REVIEW: What does the ChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 do that other instant-read thermometers don’t do? There is something, and it’s pretty cool. Righties and lefties (hands, and politics) should appreciate the feature. But does it do its main thing well?
What is it
The ChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 is a battery powered, instant-read, probe type cooking thermometer.
What’s in the box
- Instruction sheet
- Thermometer
Specs
- RANGE: -22 to 572 °F (-30.0 to 300.0°C)
- ACCURACY: ±0.7°F (±0.4°C) from -22 to 392°F , (-30.0 to 199.9°C) otherwise ±1.8°F (±1.0°C)
- RESOLUTION: Factory set to 0.1 °
- RESPONSE TIME: 2-3 seconds (reads to within 1°F of final temperature of an ice bath in 3 seconds)
- PROBE: 4.0 L Inches,High Performance Type K Thermocouple
- DISPLAY: 47.3H X 19.5W mm | 1.86H X 0.77W inch rotates 180°, Intelligent Backlight
- SLEEP MODE: Backlight turns off in 60 seconds
- WATER RESISTANCE: IP 66/67
- OPERATING RANGE: -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C)
- BATTERY: AAA batteries
- DIMENSIONS: 6.69” H x 1.57” W x 0.9” D (169 mm H x 40 mm W x 24 mm D)
- WEIGHT: 4.4 oz with battery (125g)
Design and features (From the ChefsTemp website)
- Super Fast and Accurate: It uses top-of-the-line thermocouple technology to give pinpoint temperature readings as soon as you put in the probe. ±0.7F accuracy and 1-3 seconds readout times.
- Intelligent Backlight: The backlit motion-sensing display sleeps and wakes automatically and is bright enough for the dimmest conditions.
- 270 Degrees Rotation Probe: perfect for left-handed cooks and for reaching awkward angles.
- Auto-rotating Display: Built-in motion sensors can detect if the device is upside down and rotate the display accordingly, a simple solution for awkward angles and left-handers.
- Motion-activated Wake-up Mode: Pick up your Finaltouch X10 and it will turn on instantly, set it down to activate the battery-saving sleep mode.
- IP67 Waterproof: It has an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning it can withstand up to 1 meter of water.
- Magnetic Backing: You can stick the Finaltouch X10 cooking thermometer to any metal surface.
Installation and Setup
The batteries in the X10 came installed. I only had to swing the probe open a few degrees and it showed a temperature on the display.
Testing and observations
The X10 passed the ice water slush test perfectly. Should you wish to test your own device, there is slight temperature variation in a cup of slush water, or boiling, but if you swirl the probe it will show an appropriate average reading.
The Finaltouch X10 had a definiteness about its readings that I liked. I reviewed another thermometer that wouldn’t settle on temperature readings. It would sway back and forth from 5-15 degrees so I couldn’t tell which number was the actual temperature.
Not that a thermometer should hit a number and stay there, (you have the ‘Hold’ button on the X10 if you want that) but I get the impression of certainty with the way the X10 does its display.
I make my coffee with an Aeropress with water at temperatures lower than most coffee makers use. (That makes for less harshness of flavor.) I’ve used the X10 for dozens of days to know when our hot water pot is approaching 180 degrees. The X10 has been consistently reliable.
What I like
- Uses good ol’, easy to find, AAA batteries.
- The battery door is screwed in. That keeps the device feeling solid. I don’t expect frequent battery changes.
- Very visible backlight readout for all light conditions.
- Unique display rotation for easy reading in any thermometer position
What I’d change
- Not a thing, and I don’t write that too often.
Final thoughts
The ChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 cooking thermometer performed as designed during all my uses of it over 4 weeks. It’ll be a keeper in my kitchen. I’ll call this one ‘strongly recommended’.
Update 6/23/24
When Julie called for update comments on previously reviewed products I thought of my trusty ChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 instant read thermometer. I’ve used it 3-4 times a day since 2021 to check food temps and coffee and tea water (I go for 175-180 degrees). I’ve never changed the AAA batteries that came in the thermometer.
I decided to check on the batteries in case they might have corroded, and I found the fail point of this device. Although the battery compartment cover is held by two small Phillips screws, once they are fully loosened the case would not come open. I pried with a knife, case cutter, small flat head screwdriver and the cover would not budge. I seriously marred the plastic finish on the back of the device and damaged the gasket surrounding the battery cover.
I finally got the cover off by using force that should not have been required. The batteries had not leaked but I replaced them. And the cover will no longer seat properly when the screws are tightened. Therefore the magnets on the backside don’t work as well since the thermometer can’t sit flat against a surface now.
This issue makes this a deal-breaker for me. Yes the batteries lasted a very long time and still had sufficient power to continue for a while, but the battery compartment is not really made for convenient, problem free battery replacement.
Price: $69.99
Where to buy: ChefsTemp
Source: The sample for this review was provided by ChefsTemp.
