Here are answers to the questions our Tech Support team is asked most often about the ChefAlarm.
Is the “NO PROBE” indicator suppose to constantly flash when ChefAlarm is not in use? I’m concerned that it will use up the battery when not necessary. I have tried every button and nothing makes it stop flashing.
The “NO PROBE” is a notification to let you know that a probe is not plugged in. Since it is a warning indicator, the flashing is normal. It will not use up the battery. However, we recommend turning the ChefAlarm off when not in use. This is done by pressing and holding the ON/OFF button on the back of the ChefAlarm for 3 seconds.
I tried to test my oven with my ChefAlarm and discovered that none of my Pro-Series probes are registering. The ChefAlarm’s display reads “NO PROBE”. Any ideas what’s wrong? I tested all three probes with my DOT and all are functional.
We would suggest replacing your ChefAlarm’s batteries, as a battery change typically fixes these types of symptoms. If this does not work, please let our Tech Support team know. They will be happy to help you.
I tried to use my ChefAlarm, but it won’t display a temperature. Other portions of the display are completely visible, though. What do I do?
We have found that when the battery is right on the edge of the voltage levels, it will have enough power to show the display. However, when it starts alarming, it pushes it past the threshold to a low battery status. We would suggest replacing your ChefAlarm’s batteries, as a battery change typically fixes these types of symptoms. If this does not work, please let our Tech Support team know. They will be happy to help you.
I plugged the probe into my ChefAlarm and nothing happened. The display is still dark.
First, make sure that you have turned your ChefAlarm on. The On/OFF switch is on the back of the unit. If that does not work, we would suggest replacing your ChefAlarm’s batteries, as a battery change typically fixes these types of symptoms. When a battery’s charge starts to get low, there is enough charge left to power ChefAlarm on, but not enough to read a temperature.
If this does not work, please let our Tech Support team know. They will be happy to help you.
I was recently trying to use my ChefAlarm. I was able to turn it on and set alarm temperatures, but where it should have shown the current temperature, it was simply showing “—-“. It did NOT say “No Probe and the low battery indicator wasn’t showing. Can I fix it?
When a battery’s charge starts to get low, sometimes there is enough charge left to power ChefAlarm on, but not enough to read a temperature. Changing the battery usually solves this problem.
If this does not work, please let our Tech Support team know. They will be happy to help you.
I purchased this ChefAlarm recently and although it worked well for a few months, it has now begun showing a “NO PROBE” error when the probe is clearly plugged in. Can this be repaired?
We would suggest replacing your ChefAlarm’s batteries, as a battery change typically fixes these types of symptoms. It is also possible the probe has failed. If this has happened, a new probe will resolve the issue. The most common reasons for probe failures include:
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The probe has been used outside of the recommended temperature range. Keep the probe cable away from oven elements, flames, coals, grill or oven racks—all of which can reach temperatures far higher than 700°F (even if an oven/smoker is set lower).
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The cable got too wet for too long. While the cable is water-resistant, it is not entirely waterproof (the term “waterproof” means that an item is completely impervious to water). When you’re cleaning your probe, you can carefully wipe down the stainless steel cable as long as you don’t submerge it in liquid. You might find it easiest to clean the cable with our probe wipes.
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Excessive wire kinking.
Avoid grilling or broiling with your probes unless you protect your probes, as flare-ups often involve temperatures above your probe’s specifications. We recommend that you use an instant-read thermometer—such as a Thermapen ONE.
- Learn how to prolong the life of your Pro-Series Probe.
- Learn how to protect your probes while grilling.
- Learn how to use your probes with a BBQ smoker.
Important to Know
While our probes are designed to be best of class (each batch is tested to make sure they meet our high-quality standards) and are much hardier than those of our competitors, all cooking probes—no matter what type they are, how expensive they are, or who makes them—are subject to decay over time due to the harsh conditions they are used in. Professional BBQ teams always keep extra probes on hand for this reason. Plus, it never hurts to have more types of probes on hand to handle different kinds of cooks!
As a note: Pro-Series probes come with a 6-month warranty. Please let our Tech Support team know if you need help with yours.
My ChefAlarm is displaying an LLL (or HHH) error. What does this mean?
There are several reasons your ChefAlarm may display either an LLL or HHH error, the most common being that the probe wire was damaged or broken. If your Pro-Series probe was exposed to temperatures above or below its temperature range (-58 to 572°F or -50 to 300°C), you will see one of these errors.
As a note: Pro-Series probes come with a 6-month warranty. Please let our Tech Support team know if you need help with yours.
My ChefAlarm’s audible alarm no longer works. Is there anything I can do?
We would suggest replacing the batteries to see if that resolves the issue. If that does not help, please contact our Tech Support team.
Why does my ChefAlarm keep alarming? I can’t get it to stop going off.
It sounds like one of the Low Alarms is set too high. The High Alarm sounds when the temperature of the food or environment you’re measuring rises to the high alarm set-point. The Low Alarm sounds when the temperature of the food or environment you’re measuring falls to the low alarm set-point. This feature is especially helpful when you want to make sure that the temperature of the food you’re chilling doesn’t fall too far.
Here’s another example of how the Low Alarm feature can be used:
If you want to make sure that your smoker or oven temperature stays within a temperature zone (say, between 325° and 350°), set the High Alarm to 350°, put the probe within the pre-heated environment (the temperature must already be between 325° and 350°) and set the Low Alarm to 325°. If the temperature of your smoker or oven falls below 325°, the Low Alarm will sound.
If you’d prefer, you can set the Low Alarm while the probe is still at room temperature. If you set it this way, remember to disable the alarm until the food or environment measures above the low set-point. Otherwise, the alarm will immediately start to sound.
My ChefAlarm worked very well for a long time. However, it just started reporting incorrect temperatures. For example, the temperature of a glass of ice water was 200° F. What should I do?
It sounds like it’s time to replace your ChefAlarm’s batteries. If new batteries do not resolve the issue, it is possible that the probe failed. If this is the case, replacing the probe should fix it. If these two steps don’t resolve the issue, please contact our Tech Support team so they can assist you further.
As a note: Pro-Series probes come with a 6-month warranty. Please let our Tech Support team know if you need help with yours.
My ChefAlarm is not reading food temperatures accurately. What’s wrong?
Judging the accuracy of your ChefAlarm in food or air can be difficult. The best way to verify the accuracy of a probe or digital thermometer is with a proper ice bath test. This can be done quickly and easily at home with the instructions found here.
If your ChefAlarm’s Pro-Series probe is accurate, it will read within ± 1.8°F of 32°F (30.2 to 33.8°F). If it is reading accurately in this test, you can rest assured that it is reading accurately in food and at higher temperatures.
Please contact our Tech Support team if you need further assistance. They are always happy to help.
I just received my 4″ Pro-Series High Temp Straight Penetration Probe. It doesn’t seem to be as accurate as the original (Pro-Series High Temp Cooking Probe 6″ right angle) probe that came with my ChefAlarm.
The new 4″ straight probe reads 30.6 degrees in an ice bath, while the 6″ right angle reads 32.0 degrees. Any suggestions?
While all Pro-Series probes measure temperatures within ± 1.8° F of accuracy, there may be slight differences in the results from probe to probe. If you’d like, you can use your ChefAlarm’s calibration trim feature to adjust for these small differences. Download the directions here: ChefAlarm TRIM Function Guide
Why did my ChefAlarm melt?
It is likely that your ChefAlarm thermometer (the body) was exposed to temperatures above its operating range, which is 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C). The ChefAlarm’s thermometer does not go in the oven when you use it, as high heat will melt it. It should not be attached directly to a smoker or grill.
Instead, insert the Pro-Series probe’s tip into the food you are tracking, connect the other end of the probe to ChefAlarm thermometer, and place ChefAlarm outside of the oven/smoker (usually on a countertop). Place the food in the oven/smoker and close the door on the cable. Closing the oven door on the probe’s cable won’t hurt it. Because the cable is thin, your oven, grill, or smoker won’t lose any heat
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We just received our ChefAlarm, but we cannot move the temperature settings up or down with the buttons. It constantly reads the same temperature. What’s wrong?
Could you check to see if you have removed the screen’s protective film? If you have and your ChefAlarm is still not working correctly, please let our Tech Support team know. They will be very happy to help.
How should I care for my ChefAlarm?
The directions for caring for your ChefAlarm are found here.
I have a question about the pot clip that came with my ChefAlarm. I can see how to attach it to the side of a pot, but the hole for the probe seems too small. I can only get the probe’s tip through it. What do I do?
The probe clips are designed to “catch” the probe rather than to let it slide through loosely. This feature allows you to adjust how far the probe’s tip will go into the container to which you’re attaching the pot clip.
This video demonstrates how to use the pot clip.
What is the warranty of the probe that comes with ChefAlarm? I think mine isn’t working correctly.
Pro-Series probes come with a 6-month warranty. Please let our Tech Support team know if you need help with yours.
Here is an article with great suggestions on how to prolong the life of your Pro-Series Probe.
ChefAlarm Warranty Terms
Your ChefAlarm has a 2-year warranty. You can read more about the warranty terms here.
Need More Help?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Tech Support team by emailing techsupport@thermoworks.com or by calling 1-385-330-0591.
