Thinking about buying the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub? We’ve tested it out and are here to tell you all about it.
In this TheGrillingDad.com review, you will learn:
- How the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub works
- Add ons to improve your smart grilling experience
- And much more!
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Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub
Weber is a long-time American grill company that has been bringing families together over BBQ meals since 1952. All grills are manufactured in Huntley, Illinois, using all US-sourced components.
Specializing in the kettle-style grill, Weber focuses on durability, workmanship, and quality in all of its products, ensuring you will always get the best grill for your buck.
But in the modern era, it can be helpful to control your grill from afar, which is difficult when you’ve got a trusty old grill you aren’t ready to replace! Weber understands how difficult the decision for a new grill is and instead has made a way to turn any grill in your possession into a smart grill!
This in-depth Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub review will give you a thorough idea of all the features, performance, warranty, and other qualities of the product so you can make an informed buying decision.
My Quick Take
I followed all of the directions to a “T” and used the app for the flip notifications.
One bite into her steak and my wife said, “You need to tell people about this, because it’s the best steak I’ve ever had!”
Not a joke or exaggeration. She said that and I agreed.
What made it so different? The app monitors the steak’s internal temp and has a countdown telling you precisely when to flip your steak based on the doneness you want.
It even accounted for the rise in internal temp while resting!
This is one of the best accessories I’ve ever used and it’s 100% worth the buy.
Characteristics of the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub
Amazing Value Smart Grilling Add-on:
- Provides step-by-step grilling notifications direct to your smartphone
- Temperature selection can be chosen based on how you would like your meat cooked (from rare to well-done)
- Provides a countdown timer, so you know exactly when your food will be ready
- Compatible with phones iOS 12.1 or later or any Android 7.0 and later.
- Compatible with ANY grill, yes, we said ANY grill.
- Rechargeable via included cable
Convenience and Feasibility:
- The app can show you the exact doneness of your meat.
- Know exactly when to flip a piece of meat
- Know how your grilling is going anywhere at any time as long as you have wifi access
- Easy setup
- Weather resistant, so can still be used during inclement weather (but should be stored indoors when not in use)
- Can be cleaned with just a damp cloth
Additional Features:
- App updates made based on customer feedback
- Colors illuminate to show how much battery power is remaining
The Features of the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub–Review
Temperature Probes:
- Attach to any grill as an ambient probe
- Set comes with two, but you can use the device with up to 4 probes when using with larger (or more) pieces of meat.
- Place probes in meat or in the unit itself ,depending on your cooking style
Smart Grilling Hub:
- Easy pairing with your device
- Powers down automatically when probes are detached
- Can be charged using included cable for unlimited uses
- Weather resistant, so no need to worry if it starts to rain while you are away from your grill
- Set easily on the side shelf of your grill
Weber Smart Hub App:
- Compatible with most phones
- Updated frequently to solve customer issues and complaints
- Can provide custom alerts
- Will provide flip alerts, as well as alerts when your food is done
- You can select the temperature based on how well-done you want your meat cooked
Suggested Add-Ons to Weber Connect Smart Hub Purchase
While we are absolutely in love with this smart hub, there are a few things we think you should consider with your purchase to make it even better!
Additional Probes
If it’s just you and your significant other, then two probes are probably fine on a daily basis. But if you have a large family, or are cooking a particularly large roast, then you will likely need more probes.
The Weber Connect Smart Hub only comes with two, but we recommend ordering an additional two that can be used with the single hub. This way, when you have guests over, everyone can have a perfectly cooked steak!
Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub Bundle
If you haven’t purchased this product yet, we highly suggest purchasing the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub Bundle, which comes with a carrying case as well as a mount. This mount is necessary if you have a kettle grill or similar with no shelf next to it to hold your Hub.
Plus, when you travel for the holidays, impress your family with your smart hub even if you aren’t using it for your grill. We think this is the perfect way to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving!
How to Set Up a Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub
Worried that the set-up of the smart hub might be technologically complicated? We promise it’s easy as pie. Here are the steps below so you can get an idea.
Step 1: Unpack Your Hub
Once the package arrives, unpack it and plug your Weber Connect Hub into its charger. Best to do this the night before so you have a full battery once you set it up.
Step 2: Download App
Download the Weber Connect App from the store on your device.
Step 3: Tap the Weber Hub
Tap the hub to wake it up.
Step 4: Pair Device
Open the App on your phone and click “Pair Device.” You should see your Weber Connect Hub pop up on the screen. Press “Pair Now.”
Step 5: Confirm Pairing
Press down on your device to confirm the pairing. Click “Continue.” At this time if a software update is needed for the app, it will commence immediately. Keep the two devices within a few feet of each other during the update. It can take up to 30 minutes.
Once the update is done, you are officially ready to turn your grill into a smart grill!
Tips for Placing Weber Connect Smart Grilling Probes
Ready to head out and buy your Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub? Awesome, we know you will love it! Keep in mind, however, that your success with this device relies mainly on your probe placement. Here are our tips for getting it just right.
Don’t Crush the Wires
For best results, your probes, whether placed in meat or ambiently, need to be put somewhere where the wires won’t be crushed by the lid. This is essential for them reading temperature properly.
We recommend threading the wire through the rotisserie slot. If your grill doesn’t have one, thread the cord carefully over the rim of the grill, and remember to set the lid gently. Don’t press down as this will crimp the wire and interfere with the temperature measurement.
Put it in the Center of Your Meat
Obviously, the area of the meat you are the most concerned about being cooked is the center, therefore, take extra care to place your temperature probe there. Just be careful you don’t over do it and press your temperature probe in so deep it comes out the other side.
Don’t Put it Near the Bone
When on a grill, meat and bone cook differently than one another, and placing your probe where it is touching the bone can give you erroneous readings. While this may not matter as much for beef, this is a huge deal when it comes to cooking chicken.
We recommend placing the probes in the thickest point of the meat with no bone. For chicken or turkey, this is typically the breast meat. For something like a pork chop, you want the probe to go in the opposite end of the bone. While you are getting used to your Weber Connect Smart Hub, it’s probably best to double-check the doneness of your meat before you remove it from the grill to ensure it is to your liking. Remember that eating undercooked meat can result in foodborne illnesses.
What Can You Cook with Your Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub?
The coolest thing about the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub is that it works with every grill and every piece of meat! No matter what you may have in mind, the Smart Grilling Hub can help you cook it to perfection! Below are the most common types of meat made using this device.
- Whole duck
- Whole fish
- Fish filets (skin can be on or off)
- Lamb Chop
- Leg of Lamb
- Rack of Lamb
- Whole Turkey (stuffed or unstuffed)
- Turkey Legs
- Turkey Breast
- Pork Shoulder (bone in or out)
- Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Belly
- Pork Loin
- Pork Chop (bone in or out)
- Whole Chicken
- Chicken Breast, Thighs, or Legs (bone in or out)
- Steak
- Flank Steak
- Flat-iron Steak
- Brisket
- Roast
- Ground Beef
As you can see, that is about every cut of meat under the sun! The only meat missing from this list is ribs. While you can use the grilling hub for ribs, they must be meaty enough to accommodate the temperature probes. This frequently eliminates beef ribs but does allow for use with pork ribs. For either of these items, always use a backup temperature probe just to be safe.
Final Thoughts on the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub
Overall, the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub is the best way to turn your grill into a smart grill. Because it is so formidable, it also makes an amazing gift for someone in your family who has difficulty cooking meat to the right temperatures.
Whether or not you get your steak perfectly done every time, the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub just makes grilling easier. Now you can walk away without having to set a timer and instead let your phone tell you when it is time for you to flip those steaks. Everyone in your household can be satisfied with their dinner thanks to this device.
Remember that the original set only comes with two probes, which, while perfect for a couple, or those who only cook large pieces of meat, you’ll want to grab two extra probes, to be able to use this device for steak night. Either way, you will not regret picking up this nifty device and taking yourself (and your trusty grill) to the twenty-first century!