Setup Guide: Combustion App

Visualization that will change the way you cook. 

The Combustion App lets you control settings for your Predictive Thermometer, monitor temps, see predictions, and a whole lot more. 

Use advanced mode to see (and graph) temps at all 8 sensors. Seeing how the heat moves through your food can give you a whole new perspective on cooking. 

Use the Combustion Inc App to update your tools with the latest firmware.

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  • Download the app

    Links in the site footer. The app is available for iOS and Android devices (phones and tablets).

  • Update firmware

    IMPORTANT: Enable Bluetooth when installing the app.

    Remove your (charged) thermometer from its charger.

    IMPORTANT: Enable Bluetooth when installing the app.

    Remove your (charged) thermometer from its charger.

    The most important functions of the Predictive Thermometer are software-controlled. (There’s a teensy computer inside the Predictive Thermometer!)

    Updating the onboard software (aka firmware) improves the everyday performance of all the basic stuff.

    It can also unlock new, advanced cooking features. It’s like a free upgrade.

    With the app, you’ll be notified as soon as new firmware is available.

    To update your firmware, tap the Combustion logo in the app, then select "update devices."

    Choose the tool you want to update and tap the update button. That's it!

    After updating firmware on the Predictive Thermometer, please recharge it (updating uses a lot of battery).

Reference

  • Graph your cook

    Graphs will only appear when a thermometer is on and connected to the app.

    If the graph is not visible, tap one of the temperatures. Voila!

    To hide the graph, tap the settings icon (three vertical dots) and select "hide graph."

    To show/hide the lines from any sensor, tap the color-coded circle below the temp.

  • Advanced mode

    View (and graph) temps from all 8 sensors using Advanced Mode.

    You'll find advanced mode in the settings menu (3 vertical dots).

    You can toggle each sensor's display on/off by tapping the color-coded circle beneath each sensor.

    Sensors are labeled from T1 (closest to the tip) to Ambient/T8 (the sensor on the handle, under the screw).

  • Debug Mode

    Inside the settings menu (three vertical dots), you can find "debug mode."

    There's a lot of confusing stuff in there!* But if you're having trouble with one of your tools, or the network, you may find some answers there.

    If you're an engineer, you'll probably love it.

    *For instance, signal strength is shown as a negative number (dBm). For reference:

    -50 is fantastic

    -80 is OK

    -90 is marginal

    And so on.

  • Virtual sensors

    The "virtual" sensors (core, surface, ambient) override the "T" sensor markers.

    One of the lower sensors (T1-T4) will almost always be labeled "core." That's the lowest internal temp.

    With the thermometer inserted, one of the sensors will be labeled "surface." That's the actual applied cooking temp, and it shows the rate heat is transferring into the food! Super-useful, especially for slow-cooking. The internal temp will never exceed the surface temp. Hold that surface temp steady for edge-to-edge perfection.

    The "ambient" measurement shows you the temp near the food. This will often be significantly lower than the set temp of your cooking appliance. That's not an error!

    Food creates its own "weather" system because of the water evaporating - there's an invisible cloud of steam that surrounds the food, called the "boundary layer." With larger foods (e.g. roasts), this boundary layer can easily cover the T8 sensor.

    The boundary layer is your friend - it steadies the temp, keeping the food near the surface from drying out or overcooking.

    The fan in a convention oven will disturb the boundary layer - that's also why convection ovens cook stuff faster and create a crispier exterior.

    The risk of convection is (especially with large foods) that the food will tend to become overcooked near the surface.

    They're great for french fries though.