Chefman ExacTemp™ Smokeless Indoor Grill Review: Smart Grilling with Built-In Probe Thermometer
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
The smartest smokeless indoor grill in its class — a triple smoke-elimination system (water tray + fan + lid), a removable integrated probe thermometer with food presets and doneness settings, a capacitive-touch digital display with 60-minute timer, and an 8.5″ × 13.5″ nonstick grill plate that fits 6 burgers at once.
The Chefman ExacTemp™ Smokeless Indoor Grill (RJ23-SG-PL / B0BWY61CTW) is the most technologically advanced smokeless indoor grill in our lineup — and one of the most feature-rich in its entire price category. Where most indoor grills offer a knob, a nonstick plate, and a drip tray, the Chefman ExacTemp delivers a genuinely smart grilling experience built around its defining feature: a removable integrated probe thermometer that monitors the live internal temperature of your food throughout the entire cooking cycle. The result is perfectly cooked proteins every single time — no guessing, no cutting into steaks to check doneness, no overcooked chicken. When your food reaches the exact target temperature you set, the unit alerts you. It's a level of precision that even experienced cooks appreciate.
The smoke elimination system is equally impressive. Rather than relying on a single passive drip tray, the ExacTemp uses a three-component approach: a water-filled drip tray that cools and traps grease vapor before it can smoke, an active circulation fan that moves air through the unit, and a domed glass lid that contains smoke within the cooking environment. Chefman calls this combination virtually smoke-free — and real-world user feedback backs up the claim across thousands of Amazon reviews. The capacitive-touch digital display adds timer functionality (1–60 minutes), a live grill temperature readout (250°F–450°F adjustable in 5°F increments), a flip reminder light and audio indicator, and one-touch food presets for chicken, fish, and beef with selectable doneness levels from rare to well done. At 8.5″ × 13.5″, the large nonstick grill plate handles up to 6 burgers simultaneously for proper family-sized meals. All cooking components are UL-approved, dishwasher safe, and backed by Chefman's established 1-year warranty and US-based customer support.
Product Specifications
| Brand | Chefman |
| Model | ExacTemp™ RJ23-SG-PL (B0BWY61CTW) |
| Temperature Range | 250°F – 450°F (adjustable in 5°F increments) |
| Controls | Capacitive-touch digital display with timer (1–60 min) |
| Probe Thermometer | Removable integrated cooking probe — monitors live internal temp 115°F–175°F |
| Food Presets | Chicken, Fish, Beef — with doneness options (Rare to Well Done) |
| Smoke Elimination | Triple system: water tray + active fan + glass lid |
| Grill Plate Size | 8.5″ × 13.5″ — fits up to 6 burgers at once |
| Nonstick Coating | Heavy-duty nonstick grill plate with raised ridges |
| Flip Alert | Auto flip light + audio indicator at halfway point |
| Lid | Domed tempered glass lid |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes — grill plate, water tray & glass lid |
| Dimensions | ~20″ W × 12″ D × 5.5″ H |
| Certification | UL Listed |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty from Chefman |
| Color | Black |
Key Features
- Removable Integrated Probe Thermometer: The standout feature of the ExacTemp — an included cooking probe inserts into your food and monitors its live internal temperature throughout the entire cook. The unit alerts you the moment your food reaches the exact target temperature you set, eliminating guesswork on thick proteins like steaks, pork chops, and chicken thighs
- Food Presets with Doneness Options: One-touch presets for Chicken, Fish, and Beef automatically configure the correct target temperatures — with selectable doneness levels from Rare through Well Done for beef — so you never have to look up temperatures or second-guess cooking times
- Triple Smoke Elimination System: Three-layer approach combines a water-filled drip tray (cools and traps grease vapor), an active circulation fan (moves clean air through the unit), and a domed glass lid (contains smoke in the cooking environment) for virtually smoke-free indoor grilling
- Capacitive-Touch Digital Display: Responsive touchscreen interface shows live grill temperature, countdown timer (1–60 minutes), probe temperature readout, and preheat status — a meaningful upgrade over analog dials in terms of precision and ease of use
- 250°F–450°F in 5°F Increments: Precise temperature control adjustable in 5-degree steps gives more granular control than any dial-based grill in this lineup — ideal for cooks who want exact heat management
- Auto Flip Alert: Built-in flip light and audio beep alert you at the exact halfway point of your cooking timer, ensuring even browning and grill marks on both sides without constant monitoring
- Large 8.5″ × 13.5″ Nonstick Grill Plate: Heavy-duty nonstick surface with raised ridges delivers authentic grill marks and handles up to 6 burgers simultaneously — large enough for a family meal in a single session
- Domed Tempered Glass Lid: Contributes to smoke containment as part of the triple system, while also trapping heat for faster, more even cooking on thicker proteins
- Automatic Preheat: Unit automatically preheats to your selected grill temperature before the cooking timer begins — the display confirms when the surface is ready for food
- UL Listed & 1-Year Chefman Warranty: Industry-standard safety certification plus one of the most recognized warranties in the kitchen appliance space, backed by Chefman's US-based customer support team
What We Like
- Integrated probe thermometer is the best feature in its price class — live internal temperature monitoring eliminates overcooked or undercooked proteins entirely
- Food presets with doneness options (Rare to Well Done) make it the most beginner-friendly smart indoor grill available at this price
- Triple smoke elimination (water tray + fan + lid) delivers the most comprehensive passive-plus-active smoke reduction of any grill in this lineup
- Digital touch display with 5°F temperature increments provides precision control not available on dial-only competitors
- 60-minute countdown timer with auto preheat means set-and-forget cooking — no babysitting the grill
- Auto flip light and audio alert ensure perfectly even cooking without timing it manually
- Large 8.5″ × 13.5″ grill plate handles 6 burgers at once — true family-sized cooking capacity
- Glass lid contributes to both smoke containment and faster, more even cooking on thicker cuts
- All removable parts are dishwasher safe — quick, effortless cleanup after every session
- Established Chefman brand with UL certification, US-based support, and a solid 1-year warranty
What Could Be Better
- Water tray requires filling before each use — an extra prep step compared to grills with simple drip trays; messy if overfilled
- Probe temperature range tops out at 175°F — covers food safety ranges for most proteins but some users prefer higher targets for well-done beef
- No interchangeable griddle plate — strictly a grill plate unit, unlike the Techwood or YOHAWJAN which include a flat griddle for breakfast cooking
- Slightly larger footprint (~20″ wide) than compact rectangular grills — verify counter space before purchasing
- Water tray requires careful handling during removal to avoid spills — some users find the process fiddly after a hot cook
- Digital controls require a brief learning curve on first use — a few minutes with the manual is recommended
- Higher price point than dial-only competitors — the probe and digital display justify the premium, but budget buyers may prefer simpler options
Why This Product Is Popular
The Chefman ExacTemp has built a devoted following among buyers who have been burned (figuratively) by indoor grills that looked great on paper but couldn't deliver on their core promise. The integrated probe thermometer is the reason most buyers choose this model over competing grills — and it genuinely changes the experience. Cooking a thick chicken breast or bone-in thigh to a safe 165°F internal temperature without drying it out is one of the hardest challenges in everyday grilling. The ExacTemp solves it completely. Set the chicken preset, insert the probe, close the lid, and the grill handles the rest — alerting you the moment the protein reaches your target doneness. No cutting into the meat, no pink centers, no dried-out overcooking.
The triple smoke elimination system has also earned consistent five-star feedback. The combination of a water-filled drip tray (which cools grease vapor before it can ignite and smoke), an active fan, and the glass lid creates a more effective smokeless environment than any single-component system. Apartment dwellers who have tried multiple indoor grills report that the ExacTemp is the first one that actually kept their building's smoke detectors quiet during a full steak session. This is the grill people recommend to friends who are skeptical that indoor grilling can really be smoke-free.
The digital touch interface rounds out the package in a way that elevates everyday cooking. The 60-minute timer with automatic preheat, the flip reminder that beeps at the halfway point, and the live grill temperature readout transform indoor grilling from an approximation into a reliable, repeatable process. Buyers who cook regularly describe a noticeable improvement in consistency — every steak done to the same level, every chicken breast safe and juicy, every fish fillet cooked through without being overcooked. For a cooking style that has historically required experience and intuition, the ExacTemp makes precision accessible to everyone.
Final Verdict
The Chefman ExacTemp™ Smokeless Indoor Grill is the most intelligent and precise indoor grill in our lineup — and the best choice for buyers who prioritize cooking accuracy and virtually smoke-free performance above all else. The integrated probe thermometer alone justifies choosing this model over simpler competitors: it removes the single biggest variable in home grilling (not knowing when food is done) and replaces it with live, exact data. Combined with a triple smoke elimination system that outperforms the passive drip-tray approach used by most budget grills, a digital touch display with precise temperature control and a 60-minute timer, and an automatic flip alert for even cooking, the ExacTemp delivers a premium smart-grilling experience at a mid-range price.
Its trade-offs are minor. The water tray requires an extra prep and cleanup step. There's no interchangeable griddle plate for breakfast cooking like the Techwood or YOHAWJAN offer. The footprint is slightly wider than compact alternatives. And the probe's target temperature caps at 175°F, which covers all food safety thresholds but may feel limiting to some users. None of these are dealbreakers — they're simply the natural constraints of a focused, smartly designed product.
If you want the closest thing to a foolproof indoor grill — one that tells you exactly when your food is done, keeps your kitchen smoke-free, and makes consistent, perfectly cooked results repeatable for any cook at any skill level — the Chefman ExacTemp™ is the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the integrated probe thermometer work?
The ExacTemp includes a removable cooking probe that plugs into a jack on the side of the grill unit. Insert the probe horizontally into the thickest part of your food — making sure the tip isn't touching bone — before cooking begins. Once plugged in, the digital display switches to Probe Mode and shows a live, continuously updating reading of your food's internal temperature as it cooks. You set your target internal temperature (115°F–175°F) using the + and – buttons, and the unit alerts you with a light and sound when your food reaches exactly that temperature. You can also use the grill in Manual Mode without the probe if you prefer timed cooking instead.
What are the food presets and doneness options?
The ExacTemp has three one-touch food presets: Chicken, Fish, and Beef. Each preset automatically sets the grill temperature and probe target to the appropriate range for that protein. For Beef, you can additionally select a doneness level: Rare, Medium Rare, Medium, Medium Well, or Well Done — each corresponding to a specific internal temperature target. This means you can cook a steak to your exact preferred doneness without ever looking up temperature charts. The Chicken and Fish presets target food-safe internal temperatures automatically. All presets can be customized further using the + and – controls if you want to fine-tune.
How does the triple smoke elimination system work?
The ExacTemp uses three components simultaneously to eliminate smoke. First, the water-filled drip tray sits beneath the grill plate and catches rendered grease — the cool water prevents fat from burning on a hot surface, which is the primary source of smoke in most grills. Second, an active circulation fan moves air through the unit, helping to carry any remaining vapor away from the cooking zone. Third, the domed glass lid contains the cooking environment, trapping any residual smoke inside rather than releasing it into your kitchen. The combination of all three components is what makes the ExacTemp virtually smoke-free even with moderately fatty meats like ribeye and pork chops.
How do I fill and handle the water tray?
Before each use, slide the water tray out from beneath the grill plate and fill it with water to the indicated fill line — do not overfill. A pitcher or measuring cup makes this easier and less messy than filling it in-place. Slide the tray back in before preheating. After cooking, allow the unit to cool before removing the tray. Carefully slide it out — the water and grease mixture inside will be warm — and pour it into a sink before washing. The tray is dishwasher safe. Most users find the process straightforward after the first use; a few practice runs eliminate the initial learning curve on water levels and removal technique.
How precise is the temperature control?
The ExacTemp is the most precise temperature-control grill in our lineup. The digital display allows you to set grill temperature from 250°F to 450°F in 5°F increments — so you can set 325°F, 330°F, 335°F, and so on, rather than being limited to 5 or 6 broad positions like dial-only grills. The unit also performs an automatic preheat cycle before the cooking timer starts, ensuring the grill surface is at your exact target temperature when food goes on. The PRE indicator on the display lights up during preheat and turns off when the surface is ready.
What does the flip alert do?
When you set a cooking time using the manual timer, the ExacTemp automatically calculates the halfway point and alerts you with a flip light and an audio beep when it's time to turn your food. This ensures both sides of your protein get even contact with the hot grill surface and develop consistent grill marks. You don't need to watch the timer or set a separate reminder — the grill handles the timing for you. The flip alert works in Manual Mode; when using the probe thermometer, flipping is generally done by feel since the unit is monitoring internal temperature rather than cooking time.
Is it truly smokeless for apartment use?
The ExacTemp is the most effective smokeless performer in our lineup, thanks to its triple elimination system. For standard grilling — burgers, chicken, fish, pork chops — the combination of the water tray, fan, and lid keeps smoke output minimal enough that most apartment users report no issues with smoke detectors or neighbor complaints. Even for moderately fatty cuts like bone-in chicken thighs and ribeye steaks, real-world feedback is consistently positive. For very high-fat items like thick pork belly or heavily marbled cuts at 450°F, some ventilation is always a good idea — but compared to any other grill in this lineup, the ExacTemp handles the widest range of proteins smoke-free.
How does it compare to the Techwood 1500W Smokeless Grill?
The two grills offer different kinds of intelligence. The Techwood 1500W has an active Turbo Smoke Extractor fan (the primary smoke reduction method), dual interchangeable plates (grill + griddle), LED digital display, and a glass lid — at a lower price. The Chefman ExacTemp has a superior triple smoke elimination system (water tray + fan + lid), an integrated probe thermometer with food presets and doneness settings, more precise temperature control (5°F increments vs. 6 levels), and a 60-minute countdown timer with auto flip alert. Choose the Techwood if you want a dual-purpose grill/griddle at a lower price. Choose the Chefman if precision cooking, probe thermometry, and the best smokeless performance in the lineup are your priorities.
Can I use it without the probe thermometer?
Yes — the probe thermometer is completely optional. In Manual Mode (with the probe unplugged), you set your grill temperature and cooking time using the digital controls, and the unit cooks with a countdown timer and flip alert exactly like a standard digital indoor grill. The probe adds a layer of precision that most users appreciate once they've tried it, but it's never required. Many users prefer Manual Mode for thinner items like fish fillets, burgers, and vegetables where cooking time is more predictable, and switch to Probe Mode for thicker proteins like whole chicken breasts, thick-cut steaks, and pork chops where internal temperature is harder to estimate.
What warranty and support does Chefman provide?
The ExacTemp is backed by Chefman's 1-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship from the date of purchase. Chefman (RJ Brands, LLC) is one of the most recognized kitchen appliance brands in the US market, with customer support reachable at 888-315-6553 and customerservice@chefman.com. The unit is UL Listed, meeting North American electrical safety standards. Chefman products are widely available at major US retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Kohl's, making warranty service and replacement parts straightforward to access.