SmoulderLab is a small UK operation built around BBQ, live fire and global grilling culture. We are not a big support desk with a queueing system. We are a small team that actually cooks, and we read every email.
This page covers the most common questions. If your question is not answered here, scroll to the bottom for how to reach us.
Subscriptions
What is in Pro?
The Pro tier unlocks the multi-timer grill grid, the two AI assistants (Ask the Chef and What Can I Cook?), custom recipe creation with image search, the full session history dashboard, and the Connected Tools subsystem (currently MEATER and FireBoard probe integration). Free users get the full recipe library, all Food Tips, all Grill Method guides, the single-cook timer, and Favourites.
How much does Pro cost?
£2.99 a month or £14.99 a year. The annual option is the better value if you intend to keep the app for the year. We do not run a free trial — the free tier is genuinely useful and gives you a fair sense of the app before you commit.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Apple handles all subscription management for App Store purchases. To cancel:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings → tap your name → Subscriptions
- Tap SmoulderLab and choose Cancel Subscription
- Your Pro access continues until the end of your current billing period
We cannot cancel a subscription on your behalf — it has to be done through Apple.
How do I get a refund?
Refunds for App Store subscriptions are handled by Apple, not by us. To request one, go to reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID and follow the instructions. Apple's discretion applies.
How do I restore my Pro subscription on a new device?
Sign in with the same Apple ID you used when you subscribed, open SmoulderLab, then go to the Profile screen and tap Restore Purchases. Your Pro entitlement should reactivate within a few seconds.
Connected Tools (MEATER and FireBoard)
Which devices does SmoulderLab support?
Two brands at launch:
- MEATER — Plus, Pro, Pro Duo, Pro XL and Block models. All connect via the official MEATER Cloud API.
- FireBoard — FireBoard 2, 2 Pro and 2 Drive (channel temperatures). The Drive's fan-control surface is on the roadmap but not in v1.
More brands will follow as official, documented public APIs become available. We deliberately do not use reverse-engineered or unofficial protocols, because they can be silently broken by manufacturer updates.
My MEATER probe is paired but I see no readings in SmoulderLab. Why?
The MEATER Plus and Pro are Bluetooth-only devices. They need a phone running the MEATER app nearby, acting as a cloud bridge. Open the MEATER app on the same phone as SmoulderLab — your readings should appear in SmoulderLab within 30 seconds.
The MEATER Pro Duo, Pro XL and Block all have WiFi base units and do not need this bridge.
Why does my probe disconnect after a while?
Authentication tokens for connected tools occasionally expire. SmoulderLab is designed to detect this and prompt you to reconnect — go to the Devices screen and tap to log back in. Your data is not lost; only the live stream needs re-authenticating.
My FireBoard channel does not appear in SmoulderLab
FireBoard only reports channels that have an active probe attached. If a probe is unplugged or the FireBoard cannot detect it (loose connection, dead probe), the channel will not appear. Try a known-good probe in another channel to isolate the issue.
Allergens
Why does SmoulderLab ask me to set up an allergen profile?
Because we cover all 14 UK legal allergens, not just the top five, and we filter every recipe in the app against your profile. We ask up front so you do not see recipes that are not safe for you. You can confirm that you have no allergens, and the setup completes in two taps.
Can I cook for guests with different allergens?
Yes. Use the Cooking for guests? button on the Recipes screen. You set how many guests are coming and which of the 14 allergens apply to them, without changing your own profile. The recipe filter combines the two for the duration of that cook.
Does SmoulderLab guarantee that recipes are safe for me?
We scan every recipe's ingredients list for the 14 UK legal allergens, including common BBQ marinade gotchas where allergens hide (soy sauce contains gluten; oyster sauce contains molluscs; teriyaki sauce often contains both; many commercial rubs and seasonings contain mustard, celery and sulphites). Where we find an allergen, we hide that recipe from your filter.
Some allergens cannot be detected from ingredient names alone — particularly with branded commercial products. SmoulderLab cannot replace your own checking of labels for the specific product you are using. Where you are catering for a serious or anaphylactic allergy, please verify each ingredient yourself against your supply.
When SmoulderLab eventually sells its own-brand rubs and sauces, our commitment is never to use any of the 14 UK legal allergens as bulking agents or fillers. Many commercial competitors do; that is one reason we wrote the allergen system.
Common questions
Why does the multi-timer grill grid look strange in portrait mode?
The grid is designed to be used in landscape orientation when you are running more than four or five slots. Rotate your phone — the grid expands to fill the screen and each slot's countdown becomes much more readable.
Can I use SmoulderLab without an account?
Yes. Tap Continue without an account on the sign-in screen. Everything runs locally; nothing is sent to our servers. You will not have favourites, custom recipes or Connected Tools without an account. You can create one later from the Profile screen and your local data will be merged into it.
Why is my AI Chef chat saying I have hit a daily limit?
Each Pro user can make up to 30 AI Chef requests per day. The limit resets at midnight UK time. We set this to control costs and to encourage thoughtful use — most pitmasters never come close to it.
Can I export my cooking session history?
Not yet, but a built-in export feature is on the roadmap.
Does SmoulderLab work on Android?
Not yet. The first release is iOS only. Android will follow once iOS is stable and we have full user feedback.
Will SmoulderLab work without an internet connection?
Most of it will. The recipe library, food tips, grill method guides, single-cook timer and the multi-timer grill grid all work offline once you have signed in at least once. The AI Chef features and Connected Tools both require an internet connection.
Bug reports and feature requests
Something is broken — how do I report it?
Email hello@smoulderlab.com with:
- What you were doing when the problem happened
- What you expected to happen
- What actually happened
- Your iPhone model and iOS version (Settings → General → About)
- Your SmoulderLab version (Profile screen, scroll to the bottom)
If you can attach a screenshot or short screen recording, even better.
I have an idea for a new feature
Email hello@smoulderlab.com with the idea and what problem it would solve for you. We read everything. The features we have built so far have come almost entirely from cooks telling us what they actually need.
Response times
We aim to reply to every email within two working days, faster if we are at our desks. We are based in the UK, so working hours are roughly UK business time. If you have not heard back within five working days, please email again — your message has probably slipped through.
Reach us
Email: hello@smoulderlab.com
Privacy and data queries: hello@smoulderlab.com
Social: Instagram, Facebook and TikTok — all SmoulderLab.
SmoulderLab is operated by Woodside Advisors Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 14363008, registered office Woodside, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 1AQ.