The end of an era as Yummly Smart Thermometer cooks its final meal

Update 02/12/24: After our initial coverage of Yummly’s grand exit, users have been reporting varied reimbursement offers from Whirlpool, which is handling the fallout. Some folks have scored an $87 Visa debit card while others have walked away with $65 or even as little as $30 depending on the age and receipt details of the thermometer.

It seems like Whirlpool is taking a somewhat flexible approach to these payouts, with the reimbursement amounts varying based on how long you’ve had the device and how much you paid for it. One user got a $65 refund after some back-and-forth, while another — armed with just a serial number — was initially offered $59 but later improved to $65. For those lucky enough to have receipts, it looks like they could end up with a little more. It’s clear that the longer you’ve owned the thermometer, the more it seems like a ‘prorated’ deal, but hey, at least you won’t be left completely empty-handed.

Original article follows:

Whirlpool-owned Yummly is officially pulling the plug on its Smart Thermometer app this December. A help page update broke the news, signaling the end of a once-promising era of connected cooking. The app’s demise marks a bitter finale for a tool that was supposed to revolutionize kitchen life, blending tech-savvy convenience with culinary precision.

What makes this situation even more puzzling? The Yummly app was updated as recently as November 1, 2024, on Android and August 14 on iOS. These updates suggested the app was still alive and kicking — until this announcement flipped the script.

Once a star in the world of recipe apps, Yummly was acquired by Whirlpool in 2017. The goal? To bring a splash of Silicon Valley innovation into kitchen appliances. The acquisition came with bold promises — like the introduction of Yummly’s Guided Cooking feature, which turned your smartphone into a sous chef. Later, the Yummly Smart Thermometer entered the scene, promising perfectly cooked steaks, baked goods, and more.

But fast forward to 2024, and the tune has changed drastically. Whirlpool laid off Yummly’s entire workforce of 75 employees earlier this year, according to The Spoon. The layoffs hinted at trouble, but few expected such a swift and total closure of the app.

While Whirlpool has yet to issue a detailed explanation, Yummly users are receiving shutdown notifications and expressing their frustration online. One disgruntled Redditor commented:

Any other Yummly meat thermometer users out there? With them “closing,” will we still be able to use the app..??

Adding to the confusion is the fact that Yummly continued updating its app just weeks before the shutdown announcement. The November Android update and the August iOS update suggest either a lack of internal communication or an unexpected decision to pull the plug.

The closure of Yummly’s app is part of a growing trend of tech layoffs and shutdowns sweeping the industry. From Automattic’s downsizing at WordPress to uncertainties surrounding Google’s Flutter UI toolkit, it’s clear the tech world is reeling from a combination of overexpansion and shifting priorities. Even the beloved Nova Launcher team faced cutbacks.

But Yummly’s story is particularly striking because it ties into Whirlpool’s bigger vision of smart home integration. If a company as resource-rich as Whirlpool couldn’t make Yummly a success, what does that mean for the future of connected cooking?

For now, Yummly Smart Thermometer owners will have to make the most of the app before December hits. After that, the thermometer’s functionality will likely become severely limited, unless Whirlpool steps in with a firmware update or third-party app integration — a move that’s doubtful given the complete workforce layoff.

Here’s the full statement announcing the end of Yummly Smart Thermometer app:

Yummly Smart Thermometer Discontinuation

As of December 18, 2024, the Yummly Smart Thermometer app will no longer be functional. This change is part of Yummly’s transition as we permanently shut down our website and mobile apps.

We understand this may impact your cooking experience, and we’re here to help. If you’re a Yummly Smart Thermometer owner, you can contact Customer Support at (844) 907-0001 for assistance and learn about available options. Please be prepared to have your thermometer’s purchase receipt and details when you reach out.

It’s been our privilege to support your culinary adventures, and we hope the Yummly Smart Thermometer made cooking smarter, simpler, and more delightful for you.