I bought this product approximately 9 months ago and have used it about 20 times.  For a beginner its ease of use is fantastic.  Wings, turkey, pork shoulder are done fantastically.  I have only one complaint and that is that it generally takes longer than most online recipe's suggest to get the desired results.  I like the thermometer as it's the primary tool used for 'done-ness'.  I'm glad I purchased this product.