> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.themeatstick.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.themeatstick.com/v-forge-set/v-forge/wifi-hub.md).

# Your V WiFi Hub

The WiFi Hub is the matte-black base station that comes with your V Forge Set. It charges your Stick, extends Bluetooth range, hosts the Wired Ambient Probe, and sends cook data to the MeatStick Cloud over WiFi.

## Power

* **USB-C charging** — the included cable plugs into any standard USB-C power source.
* **Built-in rechargeable battery** — about 14 hours of active use. Plenty for a long cook without a wall outlet nearby.
* **Magnetic back** — sticks to the side of a metal smoker or grill cart for easy mounting.

## Turning it on & the button

The Hub uses one button — the same as the V Smart Base:

* **Short press** (or lift your Stick off it) — wakes the Hub.
* **Press and hold about 5 seconds** — puts it in **pairing mode** (the light fast-flashes white/blue) so the app can set up WiFi or run a firmware update.
* **Press and hold 15–30 seconds** — factory-resets the Hub (clears WiFi and settings).

> Plug the **Wired Ambient Probe** into the Hub's side port to add a grate-level ambient reading to your cook — it's what gives the V Forge Set's Core Stick its pit temperature. See [Using the Wired Ambient Probe](/v-forge-set/v-forge/wired-ambient-probe.md).

## Connecting to WiFi

The Hub connects to **2.4 GHz networks only** — not 5 GHz. Most home routers broadcast both bands; you may need your phone on the 2.4 GHz band during pairing for the Hub to find the right network.

Pairing flow:

1. Open the MeatStick App and tap "Add device"
2. Follow the on-screen prompt to put the Hub in pairing mode
3. Pick your WiFi network from the list and enter the password
4. The Hub joins WiFi and starts sending data to the cloud

Once paired, the Hub remembers the network — you don't have to re-pair every cook.

## What the LED is telling you

| LED color                | What it means                                          |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Solid blue               | Connected to WiFi, cook data syncing to cloud          |
| White                    | Bluetooth-only mode (no WiFi, app still works locally) |
| Green                    | Charging — either the Hub itself or a Stick on it      |
| Red                      | Low battery or fault — plug in to charge               |
| Fast flashing white/blue | Pairing mode                                           |

## What the sounds mean

The Hub uses the same beep patterns as the V Smart Base:

| Sound                          | What it means                              |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------ |
| Long beep                      | A cook was added                           |
| 3 quick beeps                  | Your early-warning temperature was reached |
| Continuous beeping             | The target temperature was hit             |
| 2 beeps every 3 seconds        | Ambient temperature is too high or too low |
| 2 short beeps every 10 seconds | The Hub lost connection with the Stick     |
| 1 short beep every 10 seconds  | The Stick's battery is low                 |

Press the button to silence it.

## When WiFi goes down

If your home WiFi drops mid-cook, you don't lose the cook. The Hub keeps streaming temperature data over Bluetooth to your phone whenever the phone is within range (\~30 ft). You just lose the remote-monitoring window until WiFi comes back.

## Range

* **Stick to Hub** (Bluetooth 5): **place the Hub within about 6 feet of your Stick for reliable signal — closer is better.** When your Stick is enclosed inside a smoker, grill, oven, or sous vide bath, the cooking environment weakens the Bluetooth signal significantly. Thicker smoker walls, tighter seals, water (sous vide), and metal vessels (sous vide in a metal pot, deep fryer) all compound the effect — for those scenarios, get the Hub as close as the setup allows. Set the Hub on the side panel of the smoker using the magnetic back, or right next to a sous vide bath.
* **Hub to your phone** (WiFi/cloud): unlimited — anywhere with internet. Once the Hub has the signal from the Stick, you can leave the yard.