Ensure Perfectly Cooked Grilled Meats Every Time
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Chloe Jeong / Simply Recipes
Theres no worse feeling than cutting into a juicy chicken breast, hot off the grill, only to find a too pink center that indicates undercooking. That’s when a good grill thermometer would’ve saved the dinner.
Luckily, there are a number of helpful grill thermometers on the market, including both wireless and probe versions, to help solve this problem. When choosing, you’ll want to think about how you’ll be using it. Will you need to continue prepping dinner inside, with an app notifying you when the steak is medium-rare? Do you want accuracy within a degree or two? Will you need multiple thermometers at the same time? These are all aspects to take into consideration.
Read on for the best grill thermometers to seek out, broken into helpful categories for every type of need, from the seasoned grill masters to the newbie chefs.
What About Infrared Thermometers
Infrared thermometers are handy devices for getting an accurate temperature on a surface area.
Usually, when barbecuing or grilling we are more concerned with monitoring the ambient temperature in our pit or grill, and the internal temperature of the meat so IR thermometers arent as useful.
They do come in handy if you need to measure the temperature of your pizza stone, as you can stand back and check the temp from a safe distance.
If you dont need to keep as safe a distance, ThermoWorks sell a version of the Thermapen which includes IR capability which is also worth considering.
Check out our full guide to the best infrared thermometers.
What Is The Best Infrared Thermometer
Best infrared thermometer for cooking. The best way to measure temperatures while cooking is to use the infrared thermometer in conjunction with the included probe for the internal temperature of the food. For high temperature, toxic or difficult to reach objects, to use of this product can be safely measured. We’ve also included information on pricing and the best ways to use an infrared thermometer around the home.
Best seller in lab digital thermometers. Its also one of the best infrared thermometers for cooking that we can find and it is fda, fcc, ce, rohs approved. An infrared thermometer is helpful for myriad uses in the kitchen, such as determining the temperature of a freezer, a refrigerator, a cooking surface, an ovens internal temperature, and more.
An excellent infrared thermometer, the etekcity 774 thermometer is for all those who want a durable yet the most accurate infrared thermometer. Below, you’ll find an outline of the elements to consider when shopping for an infrared thermometer. Here are the factors to take into consideration as you shop for your ideal infrared thermometer:
To begin with, you need to decide what type of infrared thermometer you want to use: Written by iupilon november 26, 2020 2 views. The etekcity infrared thermometer 1022d has a dual laser targeting technology, which means its more precise than a thermometer with a single laser.
Best Infrared Thermometers 2020 For NonContact
AccuMed AT2102 NonContact, InstantRead Handheld Infrared
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Transmitter What To Look For
We talked about probes as the essential part of these thermometers, however, when it comes to wireless technology, you ought to look for a good transmitter. This piece of the whole apparatus is there to gather the heat data from the probes , and to pass it to the receiver.
The first thing you should look for if you intend to stay outside for the whole duration of the cookout is a monitor screen on the transmitter unit. The receiver will surely have one, of course, but if you are standing by the grill, there is no need to hold 2 separate devices for the same purpose. If this monitor has a backlight, even better.
Another crucial thing to check is the type of wireless connection the transmitter is making. There are two major types of connection: radio and Bluetooth. Now, if the model comes with its own receiver, it would be best to go for the radio wave transmission. This type of data transfer has a wider range, almost double what Bluetooth can offer. If your phone is to act as a receiver, you are probably stuck with the Bluetooth connection, which is not all that bad, but has a narrower range than radio, and doesnt win against obstacles like walls very well. Which takes us to the next point:
Best Analog Meat Thermometer: Oxo Good Grips Analog Instant Read Meat Thermometer
If you prefer to keep it classic and leave new tech at the kitchen door, there are still tons of great analog meat thermometers in production with a tried-and-true dial display. But for our list, the OXO Good Grips analog thermometer edged ahead of others and ranked best for its large, easy-to-read numbers, stainless steel material, slightly longer probe, and a conical face that’s still readable at an angle. Plus, the dial features smart design, such as a no-slip silicone ring and flat edges that prevent the thermometer from rolling off of the counter. Like the OXO Precision Digital Instant Read Thermometer that also made our list, this model comes with a handy temperature guide, too, and even features a Celsius conversion.
Buy it: OXO Analog Instant Read Meat Thermometer, $12
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Best Overall: Taylor Precision Products Splash
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Infrared setting allows for surface temperature readings
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Splash-resistant design
This two-in-one thermometer measures internal temperatures with its probe, and it also measures surface temperatures using infrared. The probe measures temperatures up to 626 degrees, so you can use it for checking your roast, monitoring hot sugar for candy, or checking your frying oil. The probe is 5 inches long, so you can reach deep into a roast, and it folds for safe storage.
The infrared can measure -67 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use it for checking the surface temperature of a hot pan or checking food temperature in the freezer. Our reviewer also found it helpful that the thermometer came with an extra feature: It tells you when your food is at the proper cold or hot holding temperature, or when it is at a temperature that’s unsafe to eat.
The thermometer works well on dark surfaces, but can have trouble with light-colored shiny surfaces because of the reflectivity. It has an auto-shutoff and runs on two AAA batteries. It is splashproof but not waterproof, so it shouldnt be submerged in water.
Dimensions: 6.4 x 5.1 x 1 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 626 degrees | Batteries: 2 AAA
“From the step-down tip of the probe to the large display, the Taylor Splash-Proof Infrared Thermometer is well designed.” Rebekah Joan, Product Tester
Q: Why Do I Need A Meat Thermometer
A: Oh boy, why dont you need a meat thermometer? Grab a drink, take a seat, and perhaps put your phone on silent or turn it off altogether , because we are going on a journey. Nay, an odyssey.
Health
Nobody likes getting sick and a meat thermometer will prove an end to undercooked, rubbery food thats still laden with microorganisms whose sole purpose in life is upsetting your stomach at the worst possible times. By having an exact reading of the temperature, you never have to go into every meal concerned whether or not youll make it out afterward ever again.
Better Food
As well as keeping you in tip-top shape, food will also just taste better with a meat thermometer. You will never overcook food again, nor will you lose any of those precious juices by slicing open the meat to check if its done.
Okay, maybe that wasnt the odyssey we had planned, but you dont need any other reasons to buy a meat thermometer. If you love delicious food as much as you love not having food poisoning, these should be enough to convince you. The allure of better tasting, better textured and all-around more salivation-inspiring food has never been so tempting.
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Best For Grilling: Alpha Grillers Instant Read Thermometer
Serious grillers know that there are plenty of reasons to be grilling after dark, and this thermometer makes it a little easier with a backlight that makes the thermometer easy to read in any light. Simple to use, the thermometer turns on as soon as you unfold the probe, so you dont need to fumble for a switch, and it turns off when you fold the probe down again.
The ability to hold the displayed temperature means you wont have to lean over a hot grill to see it, while you can also set the thermometer to display either the minimum or maximum temperature that youve read. Our reviewer does note, however, that it takes anywhere from 4-7 seconds to get a steady reading. ” this isnt a big deal for most grillers, keep this in mind if youre looking for a split-second reading,” she says.
The body of the probe is waterproof, so you dont need to worry about steam, splashing, or cooking in the rain. A handy cooking guide on the thermometer reminds you of the proper cooking temperatures for most meats, so you wont have to remember the exact temperature of rare or medium-well. This reads from -58 to 572 degrees, so you can use it for all of your cooking.
Dimensions: 6.3 x 2 x 1.6 inches | Temperature Range: -58 to 572 degrees | Batteries: LR44
“Given its accuracy and the fact that it comes with a lifetime money-back guarantee, its a very low-risk purchase.” Rebekah Joan, Product Tester
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Mixed reviews on strength of magnet
How Do You Use A Meat Thermometer
There are a few ways to ensure you’re getting an accurate reading with your meat thermometer. Aim for the thickest part of the meat and check the temperature in multiple places. “You want the ‘sensing point’ of the thermometer to be in the middle of the meat, what we term the cold spot,” Bucknavage said. This part of the meat takes the longest to cook, so it’s the best spot to test for overall doneness.
If you are cooking a thinner cut of meat or a patty, Bucknavage suggests inserting the thermometer into the side of the meat instead of the top. Make sure you don’t hit bone when testing meat.
How do you read a meat thermometer?
Reading a handheld digital meat thermometer is simple: it displays the temperature it senses. Leave-in and probe thermometers can be trickier because they display more information than handheld ones. Our top leave-in thermometer, the ThermoWorks ChefAlarm, displays five temperatures, a timer, and the volume level.
The current temperature is what the thermometer is currently reading. The maximum and minimum temperatures are the highest and lowest temperatures, respectively, that the thermometer has registered in the meat while cooking. The low and high alarms allow you to set an ideal temperature range if the meat goes below or above that range, the alarm sounds.
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Best For Sous Vide Cooking: Meatstick X Set
Sous vide cooking has gained as much, if not more, popularity as digital grilling thermometers. With this digital thermometer from Meatstick, you can insert it in your meat for lengthy sous vide cooks, then it can be directly transferred to the grill for a heavy sear without overcooking. Its the perfect tool for precision cooking.
What Is The Best Bluetooth Grill Thermometer
The Best Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer Weber iGrill 2 Bluetooth Thermometer. Read our full review. The iGrill 2 from Weber is by far the most popular Bluetooth thermometer for viewing your grill and meat temperature on your smartphone or tablet.
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Best Smart Meat Thermometer: Idevices Kitchen Thermometer
For the at-home chef or the ultimate grill master, the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer is worth the splurge. At just shy of $100, this unit is for serious meat lovers. With its own smartphone app, it’s basically a digital sous chef. And it has dual leave-in probes so you can track two different spots on a large roast or two separate pieces of meat.
Don’t worry about memorizing temperatures for each type of meat or conversions for Celsius. The Bluetooth-connecting app does it for you. Just tap the food preset and walk away. Your phone will even send a notification when your dish is ready. Beyond the meat enthusiasts, this is a great gift for baby showers and busy parents as it allows you to step away from the oven and multitask. Unlike other leave-in units, the iDevice is incredibly sleek with a chrome rim and a magnetic backing that sticks to oven doors, range hoods, or refrigerators.
Buy it: iDevices Kitchen Thermometer, $100
Thermopro Tp25 500ft Wireless Bluetooth Meat Thermometer
As the name suggests, the ThermoPro TP25 is a four-probe thermometer with Bluetooth connectivity. Its designed to display the cooking temperature on your smartphone or tablet.
This smart thermometer comes with an impressive Bluetooth range of 495 feet. The Bluetooth works at 2.4GHz, which is the best frequency for a wireless meat thermometer.
It can easily measure the temperature between 14F to 572F degrees allowing you to ensure precise cooking.
This featureful thermometer includes a lithium battery with a USB charging port and a dual-headed USB charging cable. Lucky for you, you can quickly charge it via your laptop, phone charger, or a power bank.
It also included a convenient backlight button on the front, which stays on for 10 seconds when you press it.
This simple thermometer comes with only three buttons. You can easily switch between the Celsius and Fahrenheit units by pressing the Power/C/F button.
Moreover, you can find the Bluetooth button on the back. The Bluetooth functionality activates when you press and hold it for three seconds.
Luckily, it comes with a wire stand allowing you to place it at a comfortable viewing angle. Else, you can also hang the thermometer.
The transmitter is divided into four sections for each of the probes.
Additionally, these six inches probes come in four different colors black, blue, silver, and gold.
The meat probes come with two grill clips to prevent them from burning on the grill grates or oven racks.
Pros
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Types Of Meat Thermometers
Wireless Meat thermometers These are one of the most popular thermometers available in the market. There are no wires attached between the probe and the display. You can get accurate temperature reading on the wireless display. It is transmitted through a sender to a receiver without any wire. There are some models which has a remote control together with the display available in the market . They make a perfect meat thermometer for your kitchen.
Smoker Meat thermometers If you love to grill and barbecue then this is the perfect thermometer for you as Smoker Meat Thermometer will help you in getting the right temperature reading in such cases. These thermometers can easily connect to the wood-fueled BBQ pit or even charcoal to give accurate reading. They are usually available in wireless form as well.
Programmable Meat thermometers These are pre-programmed and set at temperatures which are actually recommended by USDA. The temperatures programmed in the thermometer are recommended temperatures at which the different types of meat should be cooked before consumption. Apart from this, you can set custom temperature as well. If you are bad at keeping track of the temperature while cooking then this could solve your problem easily.
Instant Read Meat thermometers These types of thermometers are usually used after the food is cooked and is ready to be served. You just insert the probe in the meat and you get the reading within a couple of seconds.
Best Wireless: Thermopro Tp07s Wireless Remote Grill Thermometer
If you like to put away the smartphone during your grilling sessions, but still want the tech of remote meat temping technology, the Thermopro TP07S is perfect. An alarm sounds when your food has reached its desired temp, and it offers dual probes and up to 300 feet of freedom. Its important to keep in mind that with any wireless technology, walls drastically cut down on connectivity. Another bonus of this device is a great warranty from Thermpro, which is three years when you register the product.
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Why You Should Trust Me
To find out what makes a great meat thermometer, I spoke with various food professionals, including barbecue and grilling expert Rick Browne, the creator, host, and executive producer of PBSs Barbecue America series, and the author of more than 10 cookbooks , a private chef, formerly the executive chef and head butcher for Wyebrook Farm in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, a butcher at Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, and an instructor at the International Culinary Center and Robert D. Edman, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation, New York City Department of Health.
I also consulted respected testing publications such as Wired, Serious Eats, and AmazingRibs.com.
As a senior staff writer for Wirecutter, I have written about everything from cookware sets to deep fryers. Ive also spent 10 years working in the food and restaurant industry. My research builds on the work of former Wirecutter senior staff writer Kevin Purdy, who wrote the first version of this guide in 2013.
