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Cooking/ grill thermometers are vital instruments you should keep in your kitchen. One reason is that it can greatly improve the quality of the food you make. Plus, it can make sure that the meat is cooked to its required temperature or according to your preferred level of doneness. Using a thermometer will also help ensure that the food you cook is free of harmful microorganisms that may cause food poisoning.
Unfortunately, various kinds of thermometers are available on the market, and not all of them are high-quality. That’s why you need to check the product features and quality to ensure that you’re buying an accurate and durable thermometer.
Types of Grill Thermometers
• Analog Thermometer – An analog thermometer has a probe and a round temperature display. This type of cooking or grill thermometer is simple, sturdy, and affordable. Plus, it is made of durable metal and glass, allowing it to withstand high temperature or heat. However, some analog thermometers have an ambiguous temperature display with readings fluctuating between 1 and 2 degrees variance. As such, you need to monitor the temperature display until the desired temperature is reached.
• Digital Thermometer – A digital thermometer has a probe, a fireproof cable, and a digital screen. This type of thermometer displays a precise measurement of the temperature within seconds. As such, you can use it to measure the temperature of multiple pieces of meat. However, this type of thermometer is more expensive and sensitive than an analog thermometer.
• Wireless Thermometer – A wireless thermometer allows you to monitor food temperatures even when you’re doing other things. This type of thermometer has probes, which are connected to a battery-operated transmitter that relays precise readings to a wireless receiver. Some wireless thermometers can be connected to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. Plus, they have added features like a timer or alarm. However, wireless thermometers are pricier compared to an analog and a digital thermometer.
Weber is an American company founded by George Stephen in 1893. It is widely known for selling charcoal, gas and electronic outdoor grills, and other grilling accessories. This company aims to provide its customers with high-quality and innovative products.
The Weber iGrill 2 is a wireless thermometer that you can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It allows you to monitor up to four cuts of meat, and it will notify you once the food has reached the perfect temperature. For its features, this product has two meat probes that are heat-resistant to up to 716 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has an LED temperature display, and it has preset temperature and temperature monitoring functions.
Aside from those features, the Weber iGrill2 also has a wide temperature range and a response time of three seconds. Also, its temperature reading is accurate within 1-degree Fahrenheit. The best part is that you can use this product easily. All you need to do is to use the app to select the type of meat your cooking and your preferred level of doneness. From there, you need to insert the probes and tap the start button.
Although a great product, the Weber iGrill2 has some minor drawbacks. First, this product comes with a hefty price tag. Aside from that, it can support up to four probes, but only two probes are included in the package. Lastly, it only has a wireless range of 150 feet, which is lesser compared to some models that have a wireless range of 300 feet.
Pros:
• Response time of three seconds
• Supports up to four probes
• Readings are accurate within 1-degree Fahrenheit
• User-friendly
• Has preset temperatures
Cons:
• Expensive
• Only two probes are included in the package
• Wireless range is average (150 feet)
2. Best Budget – Polder THM-362-86 Oven Meat Thermometer
Polder is a US-based company that makes items for everyday living throughout the home. This company is committed to satisfying their customers, and they work to make products that perform and deliver on their intended purpose.
Despite its affordable price, the Polder THM-362-86 can provide accurate readings – within 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Aside from that, this cooking thermometer has a temperature range of 32 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. It also features a stainless-steel probe with a silicone cord that can withstand high heat or temperature. Furthermore, this device has a built-in timer and an alarm that will notify you when your preferred temperature is reached. Best of all, it is easy to use, and it comes with a memory function that saves the last programmed temperature.
Considering its great features and price, the Polder THM-362-86 is certainly one of the best cooking thermometers available on the market. However, it has a few shortcomings. For one, its temperature display is not well-lit, so you may have a hard time reading the temperature at night or in low light conditions. Aside from that, this product is not water-resistant, so you need to be careful when using it around liquids. Finally, it doesn’t have an automatic shut-off feature.
Pros:
• Affordable
• Accurate up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit
• Easy to use
Cons:
• Not water-resistant
• No automatic shut-off feature
• Display is not well-lit
3. Best Wireless – ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Digital Thermometer
Based in North America, ThermoPRo is a company that offers topnotch products for an affordable price without sacrificing quality and functionality. Thus, it is not surprising that ThermoPro products are not only popular but highly rated as well.
The ThermoPro TP20 is a popular wireless thermometer sought by amateurs and chefs. This is not only because the company will replace the probes if it measures the temperature incorrectly. This product is also packed with great features. For one, it comes with food-grade stainless steel probes. Additionally, it is accurate within 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has a temperate range of 32 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, it has LCD screens that display all the information you need in a clear and readable manner. Plus, the remote and base are backlit, allowing you to read the temperature even in low light conditions.
This thermometer is great for beginners because it comes with nine preset temperature settings for various kinds of meat. Also, you can choose your preferred level of doneness. If you’re an experienced griller, you can also set the temperature manually. Lastly, this product has a wireless range of up to 300 feet, and its receiver features an alarm, count-up, and countdown timer.
Although a great product, the ThermoPro TP20 is not perfect. One drawback for this product is that its alarm is not loud enough. Nonetheless, this is a minor drawback, considering its advanced features.
Pros:
• Temperature readings are accurate
• Probes are made with food-grade stainless steel
• Receiver has alarm and timer
• Features USDA-approved preset temperature settings
• Backlit display screen with large numbers
• Wireless range up to 300 feet
Cons:
• Alarm could be louder
4. Best Bluetooth – NutriChef Smart Bluetooth Grill Thermometer
Located in the USA, NutriChef is a company that was created on the belief that healthy home cooking should be attainable to all. As such, this company creates high-quality kitchen tools and utensils that will make your life a little easier and healthier.
With the NutriChef Smart Bluetooth Grill Thermometer, you can monitor the food you’re grilling or cooking from afar. This benefit is thanks to its 100-foot indoor wireless range and 200-foot outdoor range. If you’re not within the range, it will notify you on your smartphone. Also, this product allows you to check the progress of your food via its smartphone app. Once the food has reached your preferred temperature, your phone will get a notification.
In addition to those features, this Bluetooth thermometer can support up to six probes. But, it only comes with two probes, which can monitor two different food items. The probes can also withstand temperatures up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit; thus, you can leave them inside the oven or grill. Moreover, this product has a large backlit LCD screen with large numbers, allowing you to read the temperature easily. Finally, it comes with 32-inch braided cables, so there’s plenty of space between the oven or grill and the LCD screen.
Pros:
• Can monitor up to six food items
• Can monitor progress on your phone
• Wireless range of 200 feet
Cons:
• Only two probes are included in the package
5. Easiest to Use – Weber iGrill Mini
Based in the USA, Weber is a company well-known for manufacturing high-quality and innovative product for grilling. This company has created some of the best cooking or grill thermometers available on the market.
Although small, the Weber iGrill Mini is a powerful and functional thermometer that delivers accurate temperature readings. Plus, it has a temperature of -22 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use it to cook a variety of foods. Moreover, you can connect this thermometer to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and it has a wireless range of 150 feet. These features allow you to monitor the food you’re cooking while you’re doing other activities. Also, its probe is heat-resistant to up to 716 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, it features preset temperature settings, temperature monitoring, and many more, which you can access via the Weber iGrill app.
With its simple and user-friendly design, the Weber iGrill Mini is one of the easiest thermometers you can use. However, this product does not have a display screen. Instead, it has an LED indicator. Its light will go from green to yellow, orange, and red as the thermometer reaches your preferred or target temperature. Also, your phone and the device will beep when the target temperature is reached. Another drawback for this product is that it can only support one probe.
Pros:
• Can be connected to your smartphone
• Accurate temperature settings
• Allows you to set timers
• Has preset temperatures
• Wide temperature range
Cons:
• Does not have a display screen
• Only supports one probe
What to Look for in a Cooking or Grill Thermometer
Accuracy
To achieve perfectly cooked meat, it is imperative that you use an accurate thermometer. Unfortunately, not all thermometers can provide precise readings. Thus, it is best to opt for a product made by a reputable brand or company.
Speed
Aside from accuracy, a thermometer that can read the temperature quickly is also a great feature, especially if you’re cooking multiple pieces of meat. In this case, opt for thermometers that can produce a reading within 3 to 10 seconds.
Wide Temperature Range
The thermometer’s temperature range is another vital feature you need to consider, especially if you want to cook a variety of meats. Typically, most cooking or grill thermometers for meat have temperatures ranging from 32 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want an all-purpose thermometer, you can opt for products with a wider temperature range.
Construction
To ensure that the thermometer is long-lasting, you need to consider the materials used to create the product. For example, opt for probes and cord that can withstand high temperatures or heat. Aside from that, the display screen should also be readable. You can choose thermometers that display large digits. Plus, it should also have a backlit screen. That way, you can still read the temperature even at night.
Wireless Range
If you’re going to buy a wireless thermometer, you need to check the product’s wireless range. Depending on your preferences, some models have a wireless range of 150 feet, while others can go as far as 330 feet.
Audible Alarm
A cooking or grill thermometer with alarm feature allows you to do other activities while you’re cooking. When the temperature reaches the set temperature, it will notify you with a beeping or buzzing sound. However, to ensure that you’ll be able to hear the thermometer when it alerts you, it is best to choose a product that has a loud alarm.
Automatic Shutoff
Most digital and wireless thermometers are battery operated. So, opting for a product with an automatic shut-off feature will help conserve batteries, especially when the thermometer is not in use.
Warranty
A warranty is an excellent indicator of quality. If a company provides a long warranty, it believes that its products are high-quality and will last long.
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