Before thinking about which cooking thermometer is the best, you may ask, “Why would any cook need a thermometer?” There are many reasons why, and now that we’ve done the research, we’re going to discuss them in this article.
See also:
Once you’ve learned about cooking thermometers and their value, you’ll want to try cooking and using a thermometer to improve your results. We also provide information and reviews for the top 5 cooking thermometers available to purchase.
Read on and find out about the rules of cooking meats, how to tell if your meat is done, and the benefits of having a cooking thermometer.
Our Pick: The ThermoPro TP20 finds the temperature of your food within seconds and it’s highly accurate!
Top Cooking Thermometers for The Money
Contents
ThermoPro TP20
The ThermoPro Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Thermometer features a Dual Probe to keep track of the temperature on two food items in your oven.
Or, use one probe for the food and one to stay in the oven keeping an eye on the temperature inside.
Accurate cooking temperatures are essential for successful food and this thermometer has a mobile receiver so you can be kept updated on the food’s internal temperature while you visit with friends and family, watch TV, or lounge outside.
Pros
- Hands free monitoring of food temperature
- Two separate probes
- LCD shows food temperature and inside oven
- Preset temperatures for 9 types of meat recommended by USDA
Cons
- Although it is highly re commended, some customers found discrepancies in the temperature readings.
Etekcity Lasergrip 774
This Etekcity Lasergrip Digital Infrared Thermometer can be used for indoor and outdoor cooking. Its advantage is in the laser-sharp accuracy to measure temperatures from a distance away from your stove, oven, or grill.
This thermometer can measure extreme heat and cold from 716 degrees to as low as -58 degrees! Use this to measure internal temperatures of an oven, electronics, car parts, and more.
You can measure the internal temperature of foods without making contact; let the laser do the work! This is a cooking and mechanical thermometer with endless uses!
Pros
- Infrared Technology
- Distance to Spot Ratio is 12:1, further than most IR Thermometers
- Laser gives you ability to measure an exact space
- LCD screen is backlit
- Auto-Off function to extend the battery life
- Low Battery Indicator
Cons
- 9V battery may be hard to fit in battery compartment
Lavatools PT12
Javelin Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer reads food temperatures fast, precisely, and it includes many additional features.
The Javelin exterior is infused with Zeomic silver which is an antimicrobial element that inhibits 99.9% of pathogens. It can provide an accurate temperature reading in 4 seconds and the temperature sensor is held inside an 18/8 food grade stainless probe.
A magnet is built in to the body so you can store your thermometer in a convenient place near your stove such as the refrigerator or oven. This thermometer can be used not only for meat but for fryers, candy cooking, making bread, and for home brewing.
Pros
- 100% BPA-free polycarbonate body
- Large 1.4″ easy-to-read display
- Splash-proof construction
- Takes 1 1x CR2032 lithium battery
- Battery Life: 4,000+ hours
- Auto-Off: 60 min
- °F/°C Configurable
Cons
- Several customers complained this thermometer only lasted about a year before breaking…
Habor Digital Meat Thermometer
The Habor Digital Meat Thermometer takes temperature readings of food within 4 to 6 seconds. It’s accurate and handles any foods such as meats, liquids, bread, candy, and more.
It has a 5.9 inch probe with a tapered, slender tip so there will be no large holes in your food, keeping the juices where they belong. Its extra length also protects you from burning your hands or wrist.
This thermometer works great for a holiday turkey, roast leg of lamb, candy making, measuring baby’s bath water, and measuring the temperature of your baby’s milk. Become a master chef with this thermometer! It comes with a handy storage case.
Pros
- Hold Function for Kitchen Cooking
- LCD display shows accurate temp results in 10 seconds
- Auto shut down after 10 minutes, to save battery life
- °F/°C Configurable
Cons
- Customers complained about the small LCD display.
ThermoPro TP03A
The ThermoPro Food Cooking Thermometer finds the temperature of your food within seconds and it’s highly accurate!
The probe folds up for easy storage and with one push of a button, it pops open for quick temperature checks. Folding the probe back protects it and helps keep it clean.
If you aren’t using the thermometer after 10 minutes, it automatically powers off to save battery power. The crystal clear LCD display shows the temperature and you can choose between Celsius/Fahrenheit.
Having this easy to use cooking thermometer prevents overcooking and undercooking of all types of foods from meats to cakes, breads, milk, candy mixes, and more! Cook like a professional with this food thermometer made with a STEP-DOWN probe tip for better accuracy.
The probe is 3.8″ long and made with food grade stainless steel. This food cooking thermometer takes 1 AAA battery. Never guess your food temperature again!
Why Should You Use a Cooking Thermometer?
Cooking thermometers have evolved from the glass tube with mercury in it to digital and remote thermometers with many uses.
There are quite a few reasons to use a cooking thermometer with cooking, baby care, auto repair, and more. A good cooking thermometer has many valuable uses.
Food Safety
It’s almost impossible to tell if certain meats, roasts, and whole turkeys are cooked to the proper temperature. Not only do you want your food to taste good, but you want it to be safe.
Even if a hamburger is brown in the middle, it may not be done. Washing your hands before you handle food prevents food borne illness and using a cooking thermometer checks the food for proper cooking to eliminate the risk of bacteria from undercooking meats and eggs.
Safety for Your Baby
A food thermometer can multi task to check your baby’s bath water and the temperature of their milk.
The accuracy of digital cooking thermometers ensures you’re not scalding your baby’s milk or putting them at risk in a bath of hot water. The Habor Digital Meat Thermometer has a long probe to help reach into a bath tub or baby bath.
Creating Delicious Meals
No matter how much experience you have with cooking, there is always the chance the temperature of your food may be too low or too high.
Temperature affects flavor and overcooking certain meats removed the juices and taste. Overcooking seafood results in rubbery and dry main courses.
With a cooking thermometer you can monitor the internal temperature of your food to not only prevent unsafe bacteria, but to retain the flavor of your food.
Overcooking meat makes it tough because the fat, protein, and sugar molecules in the muscle become fused making the meat hard to cut, hard to chew, and hard to digest.
If you use very high temperatures to cook muscle meat longer than searing, the meat can actually toughen so much that it can contain carcinogens.
Bread, pies, cakes, casseroles, egg dishes and more come out better cooked, fluffier and airy, and better tasting when you monitor the temperature during cooking. And you can monitor two items at the same time with the ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer.
Tips for Using a Cooking Thermometer
- Always insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the food.
- Keep the thermometer probe tip away from bones. It will affect the reading.
- Sanitize the thermometer after each use by dipping it in boiling water or using a food-safe sanitizer.
- Do not leave your digital thermometer in the oven unless it is specifically made for oven use.
- Unless your thermometer has an auto off feature, turn it off after each use to preserve the battery.
- Do not submerge in water or clean in a dishwasher.
Meat Cooking Temperature Guide
| MEAT | SAFE TEMP | RARE | MED-RARE | MEDIUM | MED-WELL | WELL DONE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef | N/A | 115° F 40° C | 130° F 55° C | 140° F 60° C | 150° F 65° C | 155° F 70° C |
| Ground Beef | 160° F 70° C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lamb | N/A | N/A | 130° F 55° C | 140° F 60° C | 150° F 65° C | 155° F 70° C |
| Ground Lamb | 160° F 70° C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Poultry | 160° F 70° C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pork | N/A | N/A | N/A | 145° F 65° C | N/A | 160° F 70° C |
| Ground Pork | 160° F 70° C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
A Cooking Thermometer Should Be in Every Kitchen!
There is a value and convenience to having a cooking thermometer in your kitchen. Considering the safety of your food and family, the success of your recipes, and the multiples uses a food thermometer provides, it’s an affordable and useful tool.
If you want to be a successful cook and prefer the best, buy our Top Pick, the ThermoPro TP03A Digital Food Cooking Thermometer.
Digital thermometers for cooking instantly read the temperature so that you can adjust the heat during your cooking. An extra degree or two and custard will curdle! Or a few degrees hotter will overcook shrimp making them rubbery instead of tender and juicy.
Using the best cooking thermometer is the only way to cook safely and ensure your meals will be moist, tender, juicy, tasty, and perfectly cooked! Now that you’ve read our reviews you can purchase your favorite cooking thermometer confident that you made a good choice!
