We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
Also, you cannot go wrong with an oil thermometer, infrared thermometer, or candy thermometer. These types are designed for measuring extremely high temperatures. Also, when deep-frying, it is important that you consistently check the temperature.
We Liked Alarms That Could Be Silenced at the Touch of a Button
We liked the ChefAlarm’s varying alarm volume, but what we appreciated more is any thermometer that would instantly silence the incessant beeping with the push of any button. We’ve all anxiously mashed buttons to quell a nagging alarm, and thankfully most of the models do that by pressing any button.
The Competition
- ThermoWorks DOT Simple Alarm Thermometer: The magnetic Dot has a very intuitive design and a great probe that’s about one-a-half inches shorter than the ChefAlarm and Smoke. It was accurate, only off by a degree in the immersion circulator and water boiling tests, but for about half as much, the winning Polder is nearly as accurate and includes a pot clip.
- ThermoPro TP20, ThermoPro TP12, ThermoPro TP16: We tested three models from ThermoPro. Designed for outdoor grilling and smoking, the two-piece ThermoPro TP20 has a large handheld display you can use to read and change temperatures up to 300 feet away, without using a smartphone. It comes with two cooking probes that had trouble reading 32°F (0°C), and while it only missed by a degree here or there over testing, it was also slow to adjust from hot to cold, needing 3 1/2 seconds to register a temperature change. The ThermoPro TP12 is like the TP20, but comes with one pointed probe and one ambient probe. Despite claims it can read down to 32°F (0°C), any time we chilled it below 50°F (10°C) the readout displayed dashes instead of numbers. We like the separate timer function built into the ThermoPro TP16, and while it was reasonably accurate, the build doesn’t feel robust.
- Maverick Meat Thermometer: Like the ThermoPro TP20, the Maverick, had trouble reading down to freezing, showing a series of dashes instead of numbers. This model was also slow to read changes from room temp to icy water, needing more than six seconds to register.
- Polder Digital BBQ / Smoker Thermometer: This accurate thermometers downfall was a touchscreen that was tricky to use with wet or greasy hands and temperature presets that were finicky to override. But, we liked the big, bright display, and kink-resistant, round cable.
- Weber iGrill 2 Thermometer: Weber’s app for their iGrill 2 device was easy to use and paired quickly with the thermometer. However, we found this model slow to register temperature changes, and it took nearly 30 seconds to go from room temperature down to freezing. What bothered us more than the 1 or 2 degrees of imprecision was the constant flip-flopping between the two temperatures.
- Lavatools Carbon LITE Wireless Remote Thermometer: For minimalists, the Carbon Lite thermometer is basically a white plastic square that is totally app-dependent. Unlike other smart thermometers that also display temperatures on the base, the Carbon Lite beams all of that to your phone—which isn’t ideal if you have spotty Bluetooth. We liked the probe’s cable, which is round and resists kinking, and the spot-on accuracy and precision, but this was the most challenging smart model to pair, and setting custom temperatures on the app wasn’t intuitive.
- Meater: The reasonably accurate Meater was the only wireless probe in the test, but the size made it hard to use for much beyond large proteins. Completely app-dependent, the 6mm probe is the largest we tested, which could be a challenge when shoving it into a thick roast.
- GrillEye and InkBird Bluetooth Meat Thermometer: These were examples of precision without accuracy: Each model missed the target temperature in the immersion circulator test by a degree, and kept the error consistent over an hour. Both models have a similar app and these were some of the easiest models to pair with our smartphone. The GrillEye’s base had one of the best stands we tested with nearly infinite adjustability, though it didnt have a magnet, and it displayed the temperature—in case you’re away from your phone. The InkBird is the best value if you want four probes.
Essential Thermometers For Home Cooks
FAQ
What kind of thermometer do you use for oil?
Do you need a special thermometer for oil?
What do you use to measure temperature of oil?
How can I tell if my oil is at 350 without a thermometer?
Do you need a thermometer for frying?
It’s obviously easier if you have a kitchen thermometer, but it’s possible to get it right without one as well. If you have a thermometer, just check the oil to find out the temperature. The ideal oil temperature for most frying is between 350 and 365 F. If your thermometer says that, you’re good to go.
What temperature should a cooking oil thermometer display?
For the cooking oil test, the ideal temperature reading that the thermometer should display is 361°F. If the thermometer’s reading is accurate to that of the temperature probe we use as a reference, then it would get a perfect score in this section. The scoring of the cooking oil test takes up 60% of the total performance score.
Which thermometer is best for oil frying?
Thermometers with a probe typically provide the most accurate reading. Deep-fry thermometers that don’t have a probe use infrared technology to provide a reading. You aim the thermometer at the oil to measure the temperature without inserting it in the oil.
How do you use a digital thermometer?
You can use your digital thermometer to check the temperature of the oil before you place your meat or other food in the oil. Insert the thermometer: Once your oil is preheated, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the food you’re cooking. Ensure not to touch bone or fat, which can give you an inaccurate reading.