All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Jump to a section
Bottom line: If you cook meat, you need one of the best meat thermometers. And the right pick for for you is going to depend on a few different factors—namely the degree of accuracy you need and how much you’re willing to shell out.The best meat thermometers
Ahead, discover our top picks—there are options for home cooks and professional chefs alike, each with a thorough review and breakdown of key specs.
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE It’s the choice of many professional chefs and it proved itself worthy in our testing. The simple and well-built thermometer outperformed the competition in almost every category.
Another great instant read thermometer: ThermoWorks ThermoPop
- Accuracy: ±2.0°F (±1°C) from -4 to 248°F (-20 to 120°C)
- Response time: 15 seconds
- Temperature range: -58 to 572°F (-50 to 300°C)
- Probe length: 4.5″
- Colors: White, yellow, green, black, orange, and purple
- Warranty: 2 years
If you want to stick with the Thermapen brand, you’ll be happy to know they also make a smaller, pocket-size thermometer called the ThermoWorks ThermoPop, which is also nearly as good as the Thermapen in almost every way and costs just a fraction of the price.
What makes it “nearly as good?” It’s accurate to about two degrees Fahrenheit compared to the Thermapen’s half a degree, and while it still gives a fast reading, you have to wait three to four seconds rather than one. And just like the Thermapen, the ThermoPop comes in a bunch of cool colors, is water-resistant, and has a rotating LCD display with backlight.
What’s not to like? As a person who very much loves my Thermapen, I also own a ThermoPop that I keep in the glove compartment of my car, just in case I’m making roast chicken at a friend’s house or a rental without a well-equipped kitchen. Better safe than sorry!
The best budget meat thermometer Lavatools Javelin Thermometer
Lavatools Javelin Digital Instant Read Thermometer
- Accuracy: ±0.9°F
- Response time: 4 seconds
- Temperature range: -40°F to 482°F
- Probe length: 2.75″
- Colors: Blue, yellow, red, purple, white, orange, pink, black, and green
- Warranty: 3 years
Another one of our staff favorite meat thermometers for cooking is the Lavatools Javelin thermometer. Former pastry chef and current BA associate editor Zoe Denenberg swears by this humble food thermometer for a few reasons. To start, it has a relatively speedy response time and high degree of accuracy.
While that’s not quite as fast or precise as the Thermapen One, these stats make it a strong competitor—especially since it’s a quarter of the price. The Javelin looks similar to the Thermapen One thanks to its hinged foldaway temperature probe and sleek display screen, but it’s smaller and can fit in your pocket. And where it arguably bests the Thermapen is in a clever design feature: There’s a magnet on the back, so you can store it on your refrigerator or oven door. Another thing Denenberg loves about this thermometer is its finger loop, which reduces the risk of accidentally dropping it into a pot of hot caramel, then you’ll appreciate this feature just as much as she does. All in all, you can consider this a high-quality Thermapen One dupe that’s quick, accurate, and affordable.
Different Types of Food Thermometers and How to Use Them | Chef Jayson Powers
FAQ
What is the most common thermometer used by chefs?
Do professional cooks use thermometers?
What type of thermometer do restaurants use?
What kind of thermometer is used in cooking?
What is a cooking thermometer & how does it work?
This type of thermometer is recommended for monitoring the temperature of the food while it’s cooking. As the name implies, it is safe to insert into the food while it’s cooking so you can monitor the temperature in real-time. It can provide a temperature reading in 1 to 2 minutes.
Why do you need a food thermometer?
Using a food thermometer is the only reliable way to ensure safety and to determine desired “doneness” of meat, poultry, and egg products. To be safe, these foods must be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy any harmful microorganisms that may be in the food.
Do you need a thermometer for cooking?
You can use an instant-read thermometer to take the temperature of poaching liquid, check the internal temperature of bread or cheesecake, and even quickly check the temperature of oil when deep frying (though a thermometer for monitoring over time might be better for this, more on that below).
How to use a meat thermometer?
For most types of thermometers, you have to insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat. It should not be inserted into a bone or fat as it can affect your reading. For irregular shaped foods, make sure to check in several places.