10 Reviews: Best Internal Food Thermometer (Apr 2024)
These tiny but mighty thermometers are essential for cooking meat to perfection
by A. Wahyu · updated on · price $4.29 - $169.00 · 392 views
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Comparison Table
Nothing is worse than an overcooked steak. There are a few options if you want to avoid a dry, chewy protein that might serve as a chew toy for your dog. A meat thermometer is the most reliable method to ensure that meat is evenly cooked. A meat thermometer is one of the most underappreciated kitchen tools for eliminating guessing whether for grilling, roasting, or deep-frying any meat. Below are the best meat thermometers to consider, whether you want a glitzy new culinary toy or a tried-and-true mainstay with no learning curve. Check them out!
Table of contents
Product list
- Taylor Precision Products Analog Meat Thermometer : Best for budget
- OXO 11133300 : Labelled probe
- ThermoPro TP03 : Amazon best-seller
- Kizen Digital Thermometers : For fast reading
- ThermoPro TP16S : It has it all
- Lavatools PT12 Javelin : Operate for 4,000 hours
- ThermoWorks DOT: Attach to your grill
- ThermoPro TP20 : Check from 300 feet away
- MEATER Original : It's wireless!
- ThermoWorks Smoke X2: For hours of cooking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In case you wanna know...
How to clean a food thermometer?
Most home cooks should simply wash a food thermometer in hot, soapy water to sanitize it. If you’re tailgating or camping and don’t have access to hot water, cleaning it with a clean alcohol swab will suffice. Food thermometers should be cleaned between uses with individual alcohol wipes or with a clean, wiping cloth from your sanitizer bucket.
Which is better: an instant read or a leave-in thermometer?
Depends on what you cook. A leave-in thermometer is inserted into your meat before cooking and remains there during the grilling or roasting process, as opposed to an instant-read thermometer, which gives you the temperature of your food practically immediately. Since you don’t want to stand there waiting for a dial to move, especially if it means allowing heat to escape from your grill or oven, a quick read thermometer is perfect for grilling.
How to use a food thermometer?
1. Put it to the test. To test the accuracy of your food thermometer, use either cold water or hot water.
2. Calibrate it. To guarantee an accurate reading, follow the instructions on how to adjust the thermometer as needed.
3. Put it in the right place. It is critical to obtain an accurate reading by placing the device correctly.
4. Don’t rush it. Wait for the time suggested for your kind of thermometer.
What are the types of food thermometers?
1. Oven-safe dial thermometers can be left in place while the meal cooks. Temperature measurements take one to two minutes.
2. Instant-read thermometers should not be kept in food while it is cooking. Instead, use it to test food towards the end of the cooking process.
3. Thermometer-fork combination thermometers are useful for grilling and can read food temperatures in two to ten seconds.
4. Pop-up thermometers and disposable temperature indicators are intended for single use only.
10 Reviews: Best Internal Food Thermometer (Apr 2024)
1.
Taylor Precision Products
Analog Meat Thermometer
Best for budget
Taylor Precision Products’ instant-read model enables you to stick to the utmost in simple, familiar meat thermometers using the same under $10 analog kind your grandmother undoubtedly used. Because not every culinary utensil has to be too technical and complex, right? Plus, if you’re prone to losing or breaking things, it’s easy and affordable to replace.
I love this this because it’s easy to use! And very accurate! There are so many fancy and expensive ones out there, but this works fine at home.
Display | Analog |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 220°F |
Timer | No |
Batteries | No battery |
Bluetooth | No |
2.
OXO
11133300
Labelled probe
If you want to go old-school or are hunting for a more affordable alternative, OXO’s analog thermometer is a great option. Despite the fact that it is not digital, this thermometer reads quickly and has a clearly labeled display. It’s a bit larger than other versions since the probe can’t be tucked in, but we like how the probe is labeled so you know precisely how far to put it.
Great thermometer to have in the kitchen or at the back yard grill. Easy to use, large dial that is very easy to read and a printed chart on the case for recommended cooking temps.
by SFC_67
Display | Analog |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 220°F |
Timer | No |
Batteries | No battery |
Bluetooth | No |
3.
ThermoPro
TP03
Amazon best-seller
This budget-friendly thermometer is a favorite among reviewers, with over 91,000 ratings on Amazon (a staggering 71,000 of which are five stars). The 3.9-inch probe rotates 180o for simple and safe usage on the grill or in the oven, and the backlit LCD screen clearly shows temperature measurements. Furthermore, if the readout remains on for 10 minutes, it will automatically turn off to conserve the battery.
This is fast, convenient and accurate. Just be careful cleaning. The probe doesn't feel very secure. In an attempt to make it last, I leave it open to dry after "gently" washing and prop it so water falls away from the inside. So far, so good.
by Ang
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 572°F |
Timer | No |
Batteries | 1 AAA battery |
Bluetooth | No |
4.
Kizen
Digital Thermometers
For fast reading
The Kizen Instant Read Thermometer is advertised as a meat thermometer, but it’s also fantastic for checking the temperature of freshly baked bread. The accuracy with which this thermometer reads is one of its finest qualities. In as little as two to three seconds, the Kizen Instant Read delivers a final temperature. It can also withstand being dropped, which is another feature that makes it a less concerning gadget to have in the kitchen.
These are great! They’re accurate & easy to use and clean. Easy to set timer & the included chart is handy. We’ve had two of these and have killed both by leaving them in the rain. They get water behind the screen & become illegible. If you take care of them, they last forever.
by Sara Bronson
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 572°F |
Timer | No |
Batteries | 1 CR2032 battery |
Bluetooth | No |
5.
ThermoPro
TP16S
It has it all
This grill thermometer has it all: digital capability, a stainless steel probe, and accurate temperature readings. With temperature settings that meet USDA food temperature standards, this grill thermometer eliminates any guesswork from the grilling process. Simply set the digital timer to the desired setting and put the probe and wire into a piece of meat; an alarm will sound when the meal reaches the proper temperature.
Best thermometer. Works perfectly, I can leave it in the meat when it is close to being done and when it reaches the desired temperature the alarm goes off to let me know it’s ready! The magnet on the back sticks to my oven securely. I couldn’t be happier ?
by PghPeach
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 572℉ |
Timer | Yes |
Batteries | 1 AAA battery |
Bluetooth | No |
6.
Lavatools
PT12 Javelin
Operate for 4,000 hours
This Lavatools thermometer is ultra-fast, with a reading time of 3-4 seconds, and it can operate for 4,000 hours on a single battery. Each time you measure the temperature, the tapered 18/8 stainless steel probe reduces damage. An antimicrobial silver ion coating protects raw foods from bacterial contamination. It’s straightforward and easy to use, and the magnetic back seals the deal.
I liked this kitchen thermometer so well, I bought a second one. Works great, easy to read, and has a thin probe so you aren't leaving big holes in your steaks.
by S. Dale
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 482°F |
Timer | No |
Batteries | 1 CR2032 battery |
Bluetooth | No |
7.
ThermoWorks
DOT
Attach to your grill
We recommend the ThermoWorks Dot if you want a thermometer that you can leave inside your roast while it bakes or that you can attach to your grill or smoker. The Dot is accurate, inexpensive, and simple to use. The digital display is simple to read, and you can easily set an alarm to ring when your meat reaches a certain temperature. You’ll also like the backlit screen, which is useful for grilling outside at night.
[...] The quality of the alarm and probe is much better than what you find with brands in retail stores, it's very durable and much more accurate than others. I especially enjoy that it has both a kickstand and a magnet on the back, so there are a few options for keeping an eye on it. Really a great product.
by Matt
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 572°F |
Timer | No |
Batteries | 2 AAA batteries |
Bluetooth | No |
8.
ThermoPro
TP20
Check from 300 feet away
ThermoPro’s smart thermometer has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from over 24,900 reviewers. It comes with pre-programmed temperature recommendations for nine different types of meat. You can use one probe to check the internal temperature of the meat while another checks the temperature of the smoker. Furthermore, the included wireless digital monitor allows you to check in on your meats from up to 300 feet away.
Bought this for my adult son for Christmas and he loves it! It's easy to use, accurate and best of all, he doesn't have to leave the TV to constantly check the grill!
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 572°F |
Timer | Yes |
Batteries | 4 AAA batteries |
Bluetooth | No |
9.
MEATER
Original
It's wireless!
Another digital instant-read thermometer but this one comes with a futuristic twist: it’s wireless. You can use the MEATER thermometer to keep an eye on your meats on the grill or in the oven from up to 33 feet away. Once you’ve downloaded the MEATER app on your phone, it will operate in tandem with the thermometer’s sensors and metallic probe to provide consistent temperature readings.
the range is quite short so expect to either leave your device near the oven or grill, or use a second device over wifi to make it work longer. other than the range this thing is my new favorite cooking gadget.
by Tim
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 527°F |
Timer | Yes |
Batteries | 1 AAA battery |
Bluetooth | Yes |
10.
ThermoWorks
Smoke X2
For hours of cooking
If you’re cooking anything that takes several hours or even days to cook, such as barbeque, remote thermometers like the Thermoworks Smoke X2 allow you to check the temperature of your meal from a distance, freeing you from the grill. Both probes were precise, and the temperature will be sent to the base in approximately seven seconds. Plus, it is available in nine flattering colors!
Absolutely a great product. I have used it three times now and works wonderfully. Shows the temp in the grill and in the meat, no more guess work. I haven't tried it with the Billows but will once I get the nerve up to do a brisket for the first time. You can't go wrong with ThermoWorks X series.
by James S
Display | Digital |
---|---|
Max. Temperature | 572°F |
Timer | n/a |
Batteries | 2 AA batteries |
Bluetooth | No |
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Conclusion
A great food thermometer will help you precisely cook your meats, preventing you and your guests from getting a foodborne illness. As a result, we make sure that all of the thermometers listed above are fast, accurate, and fairly priced, with clear, easy-to-read displays. Grab one and enjoy the greatest dinners!