Raise your hand if you’ve spent a few hours cooking a meal only for it to turn out overcooked. As you’re chewing through the tough beef stew or munching on burnt hamburger patties, you may be asking yourself: how do I prevent this from happening again?
The simple answer to proper food preparation is a kitchen thermometer. There are hundreds of options on the market in this space, and each one is the master of its own domain. I compiled this run down to help you pick out the thermometer type you need depending on your circumstances and planned outcomes.
Which kitchen thermometer is the best for smoking meat?
We like the Inkbird IBT-4XS Bluetooth Wireless Grill BBQ Thermometer for Grilling with 4 Probes
The 4-Probe Inkbird thermometer is a real beauty. Attach the four probes to different parts of the meat, drop it in the smoker and let the sensors do the work. No more babysitting the smoker. Let the app monitor the smoke for you. The alarm notification sounds when the meat hits the ideal temperature meaning you can enjoy smoking comfortably from anywhere within 150 feet.
Which thermometer is best for cooking multiple pieces of meat?
Our choice is Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo Ambidextrous Backlit Professional Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
If you’ve got multiple pieces of meat on the grill, you must have a thermometer that provides quick, accurate readings. The Lavatools Javelin Pro allows users to insert the sensor into multiple pieces of meat and get a read in under three seconds. This is the type of tool you’ll need if you’re hosting a smorgasbord or want to make sure you grill the perfect steak.
A cooking thermometer for the thick stuff!
Check out KT THERMO Cooking Thermometer
Equipped with a stainless steel 15” probe, the KT Thermo Cooking Thermometer provides access to the thickest meats’ deepest parts. The sensor’s long reach means that you can get an accurate internal temperature reading without wondering if you’ve gone in deep enough.
Which is the best waterproof kitchen thermometer?
Our choice is Kizen Instant Read
Outside of giving an inaccurate reading, a kitchen thermometer’s biggest downfall is a failure to stand up to daily use. From running under hot or cold water to occasional drops, and knicks, the Kizen Instant Read thermometer is top of its class in versatility and durability. Rest easy knowing that you won’t have a faulty thermometer after a few washes or tumbles.
Best thermometer for brewing beer!
Absolutely, it’s got to be Brewcraft 12” Dial Thermometer Homebrew Brew Kettle Brew Pot
When brewing beer, the temperature of the mash matters. Optimum mash temperatures differ on the intended outcomes. One or two degrees difference in the start point can be the difference between a successful brew and a failure. In my opinion, I wouldn’t mess around with meat thermometers and hope the accuracy holds. Instead, invest in a thermometer explicitly made for brewing. In brewing, accuracy trumps time. The fifteen-second wait time to produce an accurate reading is worth it when you know that you’ve got the perfect temperature throughout the whole kettle.
Buy the best one for jelly, oil, candy, and sugars.
We recommend Defull Candy/Deep Fry/Jam/Sugar/Syrup/Jelly Thermometer
If you’ve ever had a crispy but undercooked fish fry, then the oil was probably too hot. On the other hand, a soggy batter means the oil was too cold. Deep frying requires a chef to find the goldilocks’ temperature. When trying to do that, I recommend the Defull thermometer. It attaches directly to the pot with a clip that allows you hands-free visibility of your oil temperature. The stainless steel make-up of this tool means no stress cleaning and versatility.
Best thermometer for dark spaces.
The Alpha Grillers thermometer is our general kitchen thermometer recommendation (Read Our Full Review). We love it for many reasons, but I cannot overstate the importance of the backlighting feature. The bright screen means that I can use this thermometer outdoors while camping or in an oven with a burned-out light. The huge display allows me to know the exact temperature and not guess if that 8 is a 0.
Best thermometer for baking.
Our recommendation is the OXO Good Grips digital instant-read thermometer
Suppose you’re looking to prevent over-baked cookies or dried out cakes. In that case, OXO is your choice. Trusted by thousands, OXO is the gold standard of reliability in the kitchen. This thermometer is the baker’s best friend. Found everywhere from Target to your local grocery, OXO makes quality items that America trusts. Make sure that all your brownies are perfectly chewy when you use this thermometer.
Best high-end kitchen thermometer!
Take a look at the Taylor Precision Products Splash-Proof Dual Temperature Infrared/Thermocouple Thermometer
If you’re looking to spend more than fifty dollars on a thermometer, I recommend Taylor’s Precision dual temperature thermometer. Complete with a long stem, easy-to-read monitor, infrared capabilities, and sleek storage case, this thermometer does it all. While you’re paying more than others on the list, with this, you know you are getting high-quality materials, durability, longevity, and accuracy.
