The smaller control buttons present a very slight learning curve, and the difference b

Accuracy in temperature readings can directly impact the quality and safety of food. Food cooked to the correct internal temperature ensures they are safe to eat and taste their best. Undercooked meat can have a tough texture, whereas overcooked meat can be dry and flavorless. Being able to see the temperature inside the meat without opening and closing the oven multiple times is convenient. Extra features: We also considered whether the thermometer had extra features, like smart sensing, programming or alarm alerts. Ultimately, we decided this wasn’t a major contributing factor in our decision-making process, since accuracy of read and ease of use trumped any extras, especially when comparing models in different categories.

What Temperatures Should I Look For In My Thermometer?

The Lavatools Javelin isn’t quite small enough to attach to your keychain, but it’s close. Measuring just under 4.5 inches when closed, it’s far and away the shortest instant-read thermometer we tested. You won’t have to worry about it cluttering up your utility drawer, that’s for sure. (Although since it has integrated magnets, you can hang it up somewhere and not worry about its drawer presence at all.) The design portion of our testing indicates how well the meat thermometer is constructed and touches on settings such as minimum and maximum temperature, alarm settings and display interfaces. We also considered the button size and placement and whether the alarm sound is sufficient to hear in various situations. We also took into account the overall probe length and shape and evaluated its effectiveness for different meats and cooking applications. NutriChef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer: We liked that this model was easy to set up and use, and that the app offers a selection of presets as well as a temperature graph. We also liked the functionality of the app as a whole, but didn't like how low the alarm sound was (and we couldn't get the alarm notification on our phone). It could be a great option for someone who wants a Bluetooth-ready device but doesn't want to spend a ton. For tech-lovers who are into grilling, this sleek thermometer gives you plenty of control through an app on your smartphone. It is equipped with four probes that can be individually monitored through your phone, making it easy to cook multiple cuts of meats at once. It has an array of presets that you can use depending on what type of meat you're cooking, as well as the ability to customize settings as you wish. If you’re more of a flexitarian than a carnivore, or love to experiment with food, you’ll want a thermometer that does more than meat. Enter Salter’s Leave-In Digital Kitchen Thermometer. Thanks to its clever design, it’s as handy for sitting in a joint of meat as it cooks in the oven, as it is for jam-making, barbecuing, grilling and even deep frying. The digital unit sits outside the oven or pan and is connected to its probe by a metre-long cable. Only 2.5cm of the probe needs to be inserted, making it suitable for burgers and bangers as well as larger pieces of meat. There’s a clip and magnets, too, so it can attach to the side of a pan, barbecue or deep fat fryer.

Some over-safe thermometers come with an alarm that lets you know when the meat is safely cooked, or you can preset the thermometer unit to let you know when the meat has reached particular doneness. Another analog option from OXO, the Good Grips Analog Instant-Read Meat Thermometer didn’t live up to its promises. It took close to 27 seconds to register temperature — almost the exact same time it took the OXO Good Grips Chef’s Precision Analog Leave-In Meat Thermometer — and the temperature was consistently three to four degrees short of the target, even though it was showing that it was properly calibrated during the ice bath.Digital meat thermometers with a wide temperature range might be safe to use in oils, but you should always ask your manufacturer beforehand. Remember, frying oil usually reaches temperatures between 350° - 450° F, so you don’t want to use a product that can’t handle these extremes. What we like: Anyone looking for an affordable leave-in thermometer will love this single-probe thermometer's simplicity. Now that you’ve preheated the oven, it’s time to set the desired temperature for your dish. Depending on what you’re cooking, the temperature may vary. Be sure to consult your recipe or food safety guidelines for the appropriate temperature.