It will certainly have happened to you to take a dish out of the oven, be convinced that it was cooked, and then discover with great disappointment that it was still raw in the center. The best solution is to buy a good kitchen thermometer to avoid these small inconveniences.
Yes, easier said than done. The market offers several models to choose from. Still, to be sure of making the right purchase, a series of essential factors must be assessed, such as handling, construction materials, speed of measurement, and, last but not least, precision.
Table of Contents
How to buy a good kitchen thermometer
A kitchen thermometer in one’s culinary ” arsenal ” is essential to check the food’s internal temperature, especially considering that many commonly used appliances, such as ovens and plates, are unreliable.
Adjusting by the eye does not guarantee perfect control of certain dishes’ cooking, and it could bring the food still raw inside the table. However, if you are wondering how to choose a good kitchen thermometer without emptying your wallet, you can take a cue from our advice to easily find the model that suits your needs.
The Typologies
A food thermometer’s operation is simple and intuitive, so you do not need particular or specific culinary skills to use it correctly. However, to make a perfect control, especially in preparing specific foods where the right cooking level makes the difference.
You must also consider the type of thermometer used, given that the models available on the market are classified according to their destination d use and not the technical characteristics.
A digital insertion thermometer can be a good place to start if you are a beginner. It is generally used to control the cooking of meat or other dishes with solid consistency. A metal probe (4 to 6 inches long) is inserted directly into the food’s heart to check its internal temperature. Some are designed to be used directly in the oven, while others have a plastic structure that cannot withstand high heat for obvious reasons.
On the other hand, Probe thermometers are more versatile and can be used for almost all preparations, both for liquids and for checking solid foods’ cooking. For example, to monitor the oil temperature and obtain crispy and tasty fried food, specific frying thermometers are characterized by a clip that allows you to fix the unit on the edge of the pan to dip the probe directly into the oil.
There are more specific versions, such as thermometers for chocolate, wine and the so-called caramel meter to measure sugar temperature.
To understand the most reliable models, one must also inquire about their precision level, which varies according to the technology used. In this regard, we must distinguish between analog and digital thermometers.
The latter has a sensor that detects temperature changes by returning the result on a liquid crystal display. In contrast, in analog ones, the temperature corresponds to the point on the scale where the material inside the thermometer – usually mercury – stops.
A more innovative variant is digital infrared thermometers, which have the same functions as the previous ones but do not need direct contact with food to measure the temperature.
The temperature range. When buying a new kitchen thermometer, always remember the temperature range the instrument can calculate. Usually, professional models can detect up to 660°F, while those intended for purely domestic use report a maximum of 480°F. As for the minimum temperature, the lowest alcohol content is around 50 degrees below zero.
Since many culinary preparations require a specific degree of cooking, such as tempered chocolate or caramel, it is also important to evaluate the device’s sensitivity to temperature changes. In this regard, choosing a model with a wide temperature range and characterized by a high degree of precision is preferable. These products guarantee greater versatility of use and return very accurate results.
The materials
Finally, do not forget to pay attention to the construction materials, guaranteeing high color resistance and durability in intensive use. But, of course, it also depends on the type of thermometer and its intended use.
As already mentioned, specific models are designed for particular preparations such as tempered chocolate or caramel and consist of a mercury core protected by a very thick and resistant plastic casing that guarantees good protection in the event of knocks or falls. In contrast, others (especially those designed to measure the oven’s cooking chamber) have a metal or stainless steel structure.
As already mentioned, specific models are designed for particular preparations such as tempered chocolate or caramel and consist of a mercury core protected by a very thick and resistant plastic casing that guarantees good protection in the event of knocks or falls. In contrast, others (especially those designed to measure the oven’s cooking chamber) have a metal or stainless steel structure.
A separate discussion must be made for digital insertion thermometers, which are generally made with different materials: the probe that comes into contact with food is made of stainless steel or tempered aluminum. In contrast, the handle is often rigid plastic, making the instrument lighter and more practical.
In any case, you must always make sure that the materials used are suitable for contact with food and free of substances harmful to health, such as BPA.
Frequent questions
Where to buy a kitchen thermometer?
We can buy a good kitchen thermometer at an affordable price in one of the many specialty stores or online. Of course, the cost varies according to the characteristics of the chosen model. Still, it should not be difficult to find a good quality professional product capable of measuring temperatures up to 660°F. The cheaper models, in general, reach a maximum of 480°F.
How to do it without a kitchen thermometer?
To roughly determine the cooking level without a kitchen thermometer, you can also adjust yourself by eye, observing the signs that can make you understand if the food is ready to be enjoyed. For example, you can use the old toothpick trick in cooking in the oven, inserting one in the dish’s center.
If once extracted, it appears dry and clean. It means that cooking is finished. Putting the dish back in the oven and doing another test after a few minutes will be necessary. To check the food’s cooking, you can also observe its color or touch the surface with your fingertips, but remember that you must always use a special tool to obtain a precise value.
How to understand if the kitchen thermometer works?
To perform its task well, a kitchen thermometer must be of good quality and reliable to measure the temperature of the various dishes with absolute precision.
If unsure of your thermometer’s accuracy, you can conduct a preventive test by inserting the probe in ice or boiling water. In the first case, the unit should provide a result equal to or less than 32°F, while in the second, the measurement must exceed 210°F.
What is the temperature range of a kitchen thermometer?
Measuring food’s temperature with a food thermometer allows us to cook food flawlessly and not waste energy, prolonging cooking unnecessarily. The temperature range is generally linked to the price range of the model.
A professional or a good quality thermometer can detect up to 660°F, while products intended for purely domestic use reach a maximum of 480°F. The minimum temperature is usually around 14°F, but more innovative products can measure up to -58°F.
How much does a kitchen thermometer cost?
A kitchen thermometer is an instrument that should guarantee a long life since it is constantly in contact with fairly high temperatures. In this regard, it is always worth opting for a major investment in exchange for a professional object of good quality and better performance.
In this case, we reiterate the importance of choosing robust and resistant materials and moving towards more innovative products capable of measuring temperatures up to 660°F.
How to use a kitchen thermometer
Measuring the food’s temperature with a food thermometer allows you to cook the dishes to perfection and reduce energy consumption. In this part of our guide, we will learn about and use this practical tool in the best way to not leave anything to chance.
When a kitchen thermometer becomes essential
Even if you are not an expert cook, you will find that using a kitchen thermometer can be extremely useful, if not fundamental, for good results. Of course, many of you will think that just keeping an eye on the food’s color and respecting the recipe’s cooking times to the letter to prepare a good dish, but allow us to disagree.
First, we must consider that the temperature of the ovens, hobs, and stoves is never constant. Therefore, it could be difficult to understand ” by eye ” if the set time is sufficient to complete the dish’s cooking.
Also, temperature control becomes essential when we prepare special recipes: it is impossible to temper the chocolate, prepare the caramel, or make bread with the yeast without a precise measuring instrument.
And what about roasts? Many rely on the old toothpick trick, but since technological innovation is the master in the kitchen, a more reliable method of checking the meat’s cooking level is its control through accurate measurement of the internal temperature.
Know the cooking point of the food.
The kitchen thermometer allows preparing many recipes with surprising results. However, to make gourmet dishes, buying the best-performing model out there is not enough to learn how to use it correctly. You also need to know each dish’s serving temperature.
For example, bread, focaccias, and pizzas need a temperature not higher than 86°F for correct leavening to avoid the compound falling apart. Therefore, it is good to check the situation with a thermometer occasionally.
On the other hand, fish and white meats must reach 140°F to be cooked to perfection, while red meat depends on the taste. Therefore, if you want to eat it well cooked, we advise you to put the probe of your thermometer in the steak’s center and check on the display that the temperature reached is 160°F5, while 120°F is enough to serve it in the blood.
To obtain perfect frying, it is important to check that the oil never reaches its smoke point, which, among other things, risks irreparably altering the nutritional properties of food, also becoming rather harmful to health. Unless otherwise stated on the label, the oil temperature should be between 340°F and 360°F. Still, you must also check that it always remains constant throughout the cooking process to get tasty and crispy fried food at the right point.
Cleaning and maintenance
Nobody likes to use dirty and rusty pots and pans, which goes for kitchen thermometers. These utensils are always in close contact with food guaranteeing maximum hygiene and cleanliness.
After each use, it is good to thoroughly wash the metal probe with warm water and soap and clean the other components by removing any grease and food splashes with a damp cloth.
On the other hand, the sugar thermometers are more difficult to keep clean but fix them on the edge of a pot with boiling water to ensure that the steam dissolves any residue. If the model has a probe, you can dip it directly into the water.
Finally, do not forget to turn off the device once the work is finished to preserve battery life, and before putting it back in the drawer, carefully dry each component to prevent rust formation.
The Best Kitchen Thermometers to buy
Choosing a kitchen thermometer involves a lot of effort, especially in measuring the dishes’ temperature and accurately obtaining impeccable results.
But each model has its characteristics, so before buying, you must understand what to look for in such an object to be sure of investing your money well.
By comparing the most advantageous offers on the market, it has managed to draw up a ranking of the best kitchen thermometers so that you can easily find the model that best suits your needs.
- No More Guesswork During Your Chill Cooking Time - professional digital thermometer...
- Accurate and Sensitive Probe - 2-3s fast response time, measure food temperature from ice...
- Scientific Instruction and Easy using - We marked professional meat type and temperature...
- 2.0 inches large auto-rotating backlit display: Candy thermometer has a 180°...
- Motion sensing sleep/wake: Directly turns on and off by the probe opens or closes;...
- IP65 Waterproof & Convenient Storage: Quickly clean the meat thermometers for grilling...
- Instant Read Food Thermometer | Our instant read thermometer features a temperature probe...
- Multi-Use | From bbq thermometer to baking thermometer, our digital food thermometer for...
- Easy-Read Digital Thermometer For Cooking | Large instant thermometer dial with bright...
- [Swift Accurate] : Digital meat thermometer features a 1.7mm diameter sensitive probe that...
- [Versatile and Handy] : Thermometer is suitable for various rapid temperature measurement...
- [User-Friendly] : With thermometer, its easy to check the temperature without any fuss....
- FOOD SAFETY: Thermometer displays true oven temperature instantly to ensure safe food...
- EXTREME TEMPERATURE RANGE: Thermometer reads between 0° and 200° degrees Fahrenheit /...
- PERFECT FOR ANY KITCHEN: Designed for professional kitchens with the highest quality in...
- [Ultra-Fast and Highly Accurate] - With a precision sensor, this Digital meat thermometer...
- [Waterproof and Durable] - IP65 rated waterproof, the thermometer can be washed under...
- [Lock and Calibration] - instant read food thermometer features lock function to lock the...
- 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬: Infrared technology allows you...
- 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲: The Lasergrip's 12:1...
- 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬𝐞: Scan the surface of your object, hold down the...
- Fast and accurate: Cooking thermometer features 3.9 inches food grade stainless steel...
- Completely waterproof: The food thermometer has a IPX6 waterproof rating that means you...
- Lock function: Kitchen thermometer can lock the current temp when the probe is removed...
- Cook mode with USDA preset temperature settings: ThermoPro cooking thermometer ideal for...
- Timer mode: Digital kitchen timer features countdown and countup ability, up to 99 hours,...
- High accuracy and heat resistance: Meat probe and wire can withstand up to 716 degrees...
- Ultra Fast & Accurate Reading: The meat thermometer’s probe head measures only 1.7mm in...
- Designed for Easy Usage: Unfold the food thermometer and it starts to read immediately. If...
- A Large Screen at Your Reach: This food thermometer comes with a large backlight screen,...
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