Need a good Instant Read Thermometer

weekendsmoker · December 14, 2008, 07:40:12 PM

Hi all,

I have a good Maverick box temperature probe and a cheap meat probe - to say the least I'm now looking for a good instant read thermometer. The cheap one I have produced a cheap result last night (go figure) on a BBQ prime rib. It takes several minutes to come up to temp (I now know) so I when I saw a low temp I thought the beef was miles from being done so I left it for an additional 45 min. Big mistake, it was VERY well done. When I put the probe in for the last time, I let it sit for quite a bit and the temp just kept climbing, oh well, now I know. How long should I expect it to take for the "instant" probes to give the correct temp?

Thanks.

Jason.

Mr Walleye · December 14, 2008, 07:56:56 PM

I found the same thing regarding instant read thermometers. I bought a fair number of cheep ones. There are a number of forum members that have the Thermapen. It has a 4 second read time, supposedly the fastest on the market. I don't have this exact one but another model from the same company that is equally as fast. Here's a link to the Thermapen.

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/tpen_home.html?gclid=CIS41IHcwZcCFRJexwodtgyabw

Mike

weekendsmoker · December 14, 2008, 08:02:38 PM

Thanks for the link Mike.

J.

Savannahsmoker · December 14, 2008, 08:10:38 PM

I have to agree with Mr Walleye. I bought the Thermapen and it works better than anything I have used in 40 years. Problem is, trying to get it away from my wife. Well I will just have to buy another one.

Smokin Soon · December 14, 2008, 08:25:34 PM

Thermapen here, fine choice.

deb415611 · December 15, 2008, 09:23:10 AM

Quote from: Smokin Soon on December 14, 2008, 08:25:34 PM
Thermapen here, fine choice.

Here too. Only I did not have a choice of colors where I bought mine.........

aha638 · December 15, 2008, 01:57:08 PM

Quote from: Savannahsmoker on December 14, 2008, 08:10:38 PM
I have to agree with Mr Walleye. I bought the Thermapen and it works better than anything I have used in 40 years. Problem is, trying to get it away from my wife. Well I will just have to buy another one.

I keep mine (Thermapen) in the kitchen BBQ equipment drawer - the wife can use if she is careful. Best thermometer I have ever used!

Al

kiyotei · December 15, 2008, 08:50:10 PM

thermapen is recommended by Americas Test Kitchen as the best. I have one and its great.

drano · December 16, 2008, 06:36:34 PM

+1 on Thermopen.
Got mine in the mail late last week. Why didn't i buy it a year ago when I first read about it here??

I got the High Accuracy model because its more accurate :), reads in tenth of degree, and is only about $10 more.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/tpen_white_hiacc.html
I'll be using it for summer sausage, beef sticks, etc, so figured the extra accuracy was worth $10. So far on steaks and burgers, its awesome. Even let the wife use it to see if a hot dish was warmed up.

I've got big plans for Christmas time off--break out my new Cabela's commercial grinder, make a batch of summer sausage and snack sticks. Plus it will be the first smokes with my Auber Plug N Play that I ordered Sunday, and I'll have my fan installed by this weekend thanks to all the great posts here.

Get smokin
drano

Savannahsmoker · December 17, 2008, 07:47:02 AM

Drano, man do I miss good summer sausage. Send some here

csakis · December 17, 2008, 09:16:15 AM

I think Those thermometers are a rip-off. I bought this professional thermometer on EBAY:
http://cgi.ebay.com/A-W-Sperry-STK-3016T-Digital-Thermometer-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ50974QQihZ021QQitemZ310072908216QQsalenotsupported
It is very quick and very accurate, and for less than 20 bucks, it is a bargain.
It can measure up to 2000 F, which hopefully you won't need in the smoker. ;)

csaba

Mr Walleye · December 17, 2008, 10:28:33 AM

Csakis

Looks like a good unit and good price. I couldn't tell if it comes with a TC that is suitable for checking the IT of meat or not. The other thing I couldn't find was what the read time is. Certainly looks like a good deal though.

Mike

I use this one... http://www.thermoworks.com/products/handheld/mtc.html
with the 2 second TC.

Wildcat · December 17, 2008, 12:49:35 PM

I have the exact same model that Mike has. Works great.

Smoking Duck · December 17, 2008, 01:16:03 PM

Quote from: Mr Walleye on December 17, 2008, 10:28:33 AM
Csakis

Looks like a good unit and good price. I couldn't tell if it comes with a TC that is suitable for checking the IT of meat or not. The other thing I couldn't find was what the read time is. Certainly looks like a good deal though.

Mike

I use this one... http://www.thermoworks.com/products/handheld/mtc.html
with the 2 second TC.

I'll bet you even have the zip wallet and keep it in a protective cover on your pocket on the front of your shirt ;D

I sure do like these but the cost is pretty prohibitive for me......are these absolutely necessary for sausage?

SD

pensrock · December 17, 2008, 01:47:46 PM

QuoteI sure do like these but the cost is pretty prohibitive for me......are these absolutely necessary for sausage?

I'm like you, would love to have one but a little to pricy for me.
No they are not necessary to make sausage. I've been making sausage for years and have not needed one. You have a Maverick, use that, or even one of the small thermometers they sell in grocery stores. Sure they are maybe not quite as accurate or fast reading but will get the job done. Even now since I've made a lot of sausage, most times I just know its done by feel and looks without checking temps. My sausage always get cooked before eating also. If you were going to eat it without cooking then I would make sure it was up to 145-150 or so.