Published Sunday, June 01, 2008. From Cook's Illustrated.
With an instant-read thermometer, you'll never again overcook a steak or undercook a chicken. Our test cooks use our top-rated instant-read thermometer many times a day.
PRODUCT NAME | DESCRIPTION | ACCURACY | SPEED | FUNCTIONALITY | PRICE |
Highly Recommended | |||||
Thermoworks Super-Fast Thermapen 211-476
Simply the best: fast, accurate, and easy to use. The Thermapen also has the widest temperature range (-58 to 572 degrees). |
$89.00 | ||||
Recommended | |||||
Maverick Redi-Chek Professional Chef's Digital Thermometer DT-01
While this no-frills model is rated to only 302 degrees, it accurately registered temperature in 350-degree frying oil. While every reading was accurate, the lack of a calibration function might spell trouble down the road. |
$12.99 | ||||
Recommended | |||||
Polder Instant-Read Thermometer 371
This looks much like the CDN Q2-450 (complete with short probe), but its response time was four seconds slower. Otherwise, very serviceable. |
$15.00 | ||||
Recommended | |||||
Fieldpiece SPK1 Thermometer
The swing-out pocketknife-style probe makes for comfortable high-heat temperature measurements, which the broad range permits (-58 to 392 degrees). No calibration function. |
$19.95 | ||||
Recommended | |||||
Comark PDT300 Thermometer
While this thermometer does offer a self-calibration button and produces speedy readings, its short probe and limited range (-58 to 300 degrees) makes taking temperatures for deep-frying and candy-making out of the question. |
$19.95 | ||||
Recommended with Reservations | |||||
Taylor Classic Instant Read Thermometer 9840
Slow response time is the biggest concern with this thermometer. No calibration function. |
$9.95 | ||||
Recommended with Reservations | |||||
Thermoworks RT-301 Thermometer
A relatively low maximum temperature of 248 degrees and the lack of a calibration function are drawbacks. |
$14.00 | ||||
Recommended with Reservations | |||||
DeltaTRAK 11000 Thermometer
The slow response time is this thermometer’s biggest flaw. It does, however, come with a calibration function and a probe of adequate length. |
$25.00 | ||||
Recommended with Reservations | |||||
Cooper-Atkins Waterproof Digital Thermometer DPP400W
Its relatively poor showing in accuracy tests is a practical flaw; a calibration function would help. The short (2 3/4-inch) stem is a more serious drawback, as is the slow response time. The tiny buttons can be hard to manipulate. |
$24.00 |