The 3 Best Oven Thermometers
By Alice Osborne
If you are tired of overcooked or undercooked food (and I am!), it’s time to buy an oven thermometer. Some tests show that an oven dial can show inaccurate measurements, even when the oven is brand new.
You can get sick from eating undercooked meat because some bad microorganisms and parasites will survive in food if it is not cooked thoroughly. A good, accurate and reliable oven thermometer will help you make sure that the oven’s temperature reaches the desired level for food safety. Experts say that food should be generally cooked at a temperature of at least 325 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid health hazards.
Also, using an oven thermometer can help save money in the long run—since there’s less likelihood of overcooking or undercooking food, there’s less waste. Some people also buy an oven thermometer to find out whether their ovens are properly calibrated. And this would be my first motivator—I’m so tired of my cookies not coming out the way they should!
As mentioned, there are several types of oven thermometers to choose from, but keep in mind that the most expensive products or brands are not necessarily the best ones out there. Some people are satisfied with the basic models that cost less than ten dollars while some others may prefer an oven thermometer that costs more but has additional features.
Some thermometers, like the Taylor oven thermometer (digital model below), have a probe that you can insert into the center of your meat, poultry or fish while it’s cooking in the oven to help you see if it’s cooked to the level you like. It’s known as a remote oven thermometer; it has a cord connecting the probe to the display. If you prefer using a wireless oven thermometer, there are also several models available.
Other oven thermometers measure just your oven’s temperature, not the temperature of the food cooking in your oven. Generally speaking, you can place such thermometers anywhere inside your oven, though some consumers find more accurate readings if the thermometer is placed near the center of the oven’s interior.
You should also consider whether an analog or digital oven thermometer is best for your needs. Some consumers find that digital oven thermometers are easier to read; however, you generally have to know what your desired temperature is.
Oven thermometers with dial faces, on the other hand, show the proper cooking temperature ranges for each kind of meat. So if you are not really sure about the temperature your dish needs to reach to be considered sufficiently cooked, then you would find this type of oven thermometer to be helpful.
And to top off the confusion, there are a LOT of brands out there, so where do you start and how do you choose? According to Stephanie Marchison, on www.best3reviews.com, here are 3 oven thermometers that have the highest ratings on Amazon.com, according to user reviews. Compare their pros and cons and see which one you feel would be the best buy for you.
Taylor 1470 Digital Cooking Thermometer/Timer: This Taylor oven thermometer has among the best reviews by consumers. The stainless steel probe is attached to a four-foot cord, which leads to the thermometer. An alarm beeps when the set time has elapsed or when the desired temperature is reached. Programming of time or temperature is done on the control panel, and temperature readings are made easy with remote display. This thermometer can also be used for grill or barbecue cookery.
Pros: It is long-lasting and durable, it can be folded flat for easy storage, it has a precise measuring capability, settings can be changed during cooking, and it includes magnets that allow flat mounting on a metal surface.
Cons: Some consumers complained that the probe malfunctioned after a few uses, and it cannot measure temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cost? $13.08 on amazon.com.
MIU Commercial Oven Thermometer: According to oven thermometer ratings, this product is one of the best out there on the market because it is inexpensive and easy to use. It comes from France and is NSF-certified. It is capable of measuring temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Made of stainless steel, it can be hand-washed; it is also dishwasher-safe.
Pros: The large dial is easy to read even through the oven window, it gives accurate and consistent readings, and you can hang it on an oven grate or have it sit on the grate itself.
Cons: One customer complained that the MIU thermometer was off by 25 degrees, and some also say the pointers of the thermometer got stuck at around 420 degrees.
Cost? $15.44 on amazon.com.
CDN High Heat Oven Thermometer: Of the three thermometers listed here, this one is the least expensive yet it has quite a number of good user ratings and reviews too. It can measure oven temperatures from 150 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and is made of commercial-grade stainless steel. The cooking zones shown on the dial are indicated by a red needle.
Pros: It is small, durable and can be placed anywhere in your oven, it provides accurate and consistent measurements, one chef said in his review that it helps him calibrate his oven’s temperature, the large dial is easy to read through the oven window, and it is inexpensive.
Cons: A customer dropped it from a height of six feet and the needle fell off, and one user said the glass front of the thermostat cracked and shattered after two days of use.
Cost? $5.55 on amazon.com.
Now a little somethin’ extra for those that read the entire article - it has nothing to do with thermometers, but I saw it on the wall in a classy grocery store in Bellingham, WA last week: "I like rice. Rice is great, especially if you’re hungry and want to eat 2000 of something." –Mitch Hedberg
