The 3 Best Smoker Thermometer Takes the Guesswork Out of Cooking
Whether you love roasting a large bird or whether you are constantly grilling on the Barbecue, one of the best ways to enjoy your meal is when it is cooked properly. Sometimes you may find that the meat was too raw or worst, it may have been overcooked. Leaving the meat on the grill for too long can turn it into a leathery embarrassment which you would definitely like to hide. So what is the best way to cook meat perfectly every time? Well, the answer here is to get your hands on the best smoker thermometer.
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Smoker Thermometer
With a wide variety of grill accessories available, the smoker thermometer has become one of the must-have especially do you a lot of outdoor barbecuing. While here are plenty of thermometers to choose from, but do read on so you know how you can get your hand on the best meat thermometers so you can get amazing results.
When it comes to grilling meat, there is plenty of room for error. How many times have you felt the need to own a smoker thermometer that will help you avoid ending up with a dry, charred or bitter piece of meat?
A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of grilling and makes it easier for you to end up with a perfectly grilled piece of meat. Without a good smoker thermometer, it is nearly impossible to know when your pork shoulders or when the meat is ready to be pulled out from the smoker to rest. Knowing for sure that the meat has reached a safe-done temperature is one of the best reasons to own at least a high-quality smoker thermometer.
Why Own a Smoker Thermometer?
To get a tender, and juicy piece of meat is to cook and control the temperature well. A good quality smoker thermometer will help you enhance your cooking experience. Here are few reasons to show why having a smoker thermometer is an advantage.
- With the help of a smoker thermometer, it is possible to know the exact temperature of the meat while cooking. Never go guessing again.
- If you are relying on a mounted thermometer is not as precise as a high-quality remote thermometer, which is inserted into the meat. By putting it into to the meat, it is possible to monitor the temperature all the time and give you an accurate reading.
- It gives you the freedom to indulge in other work as the food is smoking. For example, the digital remote thermometer sends wireless signals to the receiver and displays the current temperature. The latest technology has made it even easier to have the readings sent to your smartphone, making it easier for a person to carry out different tasks or relax while the meat gets perfectly cooked.
Types of Smoker Thermometer
When looking for the best smoker thermometer in the market, there are a lot of choices to consider. For instance, there are different types of grill thermometers are ready to do the work; you just need to find the right one that suits your regular use.
Digital Probe Thermometers
These are pocket sized digital instant read thermometer which is a great buy for all those who want to take a quick temperature reading of the food that is being grilled or cooked. Digital probe thermometers are highly convenient and easy to use. They come with heat-resistant stainless steel probes which provide an accurate read out of the internal temperature during the cooking process.
Remote Cooking Thermometers
Remote probe thermometers are ideal for monitoring temperature of the smoke chamber or the meat. They give the freedom to check the temperature without opening the grill or smoker. It can easily detect temperature between 32°F and 392°F and set off a series of alarms to tell you that the food is cooked. Generally, this kind of thermometers is more pricey.
Mounted Grill Thermometers
As the name describes, mounted grill thermometers are mounted on the lid and indicate an approximate temperature of the cooking area. However, these are the least used thermometers as they do not give an accurate reading. Due to these smoker thermometers are not placed at the same level as the food thus they can’t give an accurate reading of the meat or foods.
Ideal Thermometer Placement
A smoker thermometer helps you measure the air temperature where your meat is sitting. Thus the best spot to set up your thermometer depends on the cooker, while it may take some trials to find the right spot.
Here are few practices that will help you place the smoker thermometer in the best position:
- Keep the thermometer off the grill yet close to the meat to ensure an accurate reading.
- Most smokers run hot in the mid and close to the edges, so make sure you are not getting an inaccurate reading by placing the thermometer too far from the food.
- Make sure the internal temperature probe is also not closer to the meat to avoid a false reading.
Here is a short video showing you the right way and spot to place the smoker thermometer on meat.
How to Take Care of the Thermometer?
Just like any product, if it’s not taken care properly, the shelf life can be significantly shorter, and that include a smoker thermometer too. However, with proper usage of the thermometer, you can easily get the device run for years.
Here are few steps that you should follow to ensure the longevity of your new barbecue thermometer.
- Do not submerge the thermometer in water while washing it. You must wipe off the cord with a paper towel to keep it in working condition for long.
- It does not take rocket science to know that thermometer measurement has a limit. Never use the smoker thermometer for other purposes besides measuring food temperature. Measuring heat way above food level can damage the probe.
- Store the thermometer neatly in a protective sheath and avoid crimping the wires. The cramped wire can reduce the sensitivity and thus inaccurate temperature readings.
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Features to Look For
When purchasing a meat thermometer, if possible make sure the chosen thermometer comes with the following functions:
Rapid-read capability
A large number of digital thermometers come with an instant-read feature which is important for the thermometers. However, some models can take as long as 30 to 40 seconds to display the temperature, which is a long time and the reading may be less accurate.
Timer
Some high-end smoker thermometer models come with a count-up and count-down times to help you with cooking time. Additional features can add extra cost the thermometer, though.
Clear directions
Choose a thermometer that comes with easy to understand directions, mainly look for instructions for models that comes with automatic program features.
Large display area
In the case of digital probe thermometers, a large display area is an added advantage because the interior of the oven does not offer the best lighting. Therefore, look for a model that comes with a clear display for easy reading of temperature.
Alarms
A thermometer that comes equipped with an alarm makes it easy for the user to check when the meat is fairly cooked. The alarm is a fairly standard feature, especially for wireless models. As the alarm goes off when the meat is close to completion, so you can prepare to take out the food and let it cool down for perfection. The alarm feature also helps to prevent overcooking of the meat.
Our Top Pick for the Best Smoker Thermometers
ThermoPro TP07 Wireless Meat Thermometer
ThermoPro Wireless Digital Thermometer is one of the best smoker thermometers that a person could own. It does a lot more than the simple wireless digital smoker thermometer. The device is pre-programmed with preset USDA approved temperatures for different types of meat for your convenience.
What we like about it...
- Lifetime sensor probe warranty
- Long range wireless receiver
- Temperature range of probe: 16°F to 482°F (-9°C to 250°C)
- Backlit screen show three different color
- Cooking thermometer is programmed with preset temperatures for various cooking levels
What we don't like...
- Receiver range cannot go further than 300ft.
iDevices iGrill2 Bluetooth Thermometer
iGrill 2 is a top performer and one of the best smoker thermometer that a person could own. It does a lot more than the simple digital grill thermometer. It pairs easily with your iPhone or iPad and provides charts that easily track the temperature.
What we like about it...
- Can be easily paired with iPhone or tablet
- It sends a push notification to your smart phone when the food reaches the desired temperature
- Its temperature range is wider than its competitors
- This wireless grill thermometer supports four probes
What we don't like...
- Wireless range is just of 150 feet
- It is not an instant-read digital thermometer
Maverick ET-732 Special Edition Black
The Maverick smoker thermometer is an excellent thermometer that does its work perfectly. This thermometer is packed with interesting features, which makes it a right choice. You can read more about this wireless meat thermometer reviews on shopping site like the Amazon but here is a quick view:
What we like about it...
- It easily stores temperature settings
- It comes with a backlit LCD which can be used during nighttime barbecues
- It can easily monitor internal temperature at 300 feet
- It comes with count-up and count-down timer
- Can be used for oven
What we don't like...
- The probe leads is rather short
Ivation Long Range Wireless Thermometer
The Ivation long range wireless thermometer instantly reads the temperature for accurate results. Some other advantages it comes with are:
What we like about it...
- Long range wireless receivers
- Monitored barbecue temperature
- Count-up and count-down timer
- Receiver LCD as backlight for night use
- Built-in memory function
- Two probes for reading the temperature of meat and grill
What we don't like...
- Some previous buyers commented that the user interface is not too friendly especially when setting the alarm.
Conclusion
Out of the three, I would suggest you to pick up the ThermoPro TP20 wireless thermometer as it helps you grill and smoke meat and other poultry with precision and is for everything you are grilling. The device also came pre-programmed with 9 types of meat and their various doneness levels recommended by USDA, and if needed, you can reset to your desired tastes too. No doubt, the ThermoPro TP20 is the best smoker thermometer you should buy.
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