Finding the best meat thermometer for your cooking needs is one of the best things you can do as a home cook. Adding one to your kitchen gadget arsenal will make the job so much easier. After all, there’s nothing worse than overcooked or undercooked meat.
For special occasions particularly, like Christmas and other big family get-togethers, a meat thermometer can take the stress and the guesswork out of figuring out whether that perfect level of finish has been achieved.
And while we’re calling these meat thermometers, the beauty of this nifty gadget is that it can be used for a multitude of ingredients and dishes, from big cuts of meat to jam-making. So, whether you’re after a simple temperature-read thermometer or an all-singing, all-dancing probe, this gadget has got you covered. I’ve tested all the latest meat thermometers from the leading brands and you can read my reviews below, followed by some advice on how to use them. But if you are in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five.
Which are the best meat thermometers in 2024? At a glance
What to look for in a meat thermometer
Just like a great slow cooker, or a nifty pressure cooker, a great meat thermometer is likely to become one of the most useful kitchen tools you own. In fact, it’s something of a necessity, according to David Gigli, President of the National Craft Butchers association.
“A meat thermometer is less of a gadget and more of an essential,” says Gigli. “Guaranteeing perfectly cooked and safe meat, the best out there will also give you information on resting and cooking times.”
There are more than one sort. The instant-read type is great for quickly checking the temperature of meats. These come in both digital and analogue versions. Then there are wired-probe thermometers, which let you monitor the temperature without opening an oven door or grill lid. And then there are the newer smart, wireless thermometers that connect to your smartphone, or another handheld device allowing you to monitor temperatures from a distance.
Accuracy and speed are the most important factors and a good meat probe thermometer should give you an accurate reading within a few seconds, and ideally within 0.5-1ºC. While not essential, it’s always handy for a thermometer to have a wide temperature range if you’re going to use it for things other than meat.
Then, based on your preferences you should look at the readability and display functionality of the thermometer. Is it back-lit, easy to read, and has clear numbers? Some models also rotate making it easy to read from different positions. You should also consider the durability and build quality of the thermometer, for example whether it’s water resistant, that the probe is durable and easy to clean, and whether it folds away, or comes with a protective sheath. Battery life and power is also useful to consider, most use AAA or button batteries.
Additional features which are a bonus are things like a ‘hold’ function, locking displayed temperatures (ideal for awkward positions), temperature presets to help simplify cooking, alarm functions and auto shut-off to help preserve battery.
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