Using an old, metal meat thermometer when cooking on the barbecue is sacrilegious to the barbecue deities, and you don’t want to insult these mythical guardians of the grilling world. You’ve probably done it before…singed your knuckles while stabbing meat with an insufficient probe, then waiting for what seems like eternity for the needle to stop rising? There’s a better way, but if you are going to modernize, there are a few things you need to know when purchasing a barbecue thermometer in 2019.
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Speed of Recording:
Even if you have a self-proclaimed “instant read” thermometer, it isn’t instant. Still, it isn’t the 15 to 20 seconds of old school thermometers either. Some thermometers can take a reading in as little as 2 to 3 seconds. Don’t skimp on the details, and make sure your thermometer is a quick-read. If you want speed, go with a thermocouple thermometer.
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Thermocouple vs. Thermistor:
The latest and greatest barbecue thermometers are thermocouple thermometers because they are faster, more accurate, and have a broader range of measurable temperatures. With a thermistor thermometer, you won’t get accuracy within any more than one degree, and you won’t get a quick reading despite somewhat misleading claims of “instant reads.”
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Smart Features:
We are almost into the 2020s, which is no time to be constantly running back to your grill to check the temperature of your meat. Don’t cook like you’re in the Stone Age! Get a thermometer with smart features, and it will send readings to an app on your phone. This allows you to have alarms go off when your meat reaches a certain temperature, and on some models, you can track multiple probes.
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Probes:
The length of the probe of a thermometer has always been an issue, and you have to make sure the probe you use reaches the center of the meat in order to get a correct reading. However, 2019 adds more probe considerations. Some come with anti-microbial coatings. Some also come with multiple probes, so you can track multiple foods or multiple places in a large cut of meat.
What You Need to Know When Purchasing a Barbecue Thermometer in 2019
A modern barbecue thermometer makes a great gift for your loved one and a great gift for yourself. Today’s thermometers are equipped with many features not listed above. Other things to include in your choice are battery life, warranties, cable lengths, service, back-lighting, water resistance, and other conveniences such as rotating displays. Do a little research before you make your choice permanent. Thermometers have improved a lot over the past decades.
