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Best Wireless
Meater Thermometer
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Summary
The Bluetooth technology of the Meater Plus Thermometer lets you monitor temps from up to 33 feet away so you can work on other tasks.
Best for Smoking
MeatStick X Set Wireless Meat Thermometer
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Summary
The slim probe has a built-in transmitter, letting you monitor the temperature of your favorite charcuterie without losing any heat.
Best Budget
Rubbermaid Instant Read Meat Thermometer
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Summary
Rubbermaid’s Instant Read Thermometer delivers simplicity and accuracy in an extremely affordable device.
Hunters wanting more out of their wild game eating experience need to pay attention to cooking temperatures, which is where meat thermometers come in. The secret to perfectly cooked meat is knowing when to take it off a heat source, whether you’re using a grill, a deep fryer, an oven, or a pellet smoker
.
Meat thermometers provide exact internal temperatures, allowing for consistent results on the table. Professional chefs use them for a reason, and you can achieve similar results by utilizing one. They run from simple to elaborate. While the basic dial thermometer will still get the job done, newer models feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity that allow you to monitor your meal from a different room—or a different state. Below are some of the best meat thermometers that will help improve your cooking.
**Best Wireless: Original Meater Thermometer
**
**Best for the Grill: ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer
**
**Best Instant Read: BREEKET 2-in-1 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
**
**Best for Smoking: MeatStick X Set Wireless Meat Thermometer
**
**Best Budget: Rubbermaid Instant Read Meat Thermometer
**
How We Picked the Best Meat Thermometers
Meat thermometers need to be precise and easy to use. There is a wide range of options, so knowing your intended uses will ensure you get the right thermometer for all your needs. Food safety is always a concern, so watch for food-grade materials that are easy to clean and/or dishwasher safe. Features like preprogrammed settings for different meats and doneness take the guesswork out of cooking the perfect steak.
Ease of use: A thermometer that provides an instant reading is quick and reliable. If you are not tech-savvy it might be best to avoid apps and wireless connections. However, those that embrace new technology can find some great new tools to improve their culinary expertise.
Durability and cleaning: Stainless steel probes are durable and easy to clean. Wires on external probes can get crimped or bent and stop working correctly. Make sure you can purchase replacement wires and probes when considering a meat thermometer. Barbecue and smoker lids can reduce the life of wires.
Overall cost: There is a wide range of prices between digital and dial thermometers. Straightforward units are inexpensive. Adding Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibilities will increase the price. But the convenience of constant monitoring while you’re able to work on other things could certainly be worth the price. Time is money, and not opening the lid and letting out heat should result in better meals.
Best Meat Thermometers: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Wireless: Original Meater Thermometer
Best Wireless
Specs
33-foot wireless range
Dual temperature sensors
Bluetooth compatible
Pros
Monitors both the internal temperature and ambient heat
Display temperature readings on smartphone or tablet
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Must be connected to a secondary device to use Wi-Fi connectivity
The Meater Plus Meat Thermometer was designed to work with any cooking or grilling heat source. This unit can be used in the oven, with a rotisserie, on the grill, or in the smoker. It is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and comes with a storage box, so you always know where to find it.
The unit has two sensors to monitor the internal temperature of meat and the temperature of the cooking device. The thermometer will estimate a cook time based on the type of meat and count up to your desired temperature. You can set it for alerts based on temperature or time for total control.
If things are not cooking fast enough, you can alter the cooking temperature or reduce it to slow down the cooking process for best results. It also gives readings for ideal rest times, so it’s useful from when you’re ready to cook up until serving. The entire device is contained in a single probe which can safely function in temperatures up to 527°F.
The Meater Cloud is used to sync information between the meat thermometer and a smartphone or tablet. You can even use a home assistant, like Alexa, to monitor the progress of your meal and provide updates. With a 33-foot wireless range, you can continue working on the rest of your meal while the meat cooks to an exact temperature. With a second device (a tablet or second smartphone), you can share your cook and take your measurements anywhere. This requires using the free app and an iOS (10.3 and later) or Android (5.0 and later) smartphone or tablet.
Best for the Grill: ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer for Grilling
Best for the Grill
Specs
Four temperature probes
Digital display on sending and receiving units
1 to 3 second response time and updates
Pros
Monitors multiple pieces of meat
500-foot wireless range
Easy set up with transmitter and receiver
Cons
Wired probes
The ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer is perfect when grilling for a crowd, over charcoal or wood. The unit’s four probe connections and wireless transmitter make it easy to monitor the temperature of everyone’s steak, different meats on the same grill, or separate sections of a large cut. The portable receiver lets you keep an eye on things from up to 500 feet away.
The unit provides updates and alerts when meat is almost done and is programmable to cook to a desired temperature or USDA presets. These take the guesswork out of cooking the perfect steak, roast, sausage, or fowl. You can set for rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, or well done.
A large digital display on the transmitting and receiving units are easy to read, with backlit numbers that ensure you can see all four probe temperatures under any lighting conditions. The stainless steel probes come with a 43-inch wire designed for long-term use and high heat. The unit can be set to beep and flash when meat is getting close to being done, so you can stay busy in the yard or house and get notified when it is time to bring dinner to the table.
Best Instant Read: BREEKET 2-in-1 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Best Instant Read
Specs
Instant readings
Built-in and external probes
Folds for easy storage
Pros
Instant readings in any food item
Constant monitoring utilizing external probe
Large, backlit digital display for easy reading
Cons
No storage case included
Not dishwasher safe
The BREEKET 2-in-1 Instant Read Meat Thermometer can provide instant readings or constant monitoring while grilling, baking, or even deep-frying. The built-in probe rotates 180° for quick readings but stows for safety. An external probe with a 42-inch wire can be plugged into the thermometer for constant temperature readings. The unit can be programmed to alert to specific temperatures when using the external probe. An alarm will remind the cook or grill master by flashing when the correct temperature is achieved. The thermometer has a built-in magnet to attach to an appliance when using the external probe. The unit goes to sleep after 10 minutes of inactivity to save power but does not forget to monitor temperature or provide alerts. Though it is waterproof and cleans up easily with soap and water, it should not be put in the dishwasher or submerged in water.
Best for Smoking: MeatStick X Set Wireless Meat Thermometer
Best for Smoking
Specs
260-foot range
Dual temperature sensors
Stainless steel construction
Pros
High and low temperature alerts
Monitors both the internal temperature and ambient heat
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Requires a separate device and an app
The MeatStick X Set Wireless Meat Thermometer is small but accurate. The wireless probe can be inserted into any cut of meat and left to continuously monitor temperatures. The dual sensors contained in the slim probe take readings of both internal meat temperatures and inside the smoker, grill, or any other heat source that doesn’t exceed 572 degrees. This allows for precise temperature control for custom smoking. It takes the guesswork out of tough-to-cook items like game meats or brisket that require precise smoking and temperature changes for the perfect final product. Additionally, the MeatStick can be submerged in water, making it ideal for sous vide and deep fryer jobs.
Though it requires the use of a separate iOS or Android device, the multi-functional app allows you to monitor temperatures on your smartphone or tablet in real-time via Bluetooth. The app includes built-in cook presets for all types of meat, poultry, and fish and walks you through the setup process. You can set alarms for when meat is done, as well as high and low temperature alerts. The unit comes with an Xtender that increases the range to 260ft outdoors (about 100 feet inside). Just turn it on, and it is good to go with no setup or pairing required. The dishwasher safe unit requires two AA batteries.
Best Budget: Rubbermaid Food/Meat Instant Read Thermometer
Best Budget
Specs
Mechanical movement
Near-instant readings
Stainless steel construction
Pros
Very inexpensive
Requires no batteries
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Can only handle temperatures up to 220 degrees Fahrenheit
Sometimes in life, it’s the simple things that are best. As the best budget meat thermometer, the Rubbermaid Instant Read Meat Thermometer is an example of simplicity in action. This affordable thermometer requires no batteries, apps, or added equipment to deliver precise readings. Despite the mechanical nature, this thermometer delivers near-instant readings up to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Just stick it in whatever meat, fish, or fowl you’re cooking and get an accurate reading in seconds.
The simplistic design leaves little to go wrong. Stainless steel construction and a shatterproof lens make this thermometer highly durable, and it can handle the rigors of being transported in a chuck box. A protective sheath with a pocket clip prevents unintended punctures when not in use, and helps protect food from contamination. And perhaps best of all, it is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
What to Consider When Choosing a Meat Thermometer
All meat thermometers accomplish basically the same task, but how they go about doing so varies widely. Here are a few considerations you need to keep in mind when selecting one for your home, chuck box, or deer camp.
Digital or Dial
Electronics are a part of life but leave you dependent on a power source. Batteries need to be charged or replaced, but a good old-fashioned temperature dial can be used anywhere, any time. Hunters that like to show off their culinary skills
in camp may appreciate the simplicity of old-school thermometers that do not require a power source. But if you’re cooking at home, you might prefer the precise readouts of a digital thermometer. Both options are great, but for some, simple is better.
Monitor Without Opening
If you’re looking, it isn’t cooking. Fortunately, monitoring the temperature of meat while cooking no longer requires opening the charcoal grill
or taking the lid off the Dutch oven. Modern thermometers can provide temperature readings to an external base or even a smartphone. Some even provide both internal temperature of the meat and the ambient temperature of the grill or oven. Being able to monitor and control the cooking temperature and your dinner leads to outstanding results.
Multitasking
Meat thermometers can be used with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to keep an eye on temperatures, even when you are away from home. Put a roast on the pellet grill, insert a smart meat thermometer and watch it with a smartphone app while you get things done around the house or run errands in town. Many Bluetooth models have a limited range, but those that can tie into a Wi-Fi network can be configured to work wherever you have cell phone coverage.
Friendly Reminders
Precision means cooking to the exact degree and never going higher. But, it is easy to get busy and forget to monitor the temperature of meat being cooked for dinner. Many modern meat thermometers have an alarm to notify you when the ideal internal temperature of your dinner has been reached. If you are busy or absent-minded, a meat thermometer with an alarm is your best option.
FAQs
Q: Is a meat thermometer worth it?
Instead of asking yourself if a meat thermometer is worth it, ask if you enjoy eating overcooked meat? Or if you would enjoy getting sick from some a steak that was few degrees from fully cooked? A meat thermometer not only helps you get game or other meat to your desired level of doneness, but it also helps prevent food-borne illness.
Q: Are digital meat thermometers accurate?
Digital meat thermometers are generally very accurate. The earliest models weren’t the most reliable, but today’s crop can be counted on to deliver precise readings. As long as you purchase a digital thermometer from a reputable manufacturer, like the ones listed here, you can count on them.
Q: How much should I spend on a meat thermometer?
You don’t have to spend a mint on meat thermometer to find a reliable model. While wireless makes with a lot of bells and whistles can get costly, basic models can be had for a few dollars. Consider it cheap insurance against a bad meal. If you want the added convenience of monitoring your cooking from a distance, expect to pay a little more.
Q: What kind of meat thermometer can stay in the oven?
Meat thermometers that can withstand temperatures up to, or over, 500 degrees are generally safe for use in an oven. Some wireless models are up to the task, as are many with wired probes. Just be sure the wires are long enough to reach out of the oven. The standard, dial-type thermometers are usually up to the task. Whichever you choose, be sure to verify that it can handle high temps.
Best Meat Thermometers: Final Thoughts
**Best Wireless: Original Meater Thermometer
**
**Best for the Grill: ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer
**
**Best Instant Read: BREEKET 2-in-1 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
**
**Best for Smoking: MeatStick X Set Wireless Meat Thermometer
**
**Best Budget: Rubbermaid Instant Read Meat Thermometer
**
Don’t be afraid to utilize multiple meat thermometers, as the precision they provide makes every meal better. Hunters who like remote camps should choose simple models that don’t require power or batteries. That simplicity is good around the house too, as you’ll never have to worry about batteries failing partway through grilling. Instant-read thermometers are great tools for most home chefs, but it’s hard to beat the convenience that wireless models provide. Whichever you choose, the best meat thermometers will result in a more delicious dinner and better cooked meat.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
