An oven thermometer is a must for household and restaurant kitchens. These handy kitchen “helpers” make sure your food is cooked properly. Oven thermometers can provide accurate temperature readings, which is a good way to make sure your food is thoroughly cooked.
For restaurant kitchens, oven thermometers are important in cooking different kinds of dishes. These small and nifty tools provide the necessary information for chefs and kitchen staff on how to know the right temperature for the right kind of dish.
Best Oven Thermometer on the 2024 Market
Taylor Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer – Editor’s Pick
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The best of the bunch. The Taylor Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer is a wireless oven thermometer that comes with a large display. How large? The analog display is about 3.25 inches, making it super easy for you to read. This is perhaps what sets this product apart from the competition.
The large display is paired with an easy-to-read red pointer and a clear and durable glass lens. This will allow you to see the readings and monitor the temperature easily.
And speaking of temperature readings, the Taylor Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer works bests within the 100 Fahrenheit to 600 Fahrenheit range.
For added convenience, it displays both Celsius and Fahrenheit readings. This is another noteworthy feature of this product.
It is made of stainless steel for added durability and protection from rust. Its unique design allows the Taylor Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer to stand on the kitchen top, or it can be hung on a rack.
Pros
- Very large 3.25” display
- Displays temperature readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Accurate
- Highly durable housing
- Inexpensive
- Easy to read.
Cons
- Needs a larger base for added stability.
Rubbermaid Commercial Stainless Steel Oven Monitoring Thermometer – Runner Up
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Coming in second place is the Rubbermaid Commercial Stainless Steel Oven Monitoring Thermometer, a durable, inexpensive product featuring a large dial with easy-to-read temperature units. It displays both Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature readings.
It is 2” long and 4.55 wide,” relatively larger than its competitors.
One of the key strengths of this product is its high accuracy, making it a very good choice for homeowners as well as chefs. The housing is made of stainless steel paired with a durable glass cover.
Pros
- Accurate
- Display both Celsius and Fahrenheit readings
- Very stable due to its large size.
Cons
- A bit heavy.
CDN DOT2 ProAccurate Oven Thermometer
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Coming in third place is the CDN ProAccurate Oven Thermometer. Its manufacturer has claimed that the product’s best attribute is “energy saving,” which can be attained if you set the thermometer in the oven in the preheating process for a more accurate temperature reading.
The housing is durable and, as with other products, uses stainless steel. The thermometer uses “304” stainless steel, which is said to be of superior quality.
The dial is a respectable 2” with a red indicator needle. However, the display seems to have less contrast, which affects the display, but only slightly.
When it comes to design, its two-way mount allows it to stand on its own or to be hung on a rack.
The CDN ProAccurate Oven Thermometer has a wider base, which means it offers more stability compared to others. This two-way mounting means it is user-friendly. The product is NSF-approved, and customers often note that it is very handy without sacrificing quality.
Pros
- Energy-saving design
- Two-way mounting
- Durable “304” stainless steel
- Easy to read.
Cons
- The size is a bit small.
AcuRite 00620A2 Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
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Perhaps one of the major advantages of the AcuRite 00620A2 Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer is its durability and flexibility. It has a durable stainless steel housing paired with a high-quality glass lens.
For flexibility, this is a good choice should you want an oven thermometer that works great for your oven and your grill too.
As with the others on this list, this product is an excellent choice for everyday cooking, be it boiling, warming, baking, or roasting.
As an additional feature, the AcuRite 00620A2 Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer has a temperature indicator showing accurate and ideal temperatures for different kinds of cooking that you may require. It will work and measure accurately within the 150 degrees to 600 degrees range. However, the temperature readings are displayed in only Fahrenheit units.
Pros
- Safe for use in either a grill or an oven
- Accurate
- Durable
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Only reads or indicates heat in Fahrenheit.
Cooper-Atkins 24HP-01-1 Oven Thermometer
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The Cooper-Atkins 24HP-01-1 Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Oven Thermometer comes in as a handy, durable model. The thermometer is 3” tall by 2 ½” wide, which might be a bit small compared to other products.
The black indicator complements the glass cover, while the stainless steel housing provides durability. The thermometer has a HACCP dial reference which can be helpful in adjusting the temperature according to the kind of cooking that you intend to do.
Speaking of temperature readings, you can track the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. This product is also NSF-approved.
The Cooper-Atkins 24HP-01-1 Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Oven Thermometer works within the 100 Fahrenheit to 600 Fahrenheit range.
Pros
- Displays temperature readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Easy temperature adjustment
- Two-way mounting design.
Cons
- Small size.
Oven Thermometer Buying Guide: Factors and Features to Look Out For
Oven thermometers are perhaps one of the best modern inventions when it comes to cooking. These products are virtually indispensable in today’s kitchens.
These products provide accurate temperature readings, which allow you to cook a variety of dishes in a variety of ways. You can bake, roast, and grill, provided you have the right temperature.
Gone are the days when you have to guess or “estimate” the right temperature for a particular type of cooking.
Oven thermometers take the guesswork out of the equation, ensuring that dishes are cooked at the right temperature on a consistent and accurate basis.
Most of all, oven thermometers are inexpensive kitchen “tools” that are also handy and readily accessible. Based on the design, you can leave them on your kitchen top or just hang them on a rack.
Oven thermometers are easy to clean, and most are very durable, with stainless housings and touch-glass covers.
So what do you need to look out for when buying an oven thermometer? Here’s a quick guide:
Durability and Quality
This should be the first item on your list. As you might already know, oven thermometers are designed to withstand heat, and if the temperature or heat increases, your oven thermometer should be tough or durable enough to withstand such heat.
It is highly recommended that you check the temperature ranges that are prescribed by the manufacturer.
As a customer, you should also be wary of the fact that oven thermometers should not be used in cooking methods that they are not designed for.
As an additional recommendation, look for the type of material that the oven thermometer is made of. It is recommended that you look for those made with “304” stainless steel, which is said to be the best material out there for oven thermometers. This is where NSF approval comes in. The NSF or National Sanitation Foundation checks for these standards. It is recommended that your product should be NSF-approved.
Look for Accuracy
A majority of the buyers of over thermometers are usually those who use this kitchen tool for their home kitchens.
This does not mean that you should not be aware that some oven thermometers may not be very accurate and that adjustments sometimes have to be made.
Thus you have to look for a product that has a high accuracy rating. You can have your oven thermometer checked by comparing its readings with that of another thermometer or have someone do it for you.
There are devices out there that can check for the accuracy of oven thermometers, and if you suspect that your product is way off, you can have it checked.
Your oven thermometer will most likely be very accurate before you start using it. But as soon as it is exposed to intense heat, its accuracy might suffer. This is another consideration that you should keep in mind when buying.
Design
As mentioned in the list of oven thermometers, design is also very important. Two-way installation means you can either hang the oven thermometer or let it stand on your countertop or kitchen top.
Design is also very important, and you have to make sure that your oven thermometer is handy without sacrificing quality. And by quality, you still have to see the readings clearly, even if the design of the oven thermometer you chose is a bit on the small side.
The good thing about today’s oven thermometers is that most products now display temperature readings in either Celsius or Fahrenheit.
It is highly recommended that you choose a product that can display both temperature units. This added convenience essentially reduces the time you might spend if you need to convert the temperature units.
Performance
Over thermometers, by design, are expected to be subjected to extreme temperatures. Therefore, knowing the performance of your oven thermometer becomes important.
Accuracy should not be compromised, even if an oven thermometer is subject to high heat. The thermometer may have to undergo maintenance and adjustments, but it should work for an acceptable period of time before it needs replacing.
Knowing the temperature limits of your oven thermometer is a sure way to gauge the performance of your product.
Of the products reviewed here, one has energy-saving features. This might also be a noteworthy addition to the list of items that consumers need to know when buying oven thermometers.
Usability
For a first-time user, using an oven thermometer might be a daunting task. However, these products now come with easy-to-read manuals, and there are a lot of references online offering practical guides on how to use them.
Perhaps one of the more challenges that first-time users will face is figuring out the right temperature for the “style” of cooking. This is important, particularly because you do not want your food to be undercooked, thus presenting a potential danger to your family.
Food that is undercooked food can be a source of foodborne diseases.
Fortunately, there’s this set of standards or methods, called Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points or HACCP, that are being followed to minimize foodborne diseases.
HACCP is a guide that helps manufacturers reduce any chances of acquiring foodborne illness in their products. The good news is that almost all oven thermometers and other kitchen products follow HACCP guidelines.
Conclusion
The Taylor Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer gets our vote due to a number of reasons. First, the analog display is super easy for you to use and read. It’s durable, too. But each home cook may have unique needs. So make sure to check out our buying guide above to see which functions and features suit you the best!
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Need more help in the kitchen? Here’s our guide on the best electric ovens, the best rotisserie ovens, and the best professional gas ranges. Good luck with cooking and baking!
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Jen Lin-Liu is the founder of Black Sesame Kitchen. A Chinese-American writer and a nationally certified Chinese chef in Beijing. Jen is the author of two memoirs, Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China and On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome with Love and Pasta.