"Instant" Read Thermometers..... Do You Use Them? And Why?

[dcarch]

So all this time that I've been shutting it off right away in fear of lasering a hole into my cast iron pan it didn't really matter?

Yes, be very careful where you aim that thing, or you may find yourself not be able to have children anymore

dcarch

[SMOKE FREAK]

So all this time that I've been shutting it off right away in fear of lasering a hole into my cast iron pan it didn't really matter?

Geez I got so much more to learn...

[dirtsailor2003]

"Instant" Read Thermometers..... Do You Use Them? And Why?

I have to say that for things like steak, pork chops, burgers I don't use anything to measure temp but feel. But for roasts, poultry, sausages it's all to temp.

I just recently bought Lava Tools Thermowand and its spot on accurate and is only advertised as a second slower than the Thermopen. Since I don't have a Thermopen I can't test that theory, but it gives a stable reading in 3-4 seconds. The main reason I never used an instant read like the Thermopen was the price. If you've never had one I'd recommend one for food safety. Every professional chef I know uses one in the kitchen at work and home. At $25 the Thermowand is well worth the investment.

[ThunderDome]

I've grown so used to using it, that I use it for everything by default.

Of course I am probing chicken everytime, but if i'm not as concerned about temp, I like using the probe for a tenderness check. Especially w/ briskest

[sramsey]

I have not mastered chicken, so these work or great for me. Cooking a butt or turkey, I put that, setup my app and go relax.ready as pie. Steak, and ribs,I eye ball those.

[Slanted88]

the cheap weber doofer works fine...checked cal with digital temp stuff on a airplane...(cylinder head temp) both were within +- 2 °...i'm still a looker & pull...when chow gig is on!

[Fishawn]

I've grown so used to using it, that I use it for everything by default.

Of course I am probing chicken everytime, but if i'm not as concerned about temp, I like using the probe for a tenderness check. Especially w/ briskest

I'm in this boat as well..... I Just get used to grabbing it and checking things. As CA mentioned, grilled sausages can really get overcooked. Snack stix, cured sausages and SS need a Thermapen temp probe check, along with the inserted probe reading IMO. Really not much I don't use a Thermapen on. Just me. If you got it at your disposal, why not use it? I also like to check my temp "guestimates" with something.

[Grillionaire]

I just got the cheapo version of the thermopen and it works just fine. I only temp Brisket, Butts, everything else is using my experience even though I have only 29 years on this earth I have been around the grill ever since I can remember.

[Bearcarver]

I just got the cheapo version of the thermopen and it works just fine. I only temp Brisket, Butts, everything else is using my experience even though I have only 29 years on this earth I have been around the grill ever since I can remember.

Only 29 years old & already a Grillionaire?!?!?!

From PA.


Bear

[DDave]

Really not much I don't use a Thermapen on. Just me. If you got it at your disposal, why not use it?

Yup.

Burgers today for a kid's get-together. Checked 'em with the Thermapen. Made sure no one was gonna get sick. Also made sure no one had to eat a hockey puck.

If I was going by look I would have left them on a bit longer. Interesting when you start comparing what your "experience" tells you with what a thermometer says is reality.

Dave

[Richtee]

Interesting when you start comparing what your "experience" tells you with what a thermometer says is reality.

Nods... especially with poultry. Sheet scares me...

[nickelmore]

Yup.

Interesting when you start comparing what your "experience" tells you with what a thermometer says is reality.

Dave

Yep I have given/traded or sold two thermo pens at bring your own meat picnics or at family functions. I will bet on my thermo pen against a few beers and experience any day......

[Bearcarver]

Yep I have given/traded or sold two thermo pens at bring your own meat picnics or at family functions. I will bet on my thermo pen against a few beers and experience any day......

Amen!!


Bear

[redruff]

i just got a coiled ready to strike lightning quick snakeskin thermopen.

i learned my meat probe for my controller doesn't give an accurate reading in thin sausages.

thats why i got one, but now that i have it, ill probably end up using it for everything.
hunky....you and i think alike!@ commercially processed birds scare the living daylights out of me!

[206]

My thermowand was delivered in 2 days from order last week. First use was pulling my summer sausage out of the big chief on Saturday. My meat probe was off by 4 degrees according to the Wand which read 149. Haven't got sick yet.

Last night cooked some Gunslingers brats and pulled them at 160. I had a feeling I was always overcooking brats in the past and that was the truth. I will have to not simmer as long before the fry so the skins get browned better.