If you want to ensure that your meat is cooked perfectly every time, then you need to invest in a good meat thermometer. In this article, I’m going to show you what I consider to be the best meat thermometers for smoking, so that you can get great results every time.
But, before I dive into the list, let’s take a look at some of the things you need to know before you buy a meat thermometer, and on the way, I’ll tell you what I think is the best meat thermometer for smoking.
Why You Need to Use a Meat Thermometer
Most smoked meats require an extended cooking period to achieve the perfect taste and texture. Without proper monitoring, meats can become dry and overcooked (not to mention potentially unsafe to consume). A meat thermometer is essential for any smoker, as it enables you to monitor internal temperatures quickly and accurately in order to produce perfectly cooked food every time. It’s also surprisingly easy to use – giving you peace of mind when it comes down to food safety. With a good quality digital or analog thermometer, you can make sure that your food is cooked correctly each and every time!
Here are a few things to look for when choosing a meat thermometer for smoking:
1. Temperature range. The best meat thermometers will have a wide temperature range, from around 100°F to 400°F. This will allow you to use the same thermometer for smoking different kinds of meat at different temperatures.
2. Whether you’re grilling the perfect steak, or slow smoking the day away, a quality instant-read meat thermometer is an invaluable tool when creating that savory masterpiece. Knowing the exact temperature at any given moment makes it significantly easier to regulate how done your meat is, allowing you to dial in the level of smokiness that’s just right for your taste buds. The only thing worse than spending hours slaving away over a fire, only to bite into a tough piece of overcooked jerky, is biting into something still sizzling rare. With an instant-read thermometer, you can ensure that your meats are cooked just right each time.
3. Durability. When cooking at high temperatures, it’s important to choose a meat thermometer that can withstand the heat. Look for a thermometer that is made from durable materials, such as stainless steel, and has a long probe length.
4. Ease of Use. Getting an accurate reading on the internal temperature of meat while cooking to keep it safe is a must. When you’re juggling a million other things in the kitchen, having a meat thermometer that is easy to use can ease some of that stress. A good thermometer has features designed for convenience, as well as accuracy from step one. It will read temperatures quickly and accurately so you don’t have to wait too long or put yourself through guesswork. A large LCD display adds visibility for easier reading and numerical keyboards make it simple to set the target temperature before cooking. Temperature presets are also very helpful if you’re in a rush and want to check for doneness without fiddling around with exact figures. In addition, look for one that is durable, waterproof and comes with features like alert notifications when your food reaches the desired cooked state so you never have to worry about overcooking or wasting time waiting over the stovetop.
My Picks for the Best Meat Thermometer for Smoking
There are many different types of meat thermometers on the market, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. Thats why I decided to take a look at what’s on the market right now, analyze the pros and cons of each, and give you my recommendations. Here’s what I found:
1. The ThermoWorks TP829 Wireless Meat Thermometer:
The ThermoPro TP829 Wireless Meat Thermometer is the perfect set for any grill or smoker enthusiast. This product includes two of the most reliable and user-friendly temperature monitors on the market so you can be sure your meat is cooked to perfection every time.
The wireless meat thermometer features a strong RF technology that extends its range up to 1000FT, meaning you can take care of other tasks while your smoker thermometer monitors your meat. The dual laser pointers on the infared temp thermometer make it faster to target and easier to scan surface temperatures for reliable results every time.
The 4 color-coated probes help avoid confusion when monitoring different kinds of meat or the smoker/oven/grill’s ambient temperature. You can also easily switch between displaying MAX/MIN/AVG temp results with a quick press of a button.
Its wide temp range of -58℉to 1022℉ means this infrared thermometer gun can measure various objects’ surface temp from above boiling point to below freezing point. This product also comes with presets USDA recommended temps and doneness levels so you will always cook to perfection. Overall, this is a very solid perfomer and my top choice.
- More Stable Than Bluetooth: Our advanced RF technology ensures a stronger, more reliable connection than Bluetooth. This smoker thermometer provides the freedom to move around without losing connection! Monitor your BBQ from up to 1,000 feet away!
- Effortless, No-Fuss Setup: No need for apps, complex setups, or sharing personal information. This meat thermometer digital wireless is ready to go right out of the box—making it a smart, hassle-free choice, especially for those who value simplicity and efficiency
- 4 Color-Coded Probes for Simple Tracking: Monitor up to 4 different meats or temperatures at once with easy-to-identify, color-coded probes. No confusion, just straightforward, organized cooking, making this a wireless grill thermometer that empowers you to cook smarter, not harder
- Preset Temps & Smart Alerts: Featuring 10 USDA-recommended meat presets and multiple doneness levels, this grilling thermometer ensures your meals are cooked perfectly. With a smart alarm that beeps and flashes as temperatures near your set range, it takes the guesswork out of grilling
- Easy-to-Read Backlit Screen: The large, backlit display shows the current and target temperatures for up to 4 probes at a glance. Stay on top of your cooking without needing to check your phone—an intuitively designed BBQ thermometer for maximum convenience
2. The Maverick Adrenaline XR-50:
The Maverick Adrenaline Barbecue Company XR-50 Extended Range Digital Remote Wireless 4 Probe BBQ & Meat Thermometer is the perfect meat thermometer for any grill master! With four waterproof probes that can measure meat or barbecue temperature, Hi/lo alarms that can be set between 14-574 F (10-300 C), and a massive 500 ft range line of sight, the XR-50 will make sure your food is cooked to perfection every time. The large easy to read displays with backlight are great for outdoor cooking, and the free 2-day shipping and included 1 year warranty makes this product a no brainer!
- Black with maroon accents
- Includes wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, 4 dual purpose probes, 2 grill clips, and 4 AAA batteries
- 6 preset temperatures for Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork, Chicken, or Turkey and 9 Game meats: Deer, Elk, Moose, Buffalo, Rabbit, Boar, Duck, Bird and Fish
- Two 4.5-foot long wire probes and two 4.25-foot long probes are rated 716 degrees F and water resistant
- Extended 160 meter (500 foot) range
3. Inkbird Bluetooth Grill BBQ Meat Thermometer:
The Inkbird Grill Thermometer is a must-have for any grill master! This smart thermometer pairs with your Android or iPhone via Bluetooth, so you can monitor your cooking temperature from anywhere within range. With wide temperature range and high accuracy, this thermometer ensures that your food is cooked perfectly every time. The rechargeable battery and magnetic design make it easy to use and store, while the graph function lets you track the temperature change over time.
- Notes for this 4 probes bluetooth grill thermometer: please make sure the bluetooth meat thermometer probes are firmly inserted into the wireless bbq thermometer ports. You may hear a click sound; otherwise will get inaccurate temperature. For example, the temperature may display 572 ° F or other inaccurate readings if the probes didn’t insert well. Temperature range: 32 ° F to 572 ° F; (Short-time measurement); 32 ° F to 482 ° F (continuous monitoring).
- Easy to connect: this Inkbird 4 probes grill thermometer can pair with Android or iPhone (Please make sure the GPS location is open). This bbq thermometer read your cooking temperature by your phone anywhere (connecting distance range up to 150 ft / 50 M). High temperature accuracy could let you be rest for your cooking. No need worry about your meal overdone with this wireless grill thermometer. Please note: tearing off the plastic protect film on the screen before using.
- Magnetic design & large LED screen: The digital thermometer magnetic design on the back of the Inkbird IBT-4XS could be adsorbed on the smoker or oven ect. strongly. Another amazing design is that LED reading could be rotated by double touching the power key. You can read temperature value any side; the digital tube of the Bluetooth smoker meat thermometer LED is 2.2” x 1”.
- Rechargeable battery & temperature graph: the grill meat thermometer battery can last for about 40 hours once fully recharged. Bluetooth remote range is 150 feet in outside places. The thermometer app is with the graph function. Could view the temperature change through the graph.
- What you get: 1 x Smart Meat Thermometer, 3 meat Probes and 1 ambient probe, 1 USB charging cable, 1 manual, 2 probe clips. Your satisfaction is our top priority, this policy just in case you experience any issues with it.
Pros and cons of each type of thermometer
If you’re a barbecue enthusiast, then you know that having the right tools is essential to perfecting your craft. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best meat thermometers for smoking, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
We’ll go over the pros and cons of each type of thermometer, so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Thermocouple:
A thermocouple is the most accurate type of meat thermometer. It consists of two wires of different metals that are joined at one end. When the other end is placed in the meat, the two wires create a small voltage that is proportional to the temperature of the meat.
Pros: Highly accurate, fast response time
Cons: More expensive than other types of thermometers, can be difficult to use
Dial Thermometer:
A dial thermometer is the most common type of meat thermometer. It has a metal probe that is inserted into the meat, with a dial on the outside that shows the temperature. Dial or analog thermometers are less common these days, but they’re still a good option if you’re looking for an inexpensive meat thermometer.
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to use
Cons: Less accurate than other types of thermometers, slow response time
Digital Thermometer:
Digital meat thermometers make it easier than ever to cook with precision and confidence. These devices measure the internal temperature of proteins like poultry, pork, and beef, allowing the cook to serve up delicious dishes that are never under- or over-cooked.
A digital thermometer usually has a probe on one end and a digital display at the other. The probe is inserted into the thickest portion of the meat and left for a few minutes as the thermometer rapidly digitizes an accurate reading. This makes cooking to a specific temperature much faster and simpler than guessing or relying on unreliable methods like touch or appearance.
Furthermore, these tools are typically affordable and small enough to easily transport from home to grill so that meats can be monitored throughout cooking. However, digital thermometers do require batteries which may need replacing over time.
Additionally, they can only measure internal temperatures so they may not be helpful when monitoring ambient temperatures like those in an oven or smoker box.
Pros: Fast, accurate results
Cons: Can only measure internal temperatures
Instant-read thermometers
As the name suggests, instant-read thermometers give you an accurate reading in just a few seconds. They’re perfect for quick checks on whether your meat is cooked through. Just insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat and wait a few seconds for the reading.
Pros: Fast, accurate results
Cons: A bit more expensive than ost other types of thermometer
How to use a meat thermometer
Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that your meals are cooked properly. Besides providing accuracy and taking out the guesswork, they also allow you to save time in the kitchen as you don’t have to continually test meat for doneness.
The best way to use one is by following these steps: First, make sure you insert the thermometer into a thick part of the thickest piece of meat, taking care not to let it touch bone; once all readings are taken, wash your thermometer with hot, soapy water – never submerge it; and finally store your thermometer at room temperature and use it again when needed. If followed, these tips will give you results that are perfect each time!
Use the chart below to determine if the meat is cooked to the proper level:
rare: 115-120 degrees F
medium rare: 121-125 degrees F
medium: 126-130 degrees F
medium well: 131-140 degrees F
well done: 141 degrees F and above
Conclusion
So, there you have it — the best meat thermometers for smoking that money can buy. Whether you’re looking for a simple and affordable option or something more high-tech, one of these thermometers is sure to fit your needs. Now, get smoking, and enjoy perfectly cooked meat every time!
