Precision plays a vital role in cooking because it has both creative and scientific elements. But the one significant aspect that is considered crucial in every cooking activity is the temperature. Especially when it comes to barbequing or grilling your food, nothing is more important than maintaining the right temperature for your food.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best smoker thermometers and also answer some of the frequently asked questions such as:
- Can I put a thermometer in a smoker?
- What kind of thermometer do you use in a smoker?
- At what temperature does meat stop taking smoke?
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Meater Plus Smart Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth
- Dual temperature sensors.
- It is dishwasher safe.
- Advanced Estimator Algorithm.
One of the most outstanding inventions in the history of smokers is the Meater Plus Smart Meat Thermometer. The best part about this is that it comes with Bluetooth technology, which means that you can remotely monitor your smoker’s temperature!
This genuinely wireless thermometer is dishwasher safe, so if you get some grease on your device, you can pop it in the machine and give it a good rinse before subsequent use.
What we like:
Wireless technology: The best part about the Meater Plus Smart Meat Thermometer is that it is a wireless piece of fully functional equipment. Especially when it comes to outdoor cooking, there’s nothing like wire-free equipment that can aid in your cooking.
Phone application: This thermometer comes with its phone application that you can easily download for the tech-savvy smokers out there. Its user-friendly interface comes with presets to help your cooking become more efficient.
Guided Cook System: The setup is quite simple and aids in guiding you throughout the cooking process to end up with excellent and consistent results. You can even turn on notification badges that send you alerts and help you manage your cooking better.
Pros
- Dual temperature sensors.
- It is dishwasher safe.
- Advanced Estimator Algorithm.
Cons
- Bluetooth range is not as extensive.
Can I put a thermometer in a smoker?
Yes, you can put a thermometer in a smoker. However, you need to be careful about placing it, or the thermometer can get ruined. Generally, the thermometer is placed above the grate inside the smoker for most smokers.
Three inches above the grate is the ideal position for any thermometer to be placed. This location ensures that the device is close enough to the food to get the most accurate reading of the temperature inside your smoker.
What kind of thermometer do you use in a smoker?
Typically, a handheld thermometer is ideal for use inside a smoker, and they are more precise and are relatively simple to use and read. You can also use an analog meat thermometer, but they take longer to give you results. If you get a digital handheld thermometer., the reading will be more accurate and fast.
Can you leave a meat thermometer in the meat while it’s cooking?
Yes, you can leave a meat thermometer in the meat while it’s cooking. Meat thermometers are constructed to withstand the heat inside the smoker, so if you leave it inside the meat, the thermometer will send you more accurate readings.
There are many benefits to leaving the meat thermometer inside the smoker. It will give you a very accurate reading of your food inside the smoker instead of using it on the outside.
Another benefit is that the temperature inside the smoker will stay consistent since you don’t have to keep opening the smoker lid to check the temperature. This can also lead to a more evenly cooked meal since there is no heat loss.
If you have a wired probe with your meat thermometer, you can insert the probe and leave it inside the smoker throughout the smoking. You can monitor the temperature without opening the smoker time and again.
You can continuously use a thermometer with a wired temperature probe while smoking meat. The probe is left inside the meat for the duration of smoking, and the temperature reading can be viewable without opening up the smoker.
How accurate is the thermometer on my smoker?
The inbuilt thermometers on most smokers are less accurate when compared to a handheld or digital thermometer. In some smokers, the differences in the temperature can range as high as 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore it is recommended that you use a thermometer probe instead for a more accurate reading instead of relying on the readings from the thermometer inbuilt in the smoker.
The reason why smoker thermometers don’t work as well as probes is because they could get the readings from the entire dome instead of just the food inside the smoker.
If you want to get a more accurate reading with just the thermostat in the smoker, you can adjust the placement and mount as near as possible to the food, so you get a close reading.
How to get an accurate temperature reading inside a smoker?
If your thermometer is mounted on the side of the smoker, or you’re using a probe, the reading will be more accurate. On some level, thermostats placed on infrared grills are a little tricky to read because they can pick up the heat from the burners instead of the food.
The best way to get the most accuracy out of your temperature reading is to use a wired thermometer probe. You can insert this inside your meat and cook it inside the smoker. You don’t even have to open the dome to do a temperature reading; instead, you can keep a constant watch on the temperature as your food cooks.
How deep should you insert a meat thermometer?
You need to insert at least half an inch inside the meat for most thermometers. Some thermometers require you to insert only an eighth of the probe, but it depends on the type of thermometer probe you are using.
What kind of thermometers do pitmasters use?
On every pitmaster’s essentials list, you will always find a well-calibrated thermometer, and hence the importance of food thermometers is very high on the list. According to Steak School, many pitmasters use instant-read thermometers such as Signals and Thermapen. The Thermapen is a popular thermometer that can read very high temperatures in no time.
What meat thermometer does Aaron Franklin use?
In his cookbook, Aaron Franklin has recommended the Tel-Tru BQ300 Barbecue Thermometer, which comes with a 2.5-inch stem. It is made of stainless steel and is highly durable.
What thermometer does Myron Mixon use?
Myron Mixon has his production of thermometers which is called the DigiQ. This thermometer can keep a check on your food’s internal temperature constantly.
How can I monitor the temperature on my thermometer correctly?
The first thing you need to keep in mind is to check the temperature readings on your thermometer constantly. Most meat requires at least a temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for even cooking.
If the temperature goes beyond the 250 degrees mark, you need to close all the vents and reduce oxygen flow in the smoker; ultimately decreasing the temperature. On the other hand, if the smoker’s temperature is too low, you can open the vents and reverse the process.
At what temperature does meat stop taking smoke?
If you smoke a meat joint, there is no limit to how much smoke the meat can absorb. The whole time the meat is in the smoker, it will take in the smoke. You need to have a good smoke and heat circulation around your meat at all times if you want the nice smoky flavor to stand out in your meat.
Do you need a meat thermometer for smoking?
Yes, you need a meat thermometer for smoking. To smoke your meat efficiently and evenly, you will need two kinds of thermometers. One will be used for the meat, while the other one can be used to measure the smoker’s temperature. It is best to use a probe thermometer for the meat, whereas, for the smoker, you can use an infrared thermometer.
Reviews
This thermometer comes with a backlit LED screen that makes it easy to use. You can even customize screen settings to ensure accuracy when reading the temperature.
This thermometer comes with the option of choosing between Fahrenheit and Celsius. The Kizen Digital Waterproof Instant Read Meat Thermometer instantly gives accurate meat temperature readings, and it takes the thermometer less than 3 seconds for any temperature reading.
What we like
Instant read: The ultra-fast reading of the Kizen Digital Waterproof Instant Read Meat Thermometer allows you to know the temperature of the food within 3 seconds.
LCD screen: The temperature is displayed on a bright LCD screen, making it more convenient and easy to read.
Multiple functionalities: You can use this thermometer for many things such as meat, beverages, deep frying and even baking.
Pros
- Quality durable materials.
- Kizen Digital Waterproof Instant Read Meat Thermometer.
- Magnetic stripe.
Cons
- Slow temperature readings.
The Alpha Grillers Waterproof Instant Read Meat Thermometer is an ultra-fast temperature reader with a temperature probe. It is efficient and easy to use in smokers since the response time is 2-3 seconds.
You also get a meat temperature chart and every purchase which gives you instructions on checking meat temperatures properly.
What we like
Simple and easy to use: The Alpha Grillers Waterproof Instant Read Meat Thermometer conveniently comes pre-calibrated so that you don’t have to spend the extra energy trying to get it to work. You also have the option for recalibrating if there never comes a need.
Hold Button: The thermometer has a hold button to take your time and pause the reading if you need to.
Ultra-fast response: The response rate of this thermometer is between 2-3 seconds. You don’t have to worry about your food burning while waiting for the temperature to show up on display.
Pros
- Magnetic strip and a hole to hang it up.
- Thermometer easy to read because of the bright blue backlight.
- Water-resistant.
Cons
- Not pocket-sized or pocket-friendly.
This meat thermometer comes with a probe that is slim and easy to pierce into any food. The reading is also very accurate and super fast, so you don’t have to worry about overcooking or undercooking your meals. The Imsaferell Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer is designed for convenient and easy usage.
What we like
Compact: The thermometer is foldable, so you can easily store it wherever you want.
Ease of Use: You have to unfold the thermometer for it to start working. If there is no activity for 10 minutes or more, it will automatically switch off.
Ultra-Fast: The Imsaferell Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer reads the temperature of any food within 2-4 seconds with accuracy.
Clear display: It comes with a backlight display that allows you to get correct food temperature readings.
Pros
- Super-fast and accurate temperature.
- It’s waterproof.
- Made from Premium ABS Material for lasting durability.
Cons
- Relatively weak magnet.
The ThermoPro TP-02S Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer can be used for smoking, grilling, barbequing and even for baking. It has a wide temperature range from -58 degrees Fahrenheit to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The thermometer comes with a hole that you can use to hand in your kitchen conveniently.
What we like
Long-lasting battery: The ThermoPro TP-02S Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer ensures a battery life of up to 2 years from the time of purchase.
Long Probe: The temperature probe in this thermometer is a good 5.3 inches, so you don’t have to worry about burning your fingers.
Accurate and fast readings: The ThermoPro TP-02S Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer fives you very accurate temperature readings very quickly (4-7 seconds)
Pros
- Probe tip cover.
- Straightforward, easy to use.
- 10 minutes of inactivity to save battery life.
Cons
- The thermometer is not waterproof.
Verdict
Maintaining the right temperature in a smoker will dictate if your food is juicy, dry, evenly cooked or burnt to a crisp. Hence, the importance of using thermometers when cooking food in a smoker cannot be stressed enough. The Meater Plus Smart Meat Thermometer is the ideal meat thermometer for all kinds of appliances such as smokers, BBQs and even grills.
This Bluetooth thermometer comes with a 165 feet coverage that allows you to sit back and relax as your food is cooking while keeping an eye on the smoker’s temperature through your phone. There is even a separate app that you can download on your phone to control this thermometer.