Digital fork thermometers

[roadfix]

I need a new thermometer. As instant read thermometers, are these fork thermometers any good?

[GB]

They are trash. The probe that goes into the food is very wide so it leaves you with a gaping hole for all your juice to leak out of. At least that is true of the ones I have seen.

[Barb L]

I had one - not accurate - so agree with GB!!

[roadfix]

Thanks for the replies!

I'll get the conventional digital probe type, or one with a wired probe. Is one type better than the other for instant reading?

[GB]

I am not sure what you mean by conventional digital probe. Do you mean just the stick type with a digital readout?

how much of an issue is money? If you do not mind spending a pretty penny then get a Thermopen. They are about $90, but are very accurate and very fast.

If that is too much to spend (and most people would think it is) then I really like the Polder probe thermometers (the kind where the probe is attached by a wire).

[roadfix]

Originally Posted by GB

I am not sure what you mean by conventional digital probe. Do you mean just the stick type with a digital readout?

Yes, the stick type w/readout on top.

I love quality gadgets so I don't mind spending the extra money. Thanks for that link.

[GB]

If you don't mind spending the $ then get the Thermopen. It is the best thermometer I have ever owned. The probe is very narrow so you can take multiple readings and not worry about gaping holes in your meat.

The stick type and probe (with wire) type are designed to do different things. the probe with wire you stick in the meat and leave the entire cooking time. This is great for large roast when you want to continually monitor the temp and don't want to have to keep opening and closing the oven or grill and keep jabbing your food.

The stick type of good for other things where you do not need to continually monitor the temp. It is good to have both, but you can get away with one.

[Andy M.]

I just bought this. America's Test Kitchen recently rated it their top choice for this type of thermometer. Not in the same class as the Thermopen, but more affordable at about $18. They liked it because it is accurate and fastest of the group.

[roadfix]

Thanks for the additional replies and link!
I ended up ordering the less expensive CND stick thermometer mentioned above among other items, including a CND oven thermometer from cheftools.

[pacanis]

Yes. But did you order a microplane, too?