You may be asking yourself, “Why would I need a separate thermometer for my oven when the oven has a built-in thermometer inside it”? Well, that may be true and all but the truth is that most built-in oven thermometers are never accurate or as precise as the best oven thermometer that stands alone inside the oven.
A separate standing or hanging oven thermometer will be able to accurately give precise temperature reads every single time without having to guess when the oven is done preheating or up to the desired temperature.
An independent oven thermometer will be able to withstand extremely high temperatures without breaking or cracking over time and still give accurate readings. They are easy to use and install and most kitchen professionals and chefs swear by them.
In this article, we will go over some of the different types of oven thermometers and what to look for when purchasing a new one. We will also cover some of the best and worst models of oven thermometers available for purchase on the market today and which one may be the best to fit your particular oven wants and needs.
How to Choose the Best Oven Thermometer
Not all independent oven thermometers are the same in terms of quality and construction. Which is why you need to do the research first before leaping at buying the first thermometer that comes along. They are also completely different from instant read thermometers. They are meant to be used as a stationary thermometer rather than a thermometer you would pull out of the drawer and use every once in a while.
They may be very inexpensive in the long run but you might find yourself buying a new one every time because you didn’t do your homework first. While they also may be inexpensive, you still want a guarantee that it will work every time you use it and if it doesn’t then possibly try to get one that is protected by a warranty so that you could exchange it or replace it if it happens to break or become damaged while in use or during the shipping process.
You will also want to purchase an oven thermometer that is able to read temperatures higher than what you plan to use it at. This will help to avoid any cracking or breaking during the cooking process. Always go for the higher read of temperatures just to be safe. You should also buy a quality oven thermometer. Don’t skimp on the price or a lesser-quality oven thermometer that may need cleaning or constant maintenance. A quality oven thermometer will never need to be clean or contain much upkeep.
Construction and Design
While almost all oven thermometers have the same aesthetic design and may look very similar that does not mean that one oven thermometer is just as good as the next. The overall construction will be able to determine the capabilities and retention of the oven thermometer over time and excess usage. When it comes to materials, there are several different types used in oven thermometers, but the standard and most commonly used is stainless steel. This material will ensure the thermometer stays protected against extremely high temperatures.
Also make sure the thermometer is NSF approved for performance, design and materials. Oven thermometers are also usually designed to read either Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature readings. It is best to try and purchase a thermometer that is able to read both ways in order to avoid any confusion or having to buy two separate thermometers. Not all recipes will be able to give you both Fahrenheit and Celsius readings and the conversion rate is not always the same or very accurate so just get one with both to avoid all these problems.
Most oven thermometers are either hung using the small hook embedded in them or by standing them on the shelf within the oven. However, there are some that have the capability to be mounted on the rack or the wall of the oven. This will save you from having to pull it out or move it around with your oven mitts constantly. This will be the better option as the oven thermometer will stay in the same place and will also avoid the thermometer from falling inside the oven and breaking and knocking things into. It will also free up some of the oven shelf space to make way for more food to be placed inside.
Best Oven Thermometers
Taylor Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer
The Best Oven Thermometer
The first oven thermometer on our list is one of the best around due to its simplicity, price and durability. It is actually available for purchase for only around 7 bucks but it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
The thermometer is constructed of strong stainless steel to enforce durability and resist against all corrosion that may occur while in use. The 3 ½ inch dial is easy to read with its red pointer indicator and protected by clear glass cover. The thermometer is able to accurate read temperatures ranging between 100 and 600 degrees with precision. The thermometer is also able to be hung on the shelf with in the oven or place upon it.
- The thermometer is able to accurate gain temperatures between 100 and 600 degrees.
- The 3 ½ inch dial and red pointer indicator make it easy and fast to read temperatures.
- The thermometer is able to be hung or placed on an oven shelf.
- While the thermometer is very cheap it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
The Next Best Thing
The next thermometer is actually an NSF certified Thermometer and has been cleared for all food safety regulations. The thermometer is also available for an even 7 dollars but does not come with a warranty to protect it.
The thermometer is constructed of strong stainless steel which is impervious to corrosion and rust that may occur over time. It is able to read temperatures between 60 and 580 degrees without the use of electricity or a battery to power it. It is also able to be used in any and all cooking vessels other than ovens such as grills, smokers and toaster ovens if needed. The lens protects the face of the thermometer and also happens to be shatterproof.
- The thermometer is able to read temperatures between 60 and 580 degrees accurately and fast.
- The face of the lens is protected by a shatter proof, see-through lens.
- The Thermometer is NSF certified and is able to gain temperatures in any cooking vessel other than oven without the use of a power source or battery.
- No warranty.
Cooper-Atkins 24HP-01-1 Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Oven Thermometer
The Basic Oven Thermometer
The next oven thermometer is really nothing all that special but it does rank higher on the list because it will get the job done but with no extra bells and whistles. The thermometer is also only a few cents more in price than the others but does not come with a warranty to protect it.
The thermometer is slightly smaller than the others thermometers we reviewed at about 2 ¾ round dial with a red pointer indicator that makes it easy and fast to accurately read temperatures. It can also precisely gauge temperatures between 100 and 600 degrees with ease. The body is constructed of stainless steel and the face is made of shatter proof glass so it won’t break easily. The thermometer can also be either hung or placed on the oven shelf.
- The thermometer is constructed of stainless steel to avoid corrosion and rust that may occur while in use.
- The face of the thermometer has a red pointer indicator and is protected by shatter proof glass.
- The thermometer can accurately read temperatures between 100 and 600 degrees.
- No warranty.
KT THERMO Oven Thermometer
The Best Bet Thermometer
If you are comfortable with spending a little bit more money than the rest of the thermometers, then this oven thermometer will be perfect for you. It is priced at a bit more than 10 dollars but it does come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and is protected by a 2-year warranty.
The thermometer is constructed of stainless steel and has a reinforced tough glass lens protecting the face. The thermometer is able to read temperatures between 150 and 600 degrees without the use of any power or battery. The thermometer also has a swivel activated hook in which is able to hook on to anything in any direction.
- The thermometer can be place on the oven shelf or hung anywhere using the swivel and lock hook.
- The thermometer can accurately read temperatures between 150 and 600 degrees.
- The thermometer is protected by a 2-year warranty and comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.
- It is priced a little higher than the rest of the oven thermometers we reviewed.
Admetior Kitchen Oven Thermometer
Not the Best Choice to Go With
This thermometer may look like a good one to go with but it is actually priced at twice as much as the other thermometers and it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
It is able to read temperatures accurately between 50 and 500 degrees. The thermometer is constructed of stainless steel and has a reinforced glass lens to protect the face of the dial. The dial is much smaller than the rest of the thermometers coming in under 2 inches but has a red pointer to read temperatures fast and easy. The thermometer is able to be hung on the oven shelf or placed on it.
- It is able to read temperatures between 50 and 500 degrees.
- The body is constructed of stainless steel and the face is protected by a glass lens.
- The thermometer is able to be placed on an oven shelf or hung upon it.
- The thermometer is twice the cost of other thermometers and does not come with a warranty to protect it.
- Only Fahrenheit
Winco TMT-OV3
The Standard Oven Thermometer
This next oven thermometer is still pretty basic but it does come with a couple cool added features. The thermometer is NSF certified and comes with HACCP guidelines printed on the face for reference. It is very cheap as well in price but does not come with a warranty to protect it. The body is constructed of stainless steel and the face is protected by shatter proof glass. The thermometer is able to accurately read temperatures from 50 to 500 degrees fast and efficiently. It may also be either hung or placed on the oven shelf.
- The thermometer may be placed or hung on the oven shelf.
- It can accurately read temperatures between 50 and 500 degrees.
- The thermometer is NSF certified and has HACCP guidelines printed on the face of the dial.
- No warranty.
- Only Fahrenheit
AcuRite 00620A2 Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
The Safest Oven Thermometer Purchase
This oven thermometer may not be the best thermometer to go with but it is the safest buy because it is very cheap to purchase and it comes with a 10-year warranty to protect it.
The thermometer is constructed of stainless steel and has a glass lens to protect the dial. It is able to be used in an oven or a grill and may be placed on the shelf or hung inside it. It can read temperatures between 150 and 600 degrees accurately. However, it is not NSF approved and does not come with HACCP guidelines.
- The thermometer is very cheap to purchase and comes with a 10-year warranty to protect it.
- It is constructed of stainless steel and has a glass lens to protect the dial.
- It is able to be used in an oven or a grill effectively.
- The thermometer is not NSF certified and does not come with HACCP guidelines.
CDN DOT2 ProAccurate Oven Thermometer
The Shortest Range
This thermometer is very cheap to purchase but does not come with a warranty to protect it. It is NSF approved but has a very short range of reading temperatures between 150 and 500 degrees. It is constructed of stainless steel and has a protective glass lens. The thermometer may be either hung with the two-way hook or placed on the oven shelf. The face of the dial is a little larger than most at 2 ½ inches as well.
- The thermometer is NSF certified of all safety and food guidelines.
- The face is a large 2 ½ inches and is protected by a glass lens.
- The thermometer is able to be hung using the two-way hook or placed on the shelf.
- The thermometer does not come with a warranty and has a very short temperature reading range.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding a new oven thermometer, they are all very similar and really in all honesty not all that different except for a few small factors. The best way to go about this is to find the one that is highly recommended or that comes with a warranty so you could at least get your money back if it breaks or you don’t like it. But in general, any of these thermometers will do the job just fine.
I’ve read many blogs reviewing oven thermometers. All of them, except yours, praised a number of big name thermometers that either got many bad reviews or that I was personally familiar with as being faulty/inaccurate. Even Cooks Illustrated proclaimed CDN Dot2 as #1, but 350 Amazon reviewers gave it 1 to 3 stars. Kudos for apparently being the only objective reviewer that appears to have gotten it right. The KT Thermo APPEARS to be reliable, and at $12, the extra $4 is insignificant. You also might take a look at the Rubbermaid Commercial (Pelouze), $13. After going through many CDN, Admetior, Taylor, and cheaper Rubbermaid thermometers, it’s not worth it getting anything less than a large, easy to read, moisture-proof, thermometer with strong glass. Who cares if it costs $12 instead of $8.