Have you ever tried to make some specialty, and it just didn’t turn out as good as the one you’ve tasted in a restaurant or at your friend’s house?
You did everything by the book, but you were a bit disappointed by the result?
Your family hasn’t said anything, but you could tell by their faces that they were expecting a little bit more, and you felt you let them down?
There is a big chance that it wasn’t your fault.
The fact is that a lot of ovens (even if they are brand new) give you false information about the temperature inside. This may well be the cause of your imperfect meal.
A few years ago, I found the solution to this problem.
Best Oven Thermometer Reviews
By using an oven thermometer, I’ve overcome the problem of bad temperature distribution in the oven.
A lot of recipes demand a certain temperature for a meal to turn out the way it should, so the usage of an oven thermometer is more than required. This little device is a well-known “secret” in professional kitchens.
It helped me make perfect specialties for numerous occasions, and I’m always using it!
Reasons to Use Oven Thermometer
- Most of the oven’s internal thermometers (if they have one at all) show the temperature of the location where they are placed, but because of the hot spots, the position of the heaters, and temperature cycles, the temperature inside of an oven is not evenly distributed. That means that you can measure the temperature of a certain place in the oven only with a movable thermometer.
- An oven may not be properly calibrated. The impact of the oven that is off by only 40-50 degrees F (Fahrenheit) can be pretty significant! Over the years, I’ve learned that accuracy is crucial if you want to cook properly. I will just add that some ovens can be off by as much as 90-100 degrees!
- If you are using an oven thermometer, you can have full control over the cooking process. It is a necessary item for consistent and reliable results and for recipes that require precise temperatures.
- Efficient overheating prevention.
- It can be used for comparing with the temperature displayed on the oven dial.
- Their biggest advantage in comparing with other types of thermometers (e.g., thermometers with probe) is the fact that you can simply put them in the oven at the start of the cooking process. They can withstand high temperatures during the entire cooking process and provide you with information about the temperature in the oven at any time during the process. You don’t have to open the oven door and needlessly cool off the oven.
Types of Oven Thermometers
There are several divisions of oven thermometers:
- Digital oven thermometers.
- Oven thermometers with a dial face (analog).
I’ve used both types, and although the digitals are faster, I prefer the ones with a dial face (they are, in my experience, more precise and can withstand higher temperatures).
- Division by size and shape.
- By the maximum temperature that can withstand (to about 600 F ).
- By price.
- There are thermometers for different purposes: candy thermometers, meat thermometers, refrigerator thermometers, smoker thermometers…
- Thermometers are for grill ovens and kitchen countertop convection ovens.
Oven thermometers can hang, clip or stand, some of them show Celsius temperature scale, some show Fahrenheit scale, and there are also those that show both.
How to Use The Oven Thermometer
In case you’ve never used some kind of oven thermometer, here’s a quick guide:
- Put the thermometer in the oven – it’s critical where you put it (I like to place it close to the middle of the oven, where the food cooks). Also, make sure that you can see what the thermometer displays when you close the oven (place it near the door glass).
- Turn on the oven, set it to the appropriate temperature, and wait for it to heat up. The thermometer will need a little more time than the oven itself, depending on the type of the thermometer and the type of the oven.
- After several minutes check the dial of the thermometer and compare it to the temperature, you’ve set on your oven. Adjust the temperature of your oven if needed (it is very common that the temperature inside the oven is lower than it should be).
- Place the meal you want to cook in the oven. Check the dial of the thermometer periodically and readjust the temperature of the oven if needed.
Be careful when you decide to take out or move the thermometer because it will be very hot!
Learn How To Find Affordable and Quality Oven Mitts
What to Look For When Buying Oven Thermometer
For me, and I think you’ll agree, the most important attribute of an oven thermometer is accuracy. That is my number one condition!
Of course, small variations are inevitable, but it is imperative that the thermometer that I’m using is consistent and reliable.
Display (or dial) readability and durability are also significant.
The speed of the thermometer is not critical, but it plays a part in my decision-making when I’m choosing which oven thermometer shall I use.
I also prefer those which are easy to install (place) in the oven. I’ve had some unpleasant experiences with oven thermometers that are too hard to set properly (they were too loose, and they would fall off from the racks).
I also advise not to buy oven thermometers that are not NSF-approved.
Every oven thermometer has its temperature range, and you should check if you don’t want your thermometer to melt inside the oven!
See Also: List of Recommended Oven Cleaners
Most Recommended Oven Thermometers: Detailed Reviews 2022
I chose to present to you several oven thermometers I’ve used over the years.
I’ve tested them a lot, sometimes more than one at the same time, so I became familiar with all of their features.
I hope that my experience will help you to choose the right one for your needs.
Best Oven Thermometer Reviews
Rubbermaid Commercial FGTHO550 Stainless Steel Oven Monitoring Thermometer
This is a very affordable oven thermometer I’ve used for years. It’s made of stainless steel, and it’s fairly large and easy to read. Displays both Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales. It is sealed and totally mechanical.
Potential stains can be easily cleaned with scouring pads or fine steel wool. It has a white dial with black letters, and it can hang or be put on a flat surface. It reads pretty quickly, and the only problem I had with it is that the base is too small (sometimes it would fall through the oven racks).
Temperature Range: 60-590 degrees F
Color: Stainless
Things I liked:
- It reads pretty quickly.
- Inexpensive
- It has a durable lens that will not shatter.
- NSF-approved
- Measures both Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Displays clearly marked temperatures.
- Suitable for both professional and home kitchens
Things I didn’t like:
- Not waterproof
- It is not very accurate below 200 degrees F
- The hook should be a bit larger (can fall off when accidentally touched)
- The base is too small
- Can be easily knocked down from racks
Taylor Precision Products Classic Series Large Dial Thermometer (Oven)
This one has a colorful 3-1/4-inch dial with big numbers and a red pointer to indicate temperature which makes this oven thermometer very easy to read. I can see the temperature from several feet away!
It can either stand or hang from the oven racks. This large oven thermometer is also durable (I had the same one for years). It is very fast and fairly reliable.
Temperature Range: 100-600 degrees F
Color: Stainless
Things I liked:
- Can be both hung from a rack or stand on its own
- Durable
- Corrosion-resistant
- NSF approved
- Extra-large
- Inexpensive
- Measures both Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Resists corrosion
- Resistant to scratches and other signs of damage
- Lenses made from tempered glass
Things I didn’t like:
- The pointer may get stuck
- It shows a significantly big difference when compared with other oven thermometers
- Not waterproof
- Heard a lot of people complaining about its inaccuracy
- Experienced over-baking once or twice while using it
Related article: Most Recommended Cookie Press
2 Pack Large 3″ Dial Oven Thermometer – KT THERMO NSF-approved
This two-pack of 3-inch dial oven thermometers by KT-Thermo is an excellent option if you want to have not one, but two reliable and NSF-approved thermometers to check the doneness of your meat and all of the meals you cook and bake.
The thermometers have an option to stand on the oven rack or tray or to be hung inside the oven. The hook can rotate, so you can hang the device at any angle, which is easy to view through the oven door.
Each of them has a large, easy-to-read dial, with measurement readings from 150 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, with increments, as well as added guides for the proper temperature settings for warming, rare, medium baking, roasting, and broiling.
Temperature range: 150 – 600 degrees F
Color: silver
Things I liked:
- You get two accurate thermometers at a fair price
- An easy to view dial with large numbers, increments, and guides for different types of cooking
- A stand and a rotating hook for different attachment options
- Durable stainless steel body and heat-resistant glass lens
- Sold with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty
- A 2.75-inch dial, and an overall height of 3.62 inches
Things I didn’t like:
- The hook may be a tad small to meddle with when wearing oven mitts
- No calibration option
Cooper-Atkins 24HP-01-1 Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Oven Thermometer
While I’m using this oven thermometer, I can concentrate solely on my cooking, and I don’t have to worry about temperature problems because this thermometer is quite reliable and accurate.
Yes, the display is not perfect, and the temperature can vary a little bit, but I’ve never made a bad meal while I was using this thermometer. As a matter of fact, every time I used this thermometer my meals turned out perfectly!
When I want to make some “demanding” specialty which requires very precise and specific temperature I’m using this useful item!
Temperature Range:10-600 degrees F
Color: Stainless Steel
Things I liked:
- NSF Approved
- I haven’t experienced any over-baking while using it
- Has HACCP reference dial
- 1 Year Warranty
- Able to hang or stand freely
- Very accurate
- Durable
- Measures both Fahrenheit and Celsius
Things I didn’t like:
- Not waterproof
- Not easy to read
- Accuracy varies +/- 25 F
- Not the fastest one on the market
CDN DOT2 ProAccurate Large Dial Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
This one is accurate, very durable. Made from heavy-duty stainless steel and built to last.
The most interesting feature for me is the dial that displays temperatures grouped into cooking zones (low, warm moderate, very hot, and boil)!
This is a very convenient addition to an already very good and useful item.
This thermometer has a wide base and two-way hook which allows you to place it anywhere in the oven. With a large dial indicator, this oven thermometer is one of my favorites!
Temperature Range:150-550 degrees F
Color: Silver
Things I liked:
- Large
- NSF-approved
- Easy-to-read displayed numbers
- Made for both professional and home kitchens
- Two-way mounting: stand or hang
- 5 year limited warranty
- Made of commercial-grade stainless steel
- Has durable laboratory-quality glass lens
- Resists cracking and breaking
- Two-way hook
- Measures both Fahrenheit and Celsius
Things I didn’t like:
- Sometimes displays slightly lower temperature
- Not 100% sealed
- Not waterproof
- The letters on the dial are quite small
- Not very handy to place it in the oven
And The Best Oven Thermometer You Can Get Today is…
Above I’ve listed five of my favorite oven thermometers and tried to bring them closer to you.
They were all very useful, but I must say that I was the most satisfied with CDN DOT2 ProAccurate, which never let me down!
Made for both professional and recreational cooks, this oven thermometer is durable, large, shows both Fahrenheit and Celsius scale and you get a 5-year warranty.
And, the most important thing for me is that this oven thermometer helped me create some of the most delicious meals I’ve ever made! 😉