When it comes to achieving barbecue greatness, precision matters. Grill thermometers play a crucial role in ensuring your meats are cooked to perfection, whether you’re smoking brisket, grilling steaks, or slow-roasting ribs. You might wonder why your grill’s built-in thermometer isn’t sufficient. The main reason is inaccuracies in temperature readings. We explore this topic further in our guide on using your grill’s built-in thermometer. Additionally, understanding how to tell when meat is done is essential for interpreting the thermometer readings in terms of food safety and doneness. Let’s explore the benefits of using barbecue grill thermometers to help you make an informed choice for your next barbecue adventure.
Benefits of Grill Thermometers
By now, we’ve covered the key feature points you should evaluate when researching a grilling thermometer, dove into the variety of wireless options, given you a quick crash course on how these handy little flavor savors operate (for further detail, invite your nearest technician to your next cookout). But for those of you still on the fence with buying a grilling thermometer, we've drummed up the eight biggest advantages to keeping one —and we mean an accurate, durable one — within reach.
Guarantee Food Safety
Grill thermometers are the only reliable way to ensure that your food reaches the appropriate internal temperature and removes the risk of food-borne illnesses.
Sharper Consistency
With all other factors equal, cooking at the same temperatures means repeatable results and tightening those delicious dishes to utter perfection.
Better Tasting Food
Eyeballing internal temperature risks overcooking or undercooking food. Dailing in the appropriate temperature grants a better understanding of how to achieve the perfect doneness.
Completes Any Kitchen Toolkit
They’re not just for barbecue. Grill thermometers are a vital part of any utensil drawer to measure temperatures of all food in the indoor or outdoor kitchen.
What to Look For In BBQ Grill Thermometers
Every barbecue thermometer should, at minimum, deliver spot-on temperatures in an instant. But modern thermometers can do much more. The best grill thermometers on the market give you aster results, wireless reading delivery, automatic alerts, and sturdier heat resistance. All these features work together to ensure your thermometer lasts a lifetime and your food is safe and delicious.
Heat Resistance
- Should be able to withstand temperatures of up to 600°F and higher
- Look for a thermometer that can withstand the rigors of the cooking process without getting damaged or destroyed
- Find a thermometer that lets you avoid opening the hood, letting precious heat escape
Wireless Range
- Using a wireless thermometer means you don’t have to go back and forth between the grill and the device to get an accurate reading
- Remote digital thermometers bypass the need for a Bluetooth connection or a smartphone app
- Many grill thermometers can transmit readings wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical connections
Automatic Alerts
- Look for a thermometer with pinpoint accuracy that can handle high temperatures
- Extended range thermometers allow you to focus on other tasks without constantly checking the grill
- Choose a thermometer that alerts you at specific temperatures so it will ping you when your food is ready
Ease of Use
- Your chosen thermometer should be able to deliver readings quickly
- Choose a thermometer that you can see yourself using that doesn’t cause frustration or require excessive time spent navigating menus
- Select a thermometer that has clear, easy-to-understand readings without confusing menus or buttons
Wireless Thermometers VS Instant Read Probe Thermometers
Now that you understand what features to weigh, let’s talk about the different designs. Firstly, you can split the category into two: wireless barbecue thermometers that allow you to check on your grill or smoker from a remote device or your paired smartphone, and instant read probe thermometers that offer a faster more hands-on experience instead of wireless capabilities. Both have their advantages and specialties and work well in different situations.
Wireless Probe Thermometers
- Keep an eye on temperatures from afar with confidence
- Free yourself from watching the grill to host and multi-task
- Keep the lid closed and heat inside the grill by checking your temps remotely
- Temperature readings are not as quick as instant-read
Wireless grill thermometer probes securely monitor your food using a heatproof cable. By doing so, you can avoid the constant heat loss that occurs when opening the lid. While these probes are nearly as accurate as alternative methods, they may not be as fast. Also, be careful with the probe lines to avoid expensive replacements.
Instant Read Thermometers
- Get fast and accurate readings in seconds
- Simple design makes it easy to read without complicated buttons
- Great for spot-checking several things in sequence
- Useful for occasionally checking temps quickly, as opposed to constant monitoring
Instant read thermometers excel at just that—fast temps at your fingertips. They’re best used for quick cooks, spot checking, and taking the temperature of several things at the same time such as multiple burgers or chicken breasts. These pocket-sized, portable tools are a must-have for any backyard griller.
Types of Wireless Grill Thermometers
There are several ways to make extended range thermometers work for you. Each solution to getting those readings efficiently from your grill to your pocket comes with its own perks and considerations. And we’re here to help you compare all those solutions.
Wi-Fi Thermometers
- Easily connects to an app on your smartphone for special features
- Able to be monitored anywhere with a strong Wi-Fi signal
- Use on the go with mobile hotspots
- Be sure your Wi-Fi signal can reach to where your grill lives
These thermometers connect to your home Wi-Fi network and are often controlled by a mobile app. If you want a stronger range than radio frequencies can offer you, then Wi-Fi is probably your best option. Just be aware of possible wireless congestion from many competing devices and know your home’s Wi-Fi blind spots.
Bluetooth Thermometers
- Usually connects to a dedicated smartphone companion app
- These thermometers typically come with the most features
- Typically capable of reaching ranges up to 150 ft or more
- Bluetooth signal can struggle if there are a lot of physical obstructions interfering with the connection
These grill thermometers are generally the most state-of-the-art option. They connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, usually transmitting useful information to an elegant companion app, and have the furthest range of your wireless choices. While a remote digital thermometer is relatively short-range and a Wi-Fi device depends on there being a strong Wi-Fi signal around, Bluetooth rises above these limitations. However, they’re finicky about interference, and your smartphone battery life might pay for the convenience.
Remote Digital Thermometers
- Radio frequencies don’t interfere with Wi-Fi signals
- No smart features, but less to keep up with
- One of the most portable choices
- It is important not to lose the remote
If you have several smart devices connected to Wi-Fi it can cause interference with your thermometer. Remote digital thermometers remove this issue as well as any fancy bells and whistles and narrow down the technology to a simple remote.
Infrared Digital Thermometers
- See accurate surface temperatures without contact in seconds
- Excellent for getting quick scans of the cooking area
- Handy for dozens of home applications
- Not suitable to measure food doneness or safety
These measure surfaces, not internal temperatures, so if you want to know the exact heat of your cooking grates, here’s how you find out in no time. They rarely ever pair with smartphones and aren’t reliant on signal strength.
Things to Consider
Now that you’ve learned all about grilling thermometers, you’re on your way to tastier dishes. There are just a few more points to cover regarding some lesser-known accessories that are adjacent to grilling thermometers.
BBQ Temperature Controllers
These are not technically grill thermometers, but instead what BBQ temperature controllers do is regulate the airflow inside your grill or smoker. This helps you achieve and maintain your desired cooking temperature by adjusting the flow of air.
Thermometer & Temperature Controller Parts
While these devices are engineered to withstand piping hot grills and meats, the more sensitive components can get damaged if not properly taken care of. Probes and probe cables can get chipped or crushed in your grill lid, and improper storage or moisture can lead to failure on the digital components. Luckily, we carry a variety of replacement thermometer and temperature controller parts to get you back to grilling.
If you have any questions about grill thermometers, give us a call at 1-877-743-2269. Our experts can help steer you in the right direction when it comes to the best grills and accessories for your lifestyle. Keep in mind also that these handy tools make great gifts for all your grill loving friends and family.