Pellet Fan

Accessories & Essentials => Thermometers, Probes, Remote Temp Monitoring Systems etc. => Topic started by: ScottE on September 16, 2017, 11:42:36 AM

Title: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: ScottE on September 16, 2017, 11:42:36 AM
I've known about instant read thermometers for a long time, but never really paid a whole lot of attention to them - just another cool gadget that'll sit in the drawer with the rest, I thought. Well, I got my first instant read thermometer a few months ago and my grilling hasn't been the same since - I never realized how useful these are.

I've always used a traditional meat thermometer - either a standard (non-electronic) one, or electronic but slow. Often, I'd end up with meat that was over or under done from what I expected. The difference between getting the temperature in 30 seconds versus 2 really helps with getting a consistent cook and nailing doneness. Even when smoking with a probe in, it's useful for spot checking the rest of whatever I'm cooking.

I bought a Thermoworks Thermopop, but there are a number of other models and manufactures making the same sort of thing. Worth checking out if you are an amateur like me and cook by temperature, not by "feel".
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: InThePitBBQ on September 17, 2017, 07:57:00 AM
There's no substitute for a quality instant read, one of the first things I took to heart using a Thermapen was seconds really do matter when charbroiling steaks and I don't care how accomplished a cook you are there's no other way to do it right when your cooking over a 900* heat source.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: Bentley on September 19, 2017, 10:12:27 AM
Administration Note: If you are thinking of buying this device and you use this link, Pellet Fan gets a small percentage of the purchase...FYI MK4 by Thermoworks (http://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4?tw=PelletFan)
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: GREG-B on September 19, 2017, 11:38:16 AM
Administration Note: If you are thinking of buying this device and you use this link, Pellet Fan gets a small percentage of the purchase...FYI MK4 by Thermoworks (http://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4?tw=PelletFan)

Is it automatically credited to Pelletfans or is there some code or procedure that assures you get the credit?
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: LowSlowJoe on September 19, 2017, 11:48:33 AM
You know for years, I got by without a instant read... I've been using leave in thermometers mostly.  A little more then a year ago, was when I first got my Thermopop... and ScottE has noted... I use it way more then I ever thought I would.  I still use leave in remote sensing probes in fairly often, but they have their disadvantages, one of the big disadvantages of them, is they only read the temperature in that one spot... and generally don't work well in thin cuts of meat. 

 Anyway, I too am a bit of a convert to instant read thermometers... many uses and I would have a hard time getting by without one these days.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: Bentley on September 19, 2017, 02:03:11 PM
I believe just using the link. 

And for anyone that see this, not to make you web cops, but if you see folks posting links to Thermoworks, just ask them to make sure it is one associate with Pellet Fan, or send just click on the report button and say way in the caption...Don't mind the links now, would just like us to get our cut if folks are gonna do it!

?tw=PelletFan---I guess this is the magic at the end of our (or any link on Thermoworks site) that will allow me to spend the winters in the South of France...


Administration Note: If you are thinking of buying this device and you use this link, Pellet Fan gets a small percentage of the purchase...FYI MK4 by Thermoworks (http://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4?tw=PelletFan)

Is it automatically credited to Pelletfans or is there some code or procedure that assures you get the credit?
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: GregW on September 19, 2017, 06:28:29 PM
I have the Thermoworks MK4 and have had it for about a years. It's an outstanding thermometer and has quickly became my favorite kitchen tool.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: Canadian John on September 30, 2017, 12:51:27 PM
Mark4 for me..It has so many more features than the Classic that in itself is a super thermometer...It is hard to beat Thermoworks quality and service.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: Jon515 on October 25, 2017, 11:38:43 PM
+1 Thermoworks, they are outstanding!
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: David on October 26, 2017, 05:07:47 AM
I bought all kinds of cheap thermometers ,  but one day I finally bought a thermapen, and it is great I think they are the best thing a cook can buy 
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: TLK on October 26, 2017, 07:46:44 AM
Agreed!  I have had a MK4 for a few months now and really like it
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: ylr on October 26, 2017, 06:46:14 PM
Administration Note: If you are thinking of buying this device and you use this link, Pellet Fan gets a small percentage of the purchase...FYI MK4 by Thermoworks (http://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4?tw=PelletFan)

Getting a "Page not found" with that link now......
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: Bentley on October 26, 2017, 09:40:02 PM
Don't know if it is your device or browser.  It comes up on IE and my laptop.  It should basically have this at the end of the regular page...

Mk4?tw=PelletFan
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: ylr on October 27, 2017, 10:20:09 AM
I dunno, it works now. Maybe they were doing some site maintenance?  ::)
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: Mudflap on October 27, 2017, 04:51:10 PM
I have a MK4 and love it.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: BeachBlues on November 02, 2017, 02:22:38 PM
I decided about 4 months ago to shop for an "instant read" thermometer, after researching just what that meant.  For the MK4, that's 2-3 seconds.  I finally stumbled on this little gem, a LavaTools P12 Javelin, available on Amazon for $25. 

Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer

It reads "instantly" in 3-4 seconds, well into my acceptable range for 1/4 the cost of the MK4.  Besides, if it didn't work that great, I would have just sent it back.  No bells and whistles.  No backlight (I don't smoke without a light on), display doesn't rotate (I can read upside down), and comes in about 6 colors (I like red because I can find it no matter where I lay it down).  Added bonus is the magnet on the back to stick it to my pellet box between temp checks.  If you're on the fence about buying one, and you're a Prime member, you can have one in 2 days, try it, then return it if you don't agree with my assessment.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: ScottE on November 03, 2017, 10:11:49 AM
Price is why I went with the Thermopop. I'm really happy with it, I use it when I otherwise wouldn't use a meat thermometer.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: riverrat49 on November 03, 2017, 10:16:15 AM
Been using Lavatools Javelin Pro in Competition/Caterings since July 3rd, it has proven every bit as reliable, fast and accurate as my now deceased Thermapen, yeah I have to wait an extra second for the read-out but for right now it works and works well.

I decided about 4 months ago to shop for an "instant read" thermometer, after researching just what that meant.  For the MK4, that's 2-3 seconds.  I finally stumbled on this little gem, a LavaTools P12 Javelin, available on Amazon for $25. 

Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer

It reads "instantly" in 3-4 seconds, well into my acceptable range for 1/4 the cost of the MK4.  Besides, if it didn't work that great, I would have just sent it back.  No bells and whistles.  No backlight (I don't smoke without a light on), display doesn't rotate (I can read upside down), and comes in about 6 colors (I like red because I can find it no matter where I lay it down).  Added bonus is the magnet on the back to stick it to my pellet box between temp checks.  If you're on the fence about buying one, and you're a Prime member, you can have one in 2 days, try it, then return it if you don't agree with my assessment.
Title: Re: Instant read thermometers: a super useful item for grilling
Post by: jacksdad on November 07, 2017, 05:39:59 AM
I have what is now called the super fast thermapen.  About $20 or so iirc.  Was so impressed I bought a dozen to give as gifts to family and friends who love cooking.  This was several years ago.  I still get ‘man that thing is awesome’ from people I gave them to. 


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