Pellet Fan

All Things Considered => General Discussion--Food Related => Topic started by: TLK on September 14, 2017, 10:24:43 AM

Title: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: TLK on September 14, 2017, 10:24:43 AM
Now I gotta ask.....

how much difference is there between the thermoworks thermapen vs the less expensive ones found on amazon?  Is the higher price justified or is this simply corvette vs chevette??
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: triplebq on September 14, 2017, 10:42:38 AM
Honestly I have used thermoworks and "cheap" thermometers with great success. I have never done a side by side comparison but I doubt they are that much difference.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on September 14, 2017, 10:47:00 AM
Thermoworks RT600C is on sale for $19.  I think this is a great thermometer.  Doesn't have features of the Thermapen, but if you are concerned about spending $, this is the one to get.  I also like the ThermoPop.  It is $29 and has a few more features than the RT600C.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: LowSlowFoShow on September 14, 2017, 11:02:33 AM
I have been really happy with my $24.99 Lavatools PT12.  I have one in the kitchen and one out on the grill.  I've given about 10 as gifts I like them so much:


Pick yours up today
http://amzn.to/2f8sUzy (http://amzn.to/2f8sUzy)
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: MN-Smoker on September 14, 2017, 11:13:26 AM

Watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzt9pSEpkA

I have a thermapen.  When you buy, I think they might offer a second one at a lower price.

It's been one of few areas where I "spent the extra money" but I know other thermometers have really improved as well.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: LowSlowFoShow on September 14, 2017, 11:17:34 AM

Watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzt9pSEpkA

I have a thermapen.  When you buy, I think they might offer a second one at a lower price.

It's been one of few areas where I "spent the extra money" but I know other thermometers have really improved as well.

I don't ever find myself testing ice water but ya, thermapen is quicker.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: MN-Smoker on September 14, 2017, 11:32:29 AM

Watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzt9pSEpkA

I have a thermapen.  When you buy, I think they might offer a second one at a lower price.

It's been one of few areas where I "spent the extra money" but I know other thermometers have really improved as well.

I don't ever find myself testing ice water but ya, thermapen is quicker.

They could have done a test on chicken breasts at 165 I suppose and I assume reaction times would have been similar.
That was kind of the point of the test.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: LowSlowFoShow on September 14, 2017, 11:34:29 AM

Watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzt9pSEpkA

I have a thermapen.  When you buy, I think they might offer a second one at a lower price.

It's been one of few areas where I "spent the extra money" but I know other thermometers have really improved as well.

I don't ever find myself testing ice water but ya, thermapen is quicker.

They could have done a test on chicken breasts at 165 I suppose and I assume reaction times would have been similar.
That was kind of the point of the test.

Right, just seems strange they tested ice water when everyone uses them for testing meat temps.  Maybe they should send me a thermapen to test out!
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: MP09 on September 14, 2017, 12:21:47 PM
Thermapen has enabled several cooks to come out perfect. I used to have issues with tri tip and different thermometers until I broke down and bought a thermapen.  Now I can cook with confidence!
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: MN-Smoker on September 14, 2017, 03:23:27 PM
I think the biggest advantage of the thermapen is when you are over a hot grill with bare hands.

You want to poke to get a quick read before your bare hand starts getting burnt (if using high temps).

Of course, wearing a glove, using lower heat, etc., would all avert this scenario, but that's when I appreciate the quick reading.

Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on September 14, 2017, 03:32:47 PM
I think the biggest advantage of the thermapen is when you are over a hot grill with bare hands.

You want to poke to get a quick read before your bare hand starts getting burnt (if using high temps).

Of course, wearing a glove, using lower heat, etc., would all avert this scenario, but that's when I appreciate the quick reading.

Also, if you have a lot of pieces of meat to check you want something that reads fast.  My brother uses the Thermapen on his rotisserie style stick burner to check 100's of pounds of meat he has on there.  He doesn't want to let a lot of heat out and because he has the rotisseries stopped to check the meat temps he doesn't want the grease to drip on the fire for an extended period of time.  Having a fast read thermometer allows him to zip through with reduced risk.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: Bentley on September 14, 2017, 03:35:25 PM
Yes, I believe application needs more then performance of products. 
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: TLK on September 14, 2017, 03:47:29 PM
Thanks for all the opinions - one of the reasons I love this site!

I went ahead and purchased the thermopen using the discount that was offered.  I imagine I will forever be on their mailing list now so will pass along any sales that come along.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on September 14, 2017, 03:49:00 PM
I use the RT600C a lot because it has a smaller tip too so it is easier to use on smaller cuts of meat like steaks, chicken breasts, pork chops, sausage, etc.  It is pretty quick too.  Great value at $19.

I once lost the cover and asked them if I could buy a new one.  They sent me one for free!
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: Quadman750 on September 14, 2017, 07:27:52 PM
I like the fast response from the thermapen when I have many things to check quickly, winters here in Canada are cold, the faster I can get the lid closed the better.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: bregent on September 14, 2017, 09:59:16 PM

Watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzt9pSEpkA

I have a thermapen.  When you buy, I think they might offer a second one at a lower price.

It's been one of few areas where I "spent the extra money" but I know other thermometers have really improved as well.

I don't ever find myself testing ice water but ya, thermapen is quicker.

They could have done a test on chicken breasts at 165 I suppose and I assume reaction times would have been similar.
That was kind of the point of the test.

That test is surely not indicative of the performance of a normal Lavatools Thermawand. I'm not sure if it's rigged or if they just came across a bad one. I've had one for 2 years and just tested it - average of 5 tests:

From 212 to 32 in 3.89 seconds
From 32 to 212 in 4.12 seconds

So the Thermapen might be 1 second faster. Thermoworks products certainly have a better build quality, but for pure performance, it's not worth >3X the price for me.
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: LowSlowFoShow on September 14, 2017, 11:40:26 PM

Watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzt9pSEpkA

I have a thermapen.  When you buy, I think they might offer a second one at a lower price.

It's been one of few areas where I "spent the extra money" but I know other thermometers have really improved as well.

I don't ever find myself testing ice water but ya, thermapen is quicker.

They could have done a test on chicken breasts at 165 I suppose and I assume reaction times would have been similar.
That was kind of the point of the test.

That test is surely not indicative of the performance of a normal Lavatools Thermawand. I'm not sure if it's rigged or if they just came across a bad one. I've had one for 2 years and just tested it - average of 5 tests:

From 212 to 32 in 3.89 seconds
From 32 to 212 in 4.12 seconds

So the Thermapen might be 1 second faster. Thermoworks products certainly have a better build quality, but for pure performance, it's not worth >3X the price for me.

Agreed!
Title: Re: Instant Read Thermometer
Post by: riverrat49 on September 15, 2017, 07:09:56 AM
been using the Lavatools Javelin Pro ever since my beloved Thermapen with its glow in the dark magnetic case got run over by the car, amazing to note it still works great you just can't read the numbers on the shattered screen  :(