The Best Oven Thermometers

If you're trying to cook something, but your oven isn't at the right temperature, you're going to have a bad time. If it's too low, your food will take forever to cook. But, if it's too hot, you'll find the bottom of your food burning before your timer even goes off. Maintaining the right temperature is important, and to do it right, you'll want to get yourself an oven thermometer. This simple tool quickly provides you with an accurate temperature reading so that you can tell exactly how hot your oven is running. When you know this, you can make adjustments when you're turning your oven on to ensure your food will cook the way you intend it to. To help you cook at the right temperature, here are a few of our favorite oven thermometers.

Pecula Large 3″ Dial Oven Thermometer

You can use this thermometer in your oven, toaster oven, grill, smoker, or any other appliance that heats food. Since it’s so versatile, you won’t have to invest in different products to ensure your food is always cooking at the right temperature, no matter what you’re cooking it in.

The scale on this thermometer goes from 100-600 degrees Fahrenheit. It also shows the temperature in Celsius. It’s easy to see which number it’s pointed at thanks to the red indicator. You can hang this thermometer on the rack, or stand it up next to your food so you can use it anywhere.

Pros

  • Good range (100-600) so you can check the temperature at a variety of heat levels
  • Durable stainless steel and glass design that will last for years
  • Doesn’t take batteries, so you will never need to replace them
  • Glass cover doesn’t get cloudy, it stays easy to read

Cons

  • Fairly small size (2-inch diameter) so if you’re looking for a larger unit you’ll want a different one.
  • The hanging feature is a little awkward to use, it doesn’t fit properly on every size rack, so you may need to use the stand instead.

ThermoPro TP-07 Wireless Thermometer

If you want to cook your meat and other food to perfection, you need an oven thermometer like this one from ThermoPro. You simply insert the probe into your food and string the wire out of the oven and into the transmitter nearby. This transmitter sends the information wirelessly to the receiver. Then no matter where you are in the home, you can instantly see how your food is coming along.

You can set the desired temperature before you get started, and the LCD screen will change colors as the food approaches that temperature. Once it’s the right temp, your unit will flash and emit an audible beep so you know it’s time to go get it out of the oven. If you frequently forget about food, this can be a great tool to avoid burning things.

Pros

  • Long-range transmission (300 feet) so you aren’t stuck in your kitchen waiting for your food to get done
  • Digital thermometer that’s easy to see
  • Built-in timer and countdown feature to help you keep track of cooking
  • Color-coded LCD screen to help you tell how close to temperature your food is getting

Cons

  • Need to have the wire sticking out of your oven (it won’t affect the seal), which can look a little funny.
  • Takes AAA batteries, which may need replacing every few months.

KT Thermo Oven Thermometer

If you’re looking for an oven thermometer that’s easy to install, simple to read, and very precise, you’ll love this one. The angled hook lets you hang it from an oven rack, and it gives you a good viewing angle. You won’t be cranking your neck trying to see the numbers. It gives you an accurate reading of any temperature, between 100-600 degrees Fahrenheit.

This oven thermometer will last for years, too. It’s made from durable stainless steel that is safe to use with high temperatures. The toughened glass lens is resistant to breaking. Both materials are easy to clean, so if your thermometer gets dirty, you can just wipe it down.

Pros

  • Large size (3-inch diameter) makes it easy to see and read
  • Hangs easily, so you won’t waste any time installing it
  • Sturdy stand, so if you prefer to set it next to your food you can

Cons

  • The thin angled hook is a little harder to remove, especially when you’re wearing a thick oven mitt (it gets hot). It’s easier to wait until it’s cooled down to take it out.

Hotloop Digital Oven Thermometer

The digital LCD display on this oven thermometer is easy to read at a glance. You won’t struggle to pinpoint exactly which number the indicator is pointing to.  You simply place the probe in the oven and run the wire up to the display. The door will still shut tightly. Since the probe is made from food-safe materials, you can even pop it right into your food if you want.

Once it’s in place, you can check the temperature without opening the oven door. This is important since heat rushes out each time you open the door and frequent opening can make your food take longer to cook. You’ll have delicious food at precisely the right temperature before you know it.

Pros

  • LCD display is out of the oven so you can check on your food without disrupting it
  • Accurate to about 2 degrees, giving you confidence in the temperature readings
  • Probe made from food-grade stainless steel that can go in your food without leaving an after taste or adding chemicals
  • Celsius/Fahrenheit switch to show you the temperature in the mode you prefer

Cons

  • Probes won’t last as long as the receiver, so you might need to replace that part eventually
  • No clip on the probe, so it can take some time to find a good position

Taylor Precision Products Oven Thermometer

If you don’t have a lot of wiggle room in the budget, don’t despair. You aren’t stuck dealing with an inaccurate oven. This budget-friendly oven thermometer can help you adjust the temperature so your food cooks perfectly each time.

This thermometer is large (3-inch diameter) and easy to read. In addition to degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius, this dial also shows three different cooking zones so that you can get a better sense of how your food is cooking. The lower temperatures are the warming zone, the middle the baking zone, and the hotter temperatures make up the roasting zone. No matter the temperature, this simple oven thermometer can help your food turn out more consistently.

Pros

  • Low price points to make it accessible to more cooks
  • Stainless steel construction resists corrosion and rust, so it lasts longer
  • Dual placement options so you can hang it or use the stand
  • Good range of temperature (100-600 degrees Fahrenheit)

Cons

  • When hanging, this isn’t very secure, so it might fall when you pull a pan out or put one in.
  • Takes some time to display the correct temperature, so this isn’t an instant-read thermometer

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use an oven thermometer?

To see how accurate your temperature dial is on your oven, you can set the oven thermometer in and then turn your oven on. When your oven has preheated, open the door and read the temperature on the thermometer. If your oven is accurate, the two numbers will be very close. If they are not, take note of how off they are. Then, adjust your oven by this amount and wait for it to arrive at the temperature. You can then use this information to make adjustments to your temperature dial each time you use your oven.

Are oven thermometers safe to use?

Most oven thermometers are made from materials that are food safe. If it accidentally touches your food, it won’t cause any harm. These materials can also withstand the heat, so you won’t have to worry about it shattering as the oven gets hot. However, the thermometer will get hot in the oven. If you touch it with bare skin, you will get burned. Always use an oven mitt to move or shift hot thermometers.