BBQ Thermometers

A good meat thermometer is the single biggest upgrade you can make to your barbecue. It takes the guesswork out of brisket, steak, chicken and roasts, and it's the difference between juicy and dry.

There are two kinds, and most cooks end up with both. An instant-read checks doneness in seconds: the Thermapen ONE gives a full reading in about one second. A leave-in probe stays in the meat for the whole cook and tells you when to pull it: the wireless MEATER range, or the ThermoWorks Smoke, ChefAlarm and DOT.

You'll also find spare probes, boots and wall brackets, plus infrared thermometers for pizza stones and griddles. Not sure which suits your cooking? The guide below sorts it out, or ask the Que Crew in Brunswick.

23 products

Which meat thermometer do I need?

  • Checking doneness fast: Thermapen ONE (instant-read, about 1 second).
  • Probe plus infrared: Thermapen IR, for meat and for pizza stones or griddles.
  • Long cooks with a cable probe: ThermoWorks Smoke (meat and pit channels, wireless receiver), ChefAlarm (with timer) or DOT (simple single alarm).
  • No wires at all: MEATER Plus, MEATER Pro, Pro Duo (two probes) or Pro XL (four probes).

Instant-read vs leave-in

An instant-read lives in your pocket and checks several spots in seconds. A leave-in watches one spot for hours and alarms at your target. On a brisket, use the leave-in to know when to start checking, and the instant-read to confirm the flat is probe-tender.

Tips

  • Probe the thickest part, away from bone.
  • Check more than one spot on big cuts.
  • Rest the meat: the temperature keeps climbing for a few minutes after it comes off.

FAQs

What's the best meat thermometer for BBQ?
For checking doneness, the Thermapen ONE. For long cooks, a leave-in like MEATER Pro or ThermoWorks Smoke. Most pitmasters use one of each.

Thermapen or MEATER?
Different jobs. Thermapen is instant-read and checks in about a second. MEATER stays in the meat and reports to your phone for the whole cook.

Can I leave a Thermapen in the meat?
No. It's instant-read only. Use a MEATER, Smoke, ChefAlarm or DOT for leave-in.

Is the Thermapen made by ThermoWorks?
The Thermapen is designed and made by ETI in England. ThermoWorks sells it in North America.

Do wireless thermometers work in a kamado?
Yes, though thick ceramic and steel can shorten Bluetooth range. Wi-Fi models like the MEATER Pro Duo and Pro XL help.