Best Meat Thermometers for 2024

The most important part of any thermometer test is accuracy. When compiling the best list entries, we take this criterion most seriously and it is the most scientific test. We used a medical-grade thermometer as a benchmark for accuracy and tested the meat probe’s variability at that temperature.

Ice water test

Testing the accuracy of a thermometer usually requires a cup, some ice cubes, and water. Due to the nature of water, it is both a liquid and a solid at 32°F (0C), so we can reliably get it to that temperature. You can lower the water temperature to 32 degrees Fahrenheit by filling a tall glass with ice and adding water (chill the water so the ice doesn’t melt).

We then inserted the medical grade probe and the meat probe we were testing and stirred until the medical grade thermometer read 32F. When this happens, we record the temperature reading of the meat probe being tested to see if there is a difference, if any.

Why don’t we use heat?

You might think that using heat makes more sense. After all, this is a barbecue probe, so high temperature is more important, right? Unfortunately, heat depends on many factors, such as altitude and pressure, which we cannot always control. However, the freezing point of water is always the same no matter where you are, so we can ensure accuracy regardless of location.