A meat thermometer is a very useful tool for checking that your meat is cooked through. Raw meat can carry pathogens, which are only killed when the meat is cooked to the right temperature.
A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out and gives you peace of mind. The recommended internal temperature for cooked meat varies depending on the meat.
According to the USDA, beef should be cooked to at least 63 °C (145 °F), while chicken needs to be cooked to a higher temperature of 74 °C (165 °F) or above.
Some meat thermometers have handy annotations to show you if the temperature is cooked to the minimum temperature.
As well as improving food safety, thermometers can also be used to get the right temperature when you want to serve a steak well done, medium or rare, or used to check that a loaf of bread has finished baking.
Meat thermometers consist of a metal probe that is pushed into the thickest part of the meat, and a digital display or dial that shows the temperature.
If choosing a thermometer seems confusing, don’t worry! Here’s a roundup of the best meat thermometers currently available in the UK.
Best Meat Thermometers in the UK
1. ThermoPro TP17
Number of probes: 2
Batteries: 1 x AAA
This fantastic thermometer from ThermoPro offers you a lot bang for your buck. Its large LCD screen allows you to see exactly what temperature your meat is at with a quick glance.
The dual probes mean that you can take two readings at once from different parts of the meat. So, if you’re looking for precision from your meat thermometer, this is a great choice.
It can measure temperatures ranging from 10 to 300 degrees Celsius.
One of the main advantages of the ThermoPro TP17 meat thermometer is its excellent build quality. It’s also highly accurate and can be easily attached to your BBQ. Additionally, it provides quick temperature readings, making it a convenient tool for cooking.
On the downside, some users may find the on/off switch of the ThermoPro TP17 Meat Thermometer a bit fiddly to operate.
Another potential drawback is that it does not have an automatic shut-off feature, which means that you will need to manually turn it off when you are done using it.
With the ability to set temperature ranges and a great alarm, this meat thermometer really offers a lot of control. Plus, it is built very well and is nice and simple to use.
The presets for different meats also provide a nice and easy way of ensuring that your steaks, chicken, pork and even BBQed meats are cooked to perfection.
2. Meater Wireless Meat Thermometer
Number of probes: 1
Batteries: 1 x AAA
The Meater meat thermometer is a fantastic kitchen gadget that makes testing the temperature of meat easy, wireless and fuss-free.
You can monitor your meat from the free app, so you don’t even need to leave your sofa to check how your meat is cooking. But there is way more to this thermometer that gets us kitchen nerds very excited!
The Meater Wireless Meat Thermometer comes equipped with a guided cooking system, which ensures that your meat is cooked perfectly every time.
Additionally, its advanced estimator algorithm is capable of predicting the ideal cooking time for your meat.
The thermometer can be conveniently controlled from your phone, tablet, computer, Alexa, and other compatible devices, making it incredibly versatile.
Featuring two sensors and one probe, this thermometer is completely wireless. The device runs on a single AAA battery, which is included in the package.
The Meater Wireless Meat Thermometer boasts a user-friendly app and interface, with simple controls that deliver repeatable results. You can connect multiple devices to the thermometer for added convenience.
However, it is worth noting that this thermometer is slightly more expensive than most meat thermometers, and its range is not particularly extensive.
The Meater is a slim, compact but powerful meat thermometer. It can help you guarantee that meat is cooked perfectly and even helps you if you’ve never cooked that meat or fish.
This is way more than just a meat thermometer. It is designed to make cooking meat easy, simple and enjoyable.
3. Uzone Meat Thermometer
Number of probes: 4
Batteries: 2 x AA
The Uzone wireless meat thermometer comes with four probes for monitoring different meats at the same time. You can use this wireless meat thermometer with your smartphone, but it comes with a handy LCD display for real-time monitoring too.
The Uzone Meat Thermometer is a feature-packed device that offers 11 presets and five taste choices to cater to your cooking needs. It also features a built-in alarm that can be preset to alert you when your food is ready.
With a range of 197 ft outdoors and 100 ft indoors, the thermometer provides flexibility while cooking. It also comes with an auto shut off feature to conserve battery life. The Uzone Meat Thermometer can be easily controlled via its user-friendly app.
One of the main advantages of the Uzone Meat Thermometer is its simplicity. All you need to do is insert the probe and check the app for your temperature readings.
It is also highly accurate, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection. The LCD screen of the thermometer is bright and easy to read.
However, it is worth noting that the Uzone Meat Thermometer is not truly wireless as the probes plug into the device itself. Some users have been disappointed as they expected the probes themselves to be wireless.
We love this meat thermometer. It has all the kitchen gadget vibes about it that the Meater thermometer above has, but a far better range. Plus, it has an auto shut-off feature, unlike the ThermoPro thermometer.
This meat thermometer also has very easy to set presets and loads of other awesome features to make cooking meat fun and simple.
4. Criacr Food Thermometer
Number of probes: 1
Batteries: 1 x AAA
The Criacr Food Thermometer is one of the most popular meat thermometers in the UK. It has a bright red design and uses a digital display to show the temperature reading.
This thermometer is a reliable device that can display temperature readings within 4-7 seconds on its digital LCD display.
Equipped with a collapsible tapered probe, it can display temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, with a range of -50 °C to 300 °C.
The thermometer is highly accurate, with a margin of error of less than 1°C. It also has an auto shut-off feature that activates when it is not in use for 10 minutes.
Its straightforward design makes it an easy-to-use, no-frills product that gets the job done. The automatic shut-off feature is also a convenient addition.
On the downside, the Criacr Food Thermometer does not come with a battery included, which may be an inconvenience for some users. Additionally, its relatively large size may be a drawback for those looking for a more compact device.
Overall, if you’re looking for a cheap and straightforward meat thermometer, you can’t go wrong with the Criacr Food Thermometer.
5. MasterClass Wireless Stainless Steel Meat Thermometer
The MasterClass Wireless Stainless Steel Meat Thermometer has an analogue dial that displays a rough temperature alongside the recommended temperature for different meats.
It’s not as accurate as the digital thermometers reviewed here and doesn’t measure the same range of temperatures, but it should be enough for doing a Sunday roast.
The MasterClass Wireless Stainless Steel Meat Thermometer is a simple device that features a 7.5-cm dial with a needle pointing to the temperature.
It has a strong stainless steel probe and is designed to display temperatures between 54 and 88 degrees Celsius.
One of the main advantages of the MasterClass Wireless Stainless Steel Meat Thermometer is its simplicity, making it easy to use for most people to use. The analogue dial makes it especially easy to read.
However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Firstly, the thermometer cannot be put in the oven, even though it may resemble an oven thermometer, which can be confusing for some users.
Additionally, the thermometer only provides a rough reading and may not be as accurate as other devices on the market. Lastly, the temperature markings do not include chicken, which may be inconvenient for those who frequently cook poultry.
We don’t recommend this thermometer to professional chefs, but it makes a good stocking filler for cooking lovers.
Things to Look For in a Meat Thermometer
Good temperature range
Depending on what you’re planning to use the thermometer for, you might not need a very big temperature range. Some thermometers have a huge range, meaning they can be used to check the temperature of anything from frozen food to oven-baked bread.
Preset meat settings
Many meat thermometers have preset meat settings so you don’t need to remember or look up the recommended temperatures for different meats.
Oven safe
Some meat thermometers can be kept in the oven or placed on the barbeque grill so you can monitor the temperature of your meat without having to remove it. You can also use them to check that the temperature in your oven is accurate.
Conclusion
You can’t be careful enough when it comes to cooking meat. Whether you’re cooking in your home kitchen, on the barbecue or in a restaurant, a meat thermometer is a great tool to have.
The thermometers reviewed here are all very affordable and easy to use, so there’s no excuse for not having one.
If we had to choose just one to recommend, it would be the ThermoPro TP17 thanks to its excellent build quality, dual probes for precision readings, and the ability to measure temperatures ranging from 10 to 300 degrees Celsius.
It also offers lots of control with the ability to set temperature ranges and presets for different meats, making it easy to cook your meals to perfection.
Scott is a writer and a passionate home chef. His passion for cooking began when he was 10 years old. Scott has been writing professionally for over five years now and loves to combine his passion for cooking with his day job.