How, When, and Why Use Smart Meat Thermometers for Cooking
Smart meat thermometers are becoming more popular these days. These smart devices can help you cook the perfect steak, chicken, pork roast, or fish, like salmon or tuna, every time. At GearBrain, we have been testing a bunch of these smart meat thermometers and see why people are starting to use them. They are easy to use and allow you to do other things without worrying about overcooking your meat, especially when on the grill outside. This article will explain how these devices work and why you should use them when BBQing or cooking for many people during the holidays.
How do smart meat thermometers work?
A smart meat thermometer is a digital thermometer that uses Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to your smartphone or tablet. The thermometer has a probe that is inserted into the meat, and the probe sends the temperature readings to your device. You can then use your device to monitor the temperature of the meat and receive alerts when it reaches the desired doneness.
How do you use this smart cooking device? Many new smart meat thermometers are easy to use. Friends always ask, "How hard are these thermometers to set up and use?" I can tell you from experience they are straightforward to set up and use. For first-time users, here is how a smart meat thermometer works. The probe is inserted into the meat. The probe is usually made of stainless steel or another heat-resistant metal. It has a sensor at the tip that measures the temperature of the meat. The probe sends the real-time temperature readings to your device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection so you can monitor the temperature of the meat on your device. This allows you to use your device to see the meat's current temperature and set alerts to notify you when the meat reaches the desired doneness.
After testing a bunch of these smart meat thermometers, here are six easy steps to follow when using a smart meat thermometer for the first time:
- Charge the thermometer. Most smart meat thermometers come with a charging dock. Simply plug the dock into an outlet and place the thermometer on it to charge.
- Download the app. Most smart meat thermometers have a corresponding app to download to your smartphone or tablet. The app will allow you to control the thermometer, set cooking temperatures, and receive alerts.
- Insert the probe. The probe is the thermometer part that will go into the meat. Most probes are long and thin, so they can be inserted into even significant cuts of meat.
- Set the cooking temperature. In the app, select the type of meat you are cooking and the desired doneness. The app will then calculate the ideal cooking temperature.
- Start cooking. Place the meat in the oven or on the grill and start cooking. The app will track the temperature of the meat and send you alerts when it reaches the desired doneness.
- Enjoy your meal! Once the meat has reached the desired doneness, please remove it from the oven or grill and enjoy your meal.
As you can see, using these smart meat thermometers is relatively easy. However, for some, it still might be a little challenging. Therefore, here are a few additional tips I would like to give you before you start using a smart meat thermometer. One suggestion is to ensure the probe is inserted into the thickest part of the meat. If not, you will not get a good reading, and your meat might not come out how you want it to. Also, if you are cooking multiple pieces of meat, use a different probe for each piece. Taking the probe out of one piece of meat and using it on another is not how these devices are meant to work. Also, you want to prevent cross-contamination. If you need multiple smart meat thermometers, consider getting a device like MEATER Block. It comes with various probes to help you cook a lot of meat simultaneously.
Another critical tip when using a smart meat thermometer is keeping the probe clean. After using your smart meat thermometer, wipe it clean with a damp cloth. This will help prevent the spread of bacteria. Also, it would be best if you stored the smart meat thermometer in a safe place when not in use. This helps ensure your smart cooking device will not get damaged.
When should you use a smart meat thermometer?
I use a smart meat thermometer whenever I use my gas or charcoal grills. I also use it around the holidays when cooking for the entire family. But it will vary for everyone. So, to help you determine how often you would use a smart meat thermometer, here are a few situations where you might want to pull out your smart meat thermometer:
- When you are cooking meat, that is difficult to judge doneness by sight or touch; this includes meats such as poultry, pork, and ground beef, a smart meat thermometer will take the guesswork out of the cooking process and notify you when your meat is ready to come off the grill or heat source.
- When cooking meat for a large group of people, a smart meat thermometer can help you monitor the temperature of the meat without having to keep going back to the oven or grill.
- When you are cooking meat in a slow cooker or smoker, smart meat thermometers can help you monitor the temperature of the meat without having to open the lid, which can release heat and slow down the cooking process.
- When you are cooking meat for someone pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, these people are more susceptible to foodborne illness, so it is essential to make sure that their meat is cooked to the correct temperature.
Why Use a Smart Meat Thermometer?
There are many reasons to use a smart meat thermometer. Based on our testing of these smart cooking devices, here are some of the most important reasons for using a smart meat thermometer:
- Cook meat to the perfect doneness every time. Smart meat thermometers allow you to set the desired doneness for your meat, and the thermometer will alert you when it reaches that temperature. This means you can be sure your meat will be cooked perfectly every time.
- Multitask while cooking. With a smart meat thermometer, you can leave the meat cooking in the oven or grill and do your other tasks. The thermometer will alert you when the meat is done, so you don't have to keep checking on it.
- Avoid overcooking or undercooking meat. Overcooking or undercooking meat can lead to foodborne illness. Smart meat thermometers can help you avoid this by ensuring your meat is cooked to the correct temperature.
- Monitor the temperature of the oven or grill. Some smart meat thermometers can also monitor the temperature of the oven or grill. This can help ensure your oven or grill is at the correct temperature before cooking.
- Get notifications on your smartphone or tablet. Most smart meat thermometers have a corresponding app you can download to your smartphone or tablet. The app will notify you when the meat is done or when the oven or grill reaches the desired temperature.
In addition, here are a few benefits users get from cooking with a smart meat thermometer:
- Improved accuracy. Smart meat thermometers are often more accurate than traditional meat thermometers. This is because they use digital sensors to measure temperature, which is more precise than the analog gauges used in conventional thermometers.
- Increased convenience. Smart meat thermometers allow you to monitor the temperature of your meat from your smartphone or tablet. This means you can stay in the living room or on the patio while your meat is cooking without constantly checking on it in the oven or on the grill.
- Enhanced safety. Smart meat thermometers can help you avoid foodborne illness by ensuring your meat is cooked to the correct temperature. This is especially important for meats that are more susceptible to foodborne illness, such as poultry and pork.
How much do smart meat thermometers cost? And who makes a good smart meat thermometer?
The cost of an excellent smart meat thermometer ranges from a low of $30 to a high of $350 for a set of 4 (MEATER Block). Companies that make reliable smart meat thermometers include Yummly, MEATER,The MeatStick, Inkbird, Govee, and ThermoPro. All are available on Amazon.
Buy on Amazon
The lower cost devices are smart meat thermometers that have a wired attached. It connects to a small thermometer which provides readings and works on a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection to send temperature readings to your smartphone or tablet. We recently tested one of these devices, Inkbird, which came with multiple probes, making cooking easier for many people. It worked on both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz connections with long-range connectivity. (See our review here.).
The true wireless types of smart meat thermometers start around $80 and are very easy to use. You can check out our Best Smart Meat Thermometer article for the list of devices we would recommend.
Overall, smart meat thermometers are a great way to cook meat to the perfect doneness every time. They can also help you avoid overcooking or undercooking meat, which can lead to foodborne illness. If you are serious about cooking and can spend $80, a smart meat thermometer is a worthwhile investment that will make sure all your meals come out perfectly no matter who is cooking.
If you need help in finding a good smart meat thermometer, remember to use our product find engine, The GearBrain. It will help you find, buy and connect any smart device, including smart meat thermometers. You can also store your product information for free in your own MyGear section of the platform.
