Cooking meat on the grill can feel like guesswork. How do you know when a steak is medium rare, or chicken is safely cooked through? Take the uncertainty out of cooking with a digital meat thermometer from Ace Hardware. With options from basic probe thermometers to Bluetooth grill thermometers, find the tools to cook meat and poultry to your preference every time.
Why Invest in a Grill Meat Thermometer?
Achieving the perfect level of doneness when grilling meats can be difficult without the right tool. Meat thermometers take the guesswork out of grilling by allowing you to accurately monitor internal food temperatures. Look for whole grill, instant read and leave-in thermometers for greater cooking control.
Digital or Analog Meat Thermometer?
While both analog and wireless grill thermometers have their advantages, you may decide one suits your needs better. Some people prefer the classic, old-school utility of a dial thermometer, but a digital Wi-Fi or Bluetooth thermometer may give quicker and more accurate results more conveniently. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.
What Kind of Meat Thermometer Does Your BBQ Need?
Choosing the right thermometer comes down to your grilling style and preferences. Consider these popular options from brands like Weber, Maverick and Big Green Egg.
Grill Temperature Gauge
Also known as a classic analog thermometer, it is usually attached to the grill and is good for checking the overall temperature of your grill overall. This helps you keep the heat consistent over a full cooking session. It can double up as a temperature gauge for a smoker, too.
Probe Dial Thermometer
A dial thermometer inserts directly into the meat to measure internal temperature, showing the reading on a watch-face like meter. A classic design, these analog meat thermometers give readings soon after being probed.
Infrared Meat Thermometer
Infrared meat thermometers provide instant temperature readings by measuring surface heat. They do not measure internal temperatures. Infrared thermometers are especially useful for measuring the surface temperature of pizza stones, letting you know if the surface temperature is hot enough before cooking.
Wireless Meat Thermometers
Smart meat thermometers use technology like Bluetooth to provide wireless convenience. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi meat thermometers monitor food remotely via a smartphone app. Look for digital thermometers with features like preset doneness levels, timers, and alarms to notify you when food reaches your desired internal temperature. Perfect for slow cooking, wireless meat thermometers are available in both probe and grill gauge versions.
The Importance of Accurate Food Temperature
A thermometer helps eliminate uncertainty about whether your food is cooked properly. For food safety and the best results, temperature matters, ensuring:
- Chicken, pork and ground meat are cooked to safe internal temperatures. Undercooked meat can harbor dangerous bacteria.
- Steaks, roasts and chops are seared to your desired doneness. Use a thermometer to nail medium rare every time!
- Fish doesn't overcook and dry out. Delicate seafood is best removed from heat right when it reaches optimum internal temperature.
Shop Grilling Meat Thermometers at Ace Hardware
Take the guesswork out of grilling and smoking meat, poultry, and fish perfectly every time with digital analog and digital meat thermometers at Ace. Get advice on finding the right thermometer from our helpful employees, as well as other BBQ essentials. From grill covers to grill grates to smoking pellets, find what you need for successful barbecues all year.
