Whether you’re a professional chef or a grill master, the benefits of grill timers and thermometers can be enjoyed by everyone. Thankfully, there are a lot of options around to indulge people, but that can also create confusion among the masses. With so many options on offer, how does one pick one? That’s where we come into the picture, as we are going to highlight why you need a grill timer and thermometer in the first place. That’s not all; we’ll be covering in this article since we are going to talk about the top 5 grill timers and thermometers that you can buy in 2019.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
We have been reviewing different grill timers and thermometers for several years now and have spent a lot of hours researching the internet for the best options so you don’t have to. We have developed a testing methodology that has allowed us to put these grill timers and thermometers through the paces and uncover the best performers.
We paid great attention-to-detail in all our reviews of the products since we wanted to provide the best recommendations to people who have been searching for the best grill timers and thermometers in the market today.
Criteria for Reviewing Grill Timers
We performed several tests on the products before coming up with the list of best grill timers and thermometers in 2019. We grilled steaks on gas grills and used stopwatches to measure the length of time it took for each thermometer to register changes in temperatures. Each second counts when you’re grilling a steak since leaving meat on the grill for a second longer can be the difference between a well-done steak and a medium-rare steak.
Most digital grill timers and thermometers come with in-built temperature doneness and presets for various kinds of meat. The functionality of all the presets was tested by grilling steaks into 4 types of doneness that included medium-well, medium, medium-rare, and rare. Even though instant-read timers and thermometers are fast and accurate at reading temperatures, many of them didn’t meet the ranking criteria we had set. That’s why we focused on wireless probe timers and thermometers that allowed you to step away from the grill when the meat is being cooked.
Almost every manufacturer of grill timers and thermometers has its own data and specifications regarding accuracy, response time, and battery accuracy. The measurement of the response time is done after 62.3% of the temperature is calculated by the thermometer. We found that it will take longer to get accurate readings and, therefore, the response time mentioned by the manufacturer shouldn’t be trusted when you’re deciding.
How Much Do They Cost?
The standard price of a digital timer and thermometer that is made of premium materials ranges from between $20 to around $70. However, you can find some quality grill timers and thermometers that cost less than that amount.
Other Important Information
The president of the National BBQ and Grillers Association has claimed that it’s important to use digital grill timers and thermometers to ensure the safety of the food you’re cooking. The main reason people love digital grill timers and thermometers is that they add convenience to their lives. A lot of people love barbecuing with their family and friends but most of them don’t have the luxury to stand around at the grill for hours on end and check up on the meat that is cooking.
That’s where a digital timer and thermometer makes life easier for them since they don’t need to hover around the grill. They can simply set the time and keep an eye on the thermometer to ensure that their meat is well cooked, just the way they want. It also provides them with confidence in their grilling since they know that there is less of a chance of them overcooking or undercooking the meat.
When cooking meat, it’s important that you cook it well so that people don’t end up getting sick when they eat it. That’s the reason why it’s imperative that you invest in a top-quality digital timer and thermometer, especially if you love grilling and barbecuing for your family and friends.
Caution: Undercooked Meat Can Cause Sickness
Eating rare and medium-rare steaks are considered safe under certain conditions, according to health experts. However, it’s best if you have a digital timer and thermometer with you for testing the meat. Not cooking meat can result in a myriad of foodborne illnesses, which range from minor digestive upset to even death. That’s why you should always cook chops, steaks, and roasts from pork, beef, and lamb at around 145-degrees Fahrenheit. That decreases the risk of contracting illnesses since eating undercooked meat leaves you at risk of the following conditions:
Listeria
Although many people associate Listeria with prepackaged foods, such as lunch meat, you can also contract it from undercooked meat, seafood, and poultry. Listeria is known to cause nausea, diarrhea, muscle aches, and fever. It’s extremely hazardous for pregnant women as it is known to cause health problems and even miscarriages. Pregnant women are also 20% more likely to contract Listeria.
Salmonella
You must know about Salmonella poisoning, which can be caused by consuming raw or undercooked poultry or red meat. The symptoms of Salmonella include fever, diarrhea, and cramps which can develop about 12 to 72 hours after consuming the food contaminated. You can suffer from Salmonella poisoning for more than a week. Some people may even die from it if they have comprised immune systems.
E. Coli
E. coli is a bacterium that is found in undercooked ground beef and its symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. You may start noticing the effects 2 to 8 days after consuming the food that is contaminated and its effects can last for a week. You can kill off the E. coli bacteria by searing the meat at high temperatures since it lies on the surface of the meat. However, in ground beef, the bacteria may be mixed with the meat and, therefore, it’s best to cook the meat completely.
The 5 Best Grill Timers
1. Weber iGrill 2
If there’s one digital grill timer and thermometer that truly deserves the crown of best-in-class, then it must be the Weber iGrill2. It offers a wide temperature range along with a 3-second response time which is very impressive. It was extremely fast and accurate when reading the temperature of the meat being cooked in our tests. You don’t even need to pair it to your smartphone to view the temperature.
However, the app runs on both iOS and Android devices and is simple to use. All you need to do is select the meat you’re cooking along with the preferred doneness level, then insert the probe and push the start button. It has a wireless range of about 150 feet, so you can easily go about other tasks while your meat is cooking.
Pros
- Accurate readings that are within 1-degree Fahrenheit
- Supports 4 probes, allowing you to monitor different meat cuts at the same time
- A 3-second response time, which is very impressive
Cons
- Comes with a wireless thermometer range of 150 feet only
- Is more expensive than other digital timers and thermometers
- Can support 4 probes but only comes with 2 probes
2. Polder Classic
The Polder Classic digital grill timer and thermometer offers accurate temperature readings and is easy to use. The best part is that it is affordably priced and very effective in tracking the length of time your food has been cooking on the grill. It also has an accuracy range of 2-degree Fahrenheit, which isn’t too bad when compared with other options. It’s easy to use and you can set the maximum temperatures and timer of the thermometer without any fuss.
The display on this timer and thermometer is more like a smartwatch and has big numbers that can be viewed from a fair distance. You can also bend the Polder Classic to around 180 degrees due to its flexible display, and it can be attached to the grill with 2 magnets that are found on the back. It also has a 43-inch cord that makes it easier to view it from a long way away.
There are a couple of drawbacks that we found using this digital grill timer and thermometer, which were that it doesn’t turn off automatically, meaning you’ll need to keep some spare batteries around. The display doesn’t light up, so it can be hard to read when it is dark, and you have no other light source nearby. It’s not water-resistant as well, so be careful using it around liquids.
Pros
- Accuracy of nearly 2-degree Fahrenheit
- Comes with a 43-inch cord
- Is inexpensive compared to other options
Cons
- The display doesn’t illuminate
- There is no water-resistance
- Doesn’t have an automatic feature to turn-off
3. Weber iGrill Mini
If you’ve been searching for a powerful but small digital grill timer and thermometer that has loud alarms and accurate temperature readings, then Weber iGrill Mini is just what you need. This is a great BBQ grill timer and thermometer and offers an extensive temperature range, which can read temperatures as high as 572 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit.
The readings of the grill timer and thermometer are displayed on your smartphone, as there is no digital display, but there is an LED indicator on top of it. This light will flash different colors when it reaches the target temperature, and the colors range from green to yellow, to orange, and then to red. Your phone and the device will beep when the meat has been cooked. It only has a range of 150 feet but is extremely simple to use, and the Weber app always helps.
The probe is very accurate, and you will be alerted by the app when your meat is cooked according to the temperature range that you set it to.
Pros
- A wide range of temperature readings
- Basic and simple design
- Comes with a smartphone app that allows you to monitor its performance
Cons
- Is small and can be easily misplaced
- Can only support one probe
- Doesn’t come with a display
4. Maverick ET-735
If you’ve been searching for a multifaceted BBQ grill timer and thermometer, then the Maverick ET-735 is the perfect choice for you. It allows you to easily cook wild game meat with preset temperatures for cooking meats such as moose, buffalo, deer, and elk. It also preset temperatures for cooking veal, lamb, fish, turkey, chicken, and pork.
This digital grill timer and thermometer requires Bluetooth connectivity to be paired with your iOS or Android smartphone. It comes with a free mobile app that lets you monitor the temperature of your food, set timers and get notifications about how the meat is being cooked on the grill. It comes with 2 waterproof probes that are 7-inches in size, which allow you to monitor the temperature of two different meat cooking on the grill.
Pros
- Comes with two probes but can be expanded to four
Cons
- Only has a 90-day warranty
5. Oregon Scientific AW129 Grill-Right Talking Thermometer
This is one of the most affordable digital grill timer and thermometer out in the market right now and the best thing about is that it can speak! Yes, it will tell you when your food is overcooked, when it’s nearly ready, and when it’s done. It can also speak in five different languages including Danish, French, Spanish, German, and English.
The wireless transmitter allows it to communicate, and it has a range of 330 feet from your grill, ensuring that you can stay up to date with the temperature of your grill when you’re moving about. It also features a backlit display, which allows you to view the temperature even in the dark and it can read temperatures between 572-degrees Fahrenheit and 32-degrees Fahrenheit. It only comes with one probe, which is about 5.75-inches in size.
Pros
- Comes with a wireless transmitter
- Speaks to alert you about your food
- Backlit display for easy nighttime visibility
Cons
- Only has one probe
Our Final Thoughts on the Best Grill Timers
So, there you have it, our list of the 5 best grill timers and thermometers that are available right now on the market. Make sure that you pick the right choice for you depending on your cooking requirements and your preferences.
