Picture this: it’s Thanksgiving Day, and you’ve spent hours cooking your beloved turkey. You open up the oven, extract the turkey, open the lid of the roaster and…
It turns out your turkey is still raw, despite hours of cooking at what was supposed to be the ideal temperature.
So what gives? It could be that you forgot to turn the oven on. That happens to the best of us. But what’s more likely is that your oven wasn’t at the proper temperature and you didn’t have the tools necessary to track it. You didn’t have one of the best oven thermometers.
A standalone thermometer for your oven often can’t handle the pressures of high-intensity cooking. It is often not as accurate and reliable as a separate oven thermometer. When you purchase the best oven thermometer, you’ll be able to skip all that guesswork for a stress-free cooking experience and meal.
Table of Contents
Best Oven Thermometers – Comparison
| Picture | Product Name | Temperature Range | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rubbermaid Instant Read | 20 to 300 Degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless Steel | Check Latest Price |
 | CDN DOT2 09502000954 | 65 to 290 Degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless Steel | Check Latest Price |
 | Winco TMT-OV3 B001B4KUPY | 50 to 500 Degree Fahrenheit | Steel | Check Latest Price |
 | Farberware Protek Oven | Above 600 Degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless Steel | Check Latest Price |
 | Cooper-Atkins | 100 to 600 Degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless Steel | Check Latest Price |
 | AcuRite Oven | 150 to 600 Degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless Steel | Check Latest Price |
 | Taylor Classic Series | 100 to 600 Degrees Fahrenheit | Glass lens and Stainless steel | Check Latest Price |
 | Admetior Kitchen Oven | 50 to 500 Degree Fahrenheit | 18/0 Stainless steel housing | Check Latest Price |
 | SMARTRO ST59 | 58 to 482 Degree Fahrenheit | – | Check Latest Price |
 | ThermoPro TP-16 Digital | 32 to 572 Degree Fahrenheit | Stainless Steel Probe | Check Latest Price |
Why You Need an Oven Thermometer
Easy Installation
Oven thermometers are typically inexpensive and easy to install. You don’t have to engage in any complicated electrical work in order to put in a new oven thermometer. All you need to do is hang the unit or place it on a shelf. That’s all there is to it!
Efficiency
Oven thermometers are also efficient.t hose can withstand super high temperatures while also monitoring the temperature inside the oven. You won’t have to rely on just your built-in oven thermometer any longer!Plus, there are no extra skills required to operate one of these units. Most come with references to give you more information about how to set temperatures that will meet your cooking needs.
Accurate Temperature Monitoring
If you are roasting or baking dish, you need to have an oven that has certain temperature settings. Unfortunately, most built-in oven thermometers do a terrible job at accurately monitoring temperature – there’s a good chance you are going to walk away disappointed. A separate oven thermometer will allow you to monitor your cooking temperatures with ease.
In fact, this is why most cooking professionals use a separate oven thermometer. They know they can rely on the efficiency and accuracy of separate units to get the job done for them.
What to Look for in an Oven Thermometer
Quality
The most important characteristic that an oven thermometer should have is that it needs to be high-quality. Ovens can reach extremely high temperatures, and if your thermometer isn’t good enough, it might crack under these extremes. Before you invest in an oven thermometer, make sure it’s highly rated and can withstand the temperatures you intend to subject it to.
Temperature Units
Also pay attention to the temperature units that the oven thermometer operates in. Most indicate the temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. Some displays feature both, but it’s important to find one that works with your background and understanding so that you don’t need to spend unnecessary time converting units when you could be cooking.
Performance and Limitations
Each thermometer will be specifically designed to track a range of cooking temperatures. The best will offer superior performance and tell you accurate information. Look for an oven thermometer that has all the features you desire, such as energy efficiency and accuracy to a certain measurement.At the same time, you need to keep the limitations of a device in mind. Obviously, different types of foods need to be cooked at various temperatures. Consider investing in a thermometer that can withstand cooking temperatures that are higher than what you think you might ever need – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Material
Most oven thermometers, obviously, are designed to be used in the interior of the oven when cooking. Because the unit will be coming into close proximity with your food, you should use a food-safe material. Stainless steel 304 grade is one of the best materials. However, you can also check to see whether the thermometer is approved by the National Sanitation Foundation.
Ease of Use
Make sure the oven thermometer you select is easy to use. While oven thermometers are not complicated, they can be a bit tricky if you have never had any experience with them. Some devices come with a reference dial that is HACCP-referenced so you can figure out which cooking times are recommended for the food you are preparing. This can help prevent foodborne illnesses.
Maintenance
Finally, your oven thermometer will need to be cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure it is working and in tiptop shape. The best oven thermometer will be one that doesn’t require consistent care and can instead operate well between cleanings or servicings.
The 10 Best Oven Thermometers of 2020
1. Rubbermaid Instant Read Monitoring Thermometer
Rubbermaid is the name to know when it comes to superior household brands. This company makes a superb oven thermometer that will be a hero at your next Thanksgiving dinner.
Made out of resilient stainless steel, this oven thermometer has temperature units that are easy to decode. Just two inches long by roughly four and a half inches wide, it fits perfectly into most ovens. It’s compact but not so small that it’s difficult to read the display.
Rubbermaid makes oven thermometers that are highly precise. This unit is versatile and can be placed on either a shelf or hung from a rack for maximum convenience. It has a high-quality, unbreakable lens and display that lets you monitor your food in both Fahrenheit as well as Celsius. The lenses are shatterproof and with a battery-free design, you won’t need to worry about loading the unit with batteries in order to read temperatures.
Registered and approved with the NSF, this oven thermometer is of the utmost quality. With the ability to read temperatures up to 580 degrees Fahrenheit and down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it is great for traditional ovens, smokers, grills, toaster ovens, or any other heated appliances for cooking food.
It’s the perfect choice for professional chefs and home cooks alike.
What We Liked:
- Can be hung on a rack or placed on a shelf
- Shows temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Only weighs one pound and takes up minimal space
What We Didn’t Like:
- Takes a while to reach a full temperature reading
2. CDN DOT2 09502000954 Oven Thermometer
The CDN DOT2 is made out of super resilient stainless steel. With a durable glass lens, this oven thermometer is shatterproof – and it will also shatter your expectations! This thermometer comes with a five-year limited warranty and target range indication.
It comes with a red temperature indication needle along with a two-inch dial that lets you monitor your cooking temperatures. You’ll be able to deliver that scrumptious meal each and every time. The CDN thermometer can be hung from a rack or positioned upright. This kind of versatility makes it a smart selection for any oven. It can read up to 550 degrees.
Plus, since this thermometer has a wide base, it will have added stability. This is a nice feature, especially if you have to position it on an already-wobbly rack. While the thermometer isn’t likely to break if it falls, it’s a huge inconvenience to have to keep repositioning it. The oven thermometer is energy efficient, too, making it one of the best oven thermometers on the market.
CDN is one of the top brands when it comes to superior kitchen supplies – this thermometer is no exception. You do need to place the thermometer inside the oven throughout the entire preheating process to give it time to heat up and contrast together. This will allow for more precise monitoring.
What We Liked:
- Has a huge dial for temperature readings
- Approved by the NSF
- Has a high-quality, difficult-to-break glass lens
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can’t read lower temperatures
3. Winco TMT-OV3 B001B4KUPY Oven Thermometer
The Winco Oven Thermometer is one of the best if you like to be able to set your own cooking temperatures based on your preferences and recommendations. This oven thermometer features a HACCP reference to help you monitor things.
With temperatures ranging from 50 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, this oven thermometer lets you cook just about any kind of food with ease. It has a two-way mounting system that makes it possible for you to position your thermometer any way you’d like. It is an affordable yet effective unit, backed by the NSF. It’s great for experienced and novice home cooks alike.
With a built-in hook and standing panel, this versatile oven thermometer is a great choice for people who need to use it in tight spaces. It can be left inside the oven at all times and you won’t have to worry about it becoming damaged.
What We Liked:
- Easy to use and read with a HACCP reference dial
- NSF approved
- Wide temperature range
What We Didn’t Like:
- Temperature readings are not instant
4. Farberware Protek Oven Thermometer
Farberware is the maker of one of the best oven thermometers of 2020. A durable, attractive, and easy to use thermometer, it enables you to get accurate temperature readings in numerous locations within your oven.
Farberware makes several other thermometers, too, including instant-read thermometers, meat thermometers, refrigerator thermometers, and candy thermometers. All of them are known for their easy to comprehend dial interface and well-respected accuracy.
This thermometer comes with a dial that’s quick and easy to follow and that can tell you your temperatures rapidly via a simple red needle. Weighing less than two ounces, this lightweight unit can be hung from a rack or positioned on a shelf, depending on your needs and preferences.
The Farberware Classic Oven Thermometer can monitor temperatures in both Celsius or Fahrenheit. It’s easy to keep the thermometer clean, too. Just wash it gently with lukewarm water and soap then dry with a gentle, nonabrasive towel. That’s all there is to it!
What We Liked:
- Can be hung up or positioned on a shelf
- Has accurate temperature reading in both Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Easy to keep clean
What We Didn’t Like:
- Should not be used inside a BBQ grill
5. Cooper-Atkins Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
The Cooper-Atkins Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Oven Thermometer is the perfect choice if you’re looking for one that is reliable but also attractive. It displays cooking temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, displaying both with a HACCP reference for your dial.
Easily adjust your cooking to get to the right temperatures. It is made out of high-quality stainless steel and glass, making the challenge of reading temperatures completely seamless. The oven thermometer is approved by the NSF and has two methods of installation. Leave it standing upright with the adjustable base or you can hang it if you have limited space.
At just three inches tall and two and a half inches wide, this versatile unit is one of the best. It has an accuracy of 25 degrees, plus or minus, and can read temperatures from 100 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
What We Liked:
- Extremely precise readings
- Can read in both Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Certified by NSF
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some customers report that the base is not wide enough
6. AcuRite Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
The AcuRite Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer is one of the best oven thermometers overall. It is perfect for baking, roasting, boiling, warming, and more, helping you receive accurate results with minimal effort.
Made out of durable stainless steel, this oven thermometer also has a long-lasting glass lens that will let you easily monitor the heat inside the oven. It has a temperature range indicators to show the ideal approximations for boiling, baking, roasting, and warming, too. An oven- and grill-safe thermometer, it can be left inside your oven at all times.
This oven thermometer comes with a protective, integrated hanger that makes it easy to mount the unit or to stand it upright. It is backed by a ten-year limited warranty, too, and certified by the NSF.
The oven thermometer only displays temperatures in Fahrenheit. However, it’s superior accuracy makes it the perfect choice for home chefs.
What We Liked:
- Safe for both grills and ovens
- Easy to store and even easier to read
- Can measure temperatures that are150 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
What We Didn’t Like:
- Temperature range can’t go as low as that on some other oven thermometers
7. Taylor Classic Series Oven Thermometer
The Taylor Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer is the perfect choice if you want a wireless thermometer with a large analog dial. The screen on this oven thermometer is more than three inches wide, so you’ll be able to read the temperature of your oven quickly and easily.
Designed with corrosion-resistant, highly resilient stainless steel materials, this thermometer can stand on its own (it has its own legs) or hung on a wall in your oven. It has a glass lens that makes it easy to read temperatures, with degrees marked in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.
The Taylor Classic Oven Thermometer can read temperatures from 100 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s colorful, so it will stand out even in a dirty oven. It does not need to be calibrated yet offers a highly accurate reading nonetheless
What We Liked:
- Temperature units are clearly marked
- Approved by the NSF
- Has a super large 3.25” dial
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some customers report that it errs slightly on the high side when reading temperature
8. Admetior Kitchen Oven Thermometer
The Admetior Kitchen Oven Thermometer is an excellent choice for both home and professional chefs. It has two dial size options: cooks can choose from a thermometer that has a 1.7-inch screen or one that is 2.1 inches. Either way, this oven thermometer can hold up to the challenges of everyday cooking.
It is made out of strong stainless steel and has a rigid housing. Ti comes with a hanger and a stand and is also oven safe. It has a broad temperature range with the ability to read temperatures from 50 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
A toaster oven-safe thermometer, you can leave this item in your oven at all times. It’s best used when you place it in the center and front of your oven so that it can read the most accurate temperatures. It does not yellow or become tarnished and requires no batteries in order to operate it.
What We Liked:
- Accurate and easy to read
- Can be hung up inside the oven
- Assesses a wide range of temperatures
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has a tendency to read ten to thirty degrees low across the ranges
9. SMARTRO ST59 Digital Meat Thermometer for Oven
The Smartro ST59 Oven Thermometer is a unique product. It’s designed specifically for meat, giving it unique qualities that you don’t normally find in a meat thermometer.
This thermometer has a touch screen and LCD backlight, with a sensitive touch screen design that makes it easy to operate and convenient to use, even at night. You can read quickly from any angle, even after just giving it a sideways glance.
With eight different temperature settings for different types of meat (chicken, turkey, fish, hamburger, veal, beef, pork, and lamb), you can cook anything you want to the specifications recommended by the USDA. you can also set temperatures based on your own personal tastes, lending you maximum versatility in cooking your food.
You won’t have to worry about overcooking your meat with this handy thermometer. It has a built-in timer with a unique countdown function. This enables you to set a time of up to 99 minutes for your food – you’ll know when the time is up because the alarm will beep. It can alternately be set to beep when the food has reached a certain temperature.
Use this oven thermometer wherever you’d like – it works well for barbequing, baking, frying, or grilling. It can even be used on chilled dishes! It can read temperatures from -58 degrees all the way up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a nearly seven inch-long probe that is fully collapsible – no more burning your hands while you’re trying to check the temperature of your food.
Finally, this instant-read thermometer has two strong magnets as well as a stand on the back. You can position it wherever you’d like, whenever you’d like.
What We Liked:
- The thermometer has a color display and touch screen
- Comes with a countdown timer
- Has a broad temperature range that measures cold dishes too
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can be difficult to change the target temperature
10. ThermoPro TP-16 Digital Cooking Food Thermometer
The ThermoPro TP-16 Digital Cooking Food Thermometer is one of the best for the oven. It can be used in an oven, smoker, stovetop, or for meat, and is programmable with preset temperatures for various foods. The temperatures for these foods are based on USDA guidelines.
This digital kitchen timer comes with countdown and count up abilities, able to operate up to 00 hours and 59 minutes. It has high accuracy and superior heat resistance with the ability to withstand up to 716 degrees.
This oven thermometer has a six and a half food-grade step-down tip design stainless steel probe. You will be able to read temperatures quickly and precisely. Plus, it has a stainless steel mesh cable to connect the thermometer to the base outside of the oven.
What We Liked:
- Backed by a three-year warranty
- Programmed with preset temperatures
- Can withstand up to 716 degrees
What We Didn’t Like:
- The plastic probe can melt
Why You Need to Invest in the Best Oven Thermometer of 2020
The best oven thermometer will not only be easy to use, but it will also be accurate, functioning exactly as it is described. Not only that, but an oven thermometer should be easy to care for and store for the long run.
There’s nothing worse than spending an entire day cooking only to find out that your efforts were in vain because of oven guesswork. Don’t waste time guessing. Instead, invest in one of the best oven thermometers of 2020 and you’ll be chowing down in no time.