After many years of faithful service, our cracked and stained oven thermometer is headed for retirement and we're searching for a good replacement. Do you have an oven thermometer you love? Share it with us in the comments. And if you don't yet own this inexpensive yet essential kitchen tool, keep reading to learn why you should!
According to tests conducted by Cook's Illustrated, two ovens set to the same temperature can actually differ by as much as 90 degrees. To prevent hot spots, temperature cycles, and poor calibration from affecting your recipes, it's essential to gauge your oven's temperature with a thermometer. You can also use a thermometer to check whether an oven is sufficiently preheated. (We're talking about thermometers for the oven itself here, rather than instant-read thermometers that check the temperature of the food.)
There are two types of oven thermometers: one with a dial face and the other with a glass bulb (for safety reasons, the bulb is filled with colored alcohol rather than mercury). We prefer the readability of dial-face thermometers; Cook's Illustrated also "found that the tinted alcohol used in bulb thermometers can get stuck, compromising accuracy." In either case, when choosing a thermometer, look for one that's sturdy and easy to read.
Different models can stand, clip, or hang on oven racks. In considering our next thermometer purchase, we're looking for one that would be easy to move and read as we use different rack configurations and baking pans. We also want a thermometer with both Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales; however, unless you frequently use non-US recipes, it's best to forgo this feature as the less cluttered the face, the easier it is to read.
We're currently leaning towards the Cooper-Atkins Oven Thermometer (about $7), which Cook's Illustrated recently recommended, but would love to hear our readers' suggestions, too!
• See the Cook's Illustrated reviews: Oven Thermometers
Related: Best Product: Sunbeam Oven Thermometer
(Images: Flickr member PetroleumJelliffe licensed under Creative Commons; Flickr member Veganbaking.net licensed under Creative Commons)
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On a semi-related note, do you have any tips for cleaning an oven thermometer? I've had mine for a while and it's very grimy and dirty, so much so that it's hard for me to read the dial anymore!
Yes, here's your tip for oven cleaning. Smear some oven cleaner on it, avoiding the seams so the liquid doesn't get into the inside.
I meant on oven thermometer cleaning!
Shortly after buying my house, I almost burnt an entire batch of my Italian bread in an oven that heats up to 100 degrees hotter than the dial. I rescued it just in time, and got an oven thermometer right after that. I use a less expensive one (about $7.00), and I like the dial kind that hang from the rack.
Now, whenever I read a response on a blog that a recipe turned out dry or took a lot longer to bake I always wonder if the oven temp is off.
Good article; it's the first thing to check if a recipe doesn't work out!
I used to have the Taylor (see photo, right) and it conked out on me after a few months. disappointing. I'm looking for another too since my oven is old!
I use one because we have an ancient range that doesn't tell us when things are heated up and can be anywhere from 25 to 50 degrees off. It's just a little one that hangs from Wal-Mart. It was absolutely worth the $6.
I use a Polder sensor thermometer. Only the probe goes in the oven, you can use it for meat or breadbaking too, and the stainless steel probe is easy to scour clean. No more spotty glass to peer through! And it has a timer and temp alert.
Wow! I was just yesterday thinking of buying one. My oven doesn't like my cakes!!
My Taylor looks just like the one in the middle of the picture. I love it, but I hate how easily it gets knocked over to the bottom of the oven. Anyone have recommendations on one that's a little more stable? The CI recommended one doesn't look like it would be any better.
I consider an oven thermometer an essential cooking item. And an instant read stab-it-in-your-meat thermometer is too. Great advice.