Oven thermometers: types, characteristics, selection and operation

Modern household appliances please the majority of housewives and make it possible to prepare complex dishes without any problems. The presence of a timer in a multicooker, microwave oven, induction cooker allows you to accurately calculate the cooking time, but it is quite problematic to set the temperature mode precisely. Gas ovens do not make it possible to clearly set the oven heating level. In electric stoves, you can set only a few temperature regimes that have been set by the manufacturer.

An oven thermometer is an important detail if the hostess wants to delight her household with delicious food that bakes well and does not burn. This kitchen accessory may not be used, but its help will be very useful for a beginner. In the process of cooking, it is very important to know about the temperature inside the oven in order to understand how long a particular food will take to be ready. For meat, the temperature range will be one, for baking - another, therefore this device for measuring the temperature cannot be dispensed with, otherwise the food may be spoiled.

Despite the variety of products presented on store shelves, different appearance and cost, the device of all thermometers is the same. Inside such equipment there are two plates made of different metals. As soon as the ambient temperature rises significantly, they deform, thereby showing a certain digital value.

The oven often has certain modes that housewives most often use for cooking, these are:

• lower temperature range - from 120 to 180 degrees;
• the average value is from 180 to 220 degrees;
• high temperatures - from 230 to 280 degrees.

If, according to the recipe, you need to set a certain mode, you should not experiment and try a higher or lower temperature. In the event that the hostess did everything correctly, and the dish is not completely ready or, conversely, it is burnt, it is worth getting a thermometer and check that the oven is heating correctly in each of the modes. The presence of a thermometer does not interfere with the cooking process in any way, and if desired, it can be simply removed, but with it it is possible to track the exact temperature inside the oven and correct it in time.

When choosing an oven thermometer for yourself, it is worth considering all the advantages and disadvantages so that the purchased accessory is not only beautiful, but also functional. The pluses of thermometers include:

• the ability to set a clearly set temperature;
• control over the heating of the oven and the ability to affect the temperature inside;
• assessment of product readiness due to the presence of a temperature probe;
• the ability to monitor the heating of the oven outside of it, thanks to a remote wireless temperature probe.

There are few disadvantages of such assistants in cooking in the oven, these are:

• low-quality goods that show the temperature with an error;
• high cost of branded products, starting from $ 20 and more;
• not every thermometer is suitable for cooking a certain dish (a simple thermometer will not show the temperature inside a piece of meat, and a thermometer will not be needed if the dish is baked quickly and evenly);
• poor-quality fastening can interfere with the convenient use of the appliance and increase the risk of it falling inside the oven.

Having evaluated all the positive and negative sides, you can note for yourself the need to purchase this product, or you can completely abandon this venture. Thanks to the wide variety of thermometer options, each housewife will be able to choose the most suitable option for herself.

All thermometers for a gas stove are designed to measure the temperature of the oven and help to more rationally and correctly set the baking mode. For an electric stove, such an assistant can also come in handy, since without it it will not be possible to quickly determine problems with proper heating in one mode or another. The cost of this equipment is small, so almost everyone can afford to buy it. In order not to get confused in the proposed choice, you need to know as much as possible about the types of thermometers and their functional purpose.

All products can be divided into two main groups:

• analog;
• digital.

The first option is the most common and is found in almost every stove. This is a pointer mechanism that, when the environment is heated, shows its temperature.

The second option is an electronic device with a digital panel that displays the temperature in the oven. You can use this device only in the range from 120 to 280 degrees and not higher. This type is considered more progressive and can have a number of improvements:

• the device can be with a timer;
• a thermometer can be equipped with a sensor that signals the end of cooking;
• variability in choosing a mode suitable for different types of dishes: meat, fish, pie, etc.;
• color indicator that changes color at different stages of cooking.

Another modern product is the temperature probe, which makes it possible to measure not the temperature inside the oven, but the heating of the dish itself and determine the degree of its readiness.This device is remote, since the sensor itself cannot be heated, and the metal rod can be attached to it with a wire or be autonomous.

The second option is a wireless temperature probe, which is much more convenient to use, because there is no need to monitor the wire and adjust its length. The most progressive is the non-contact probe, which detects the temperature in the oven from a distance, but the further the distance from household appliances, the greater the error rate.

Another option that can be found on sale is mechanical thermometer, which can be suspended, built-in and placed. The dial can have two measurement scales at once, degree and Fahrenheit.

In order to buy high-quality equipment that will last as long as possible and will show the correct thermal values ​​inside the oven, you need to navigate the market for such goods and choose well-known and proven brands. The rating of the most popular models looks like this.

• Polder ТНМ 515 Is an analogue device that is best at baking confectionery. The temperature scale is graduated from 40 to 200 degrees.
• Generic - a thermometer that can be used for gas and electric ovens. The thermometer is made of stainless steel and can withstand heating up to 300 degrees. It is placed in the oven thanks to a special hook that clings to the grate.
• Weber 6492 - a thermometer with a display that can be installed in a convenient position. It is used for any dishes, the temperature is monitored promptly, you can work with food, thanks to the presence of a probe. Do not leave the thermometer inside under the lid.
• Thermo Pro TP 06 very similar to the previous version, but thanks to the outboard design, it can also be used in closed containers. Can be used with any food or meal.
• Ivation IWAVT 738 - a very modern thermometer, suitable for those who love stylish and modern gadgets. The product has two radio units. The first is equipped with two remote probes, the length of which is about a meter, the second helps to control the temperature. The second block can be taken out to another room and from a distance monitor what is happening in the oven. Due to the presence of various programs, it is possible to choose the most suitable conditions for the preparation of a particular dish.
• Cason is an infrared thermometer that makes it possible to know the temperature inside the oven from a distance. Cope with the range from -32 to +380 degrees. Powered by charging, which is enough for 16 hours of continuous use.

The simpler the product, the cheaper its cost, the more various functions in the equipment, the more expensive its price will be. The choice of a thermometer should be based on the principle of convenience and variability, so that one device allows you to cook a wide variety of dishes.

To buy a good oven thermometer, you need to properly evaluate the options available on the market and determine the most suitable one. It is worth paying attention to certain factors.

• Price. A cheap option will not last long, it is better to spend a little more money and purchase a product that will show accurate data and will not break down in the first month of use.
• Product size. It is worth buying medium or large thermometers so that the display is clearly visible and the temperature can be set as accurately as possible.
• Temperature range... The optimal indicators will be values ​​from 120 to 300 degrees, which will allow you to cook any dishes without restriction.
• Buying a well-known brand would be more preferable than a similar Chinese-made option.
• It is worth making a purchase in specialized stores of household appliances and check the goods on the spot, rather than look for an inexpensive option on the Internet and place an order there.
• An internal thermometer is more convenient to use in the kitchen, but it is important that it is removable for ease of maintenance.

In order for the thermometer to show the correct temperature in the oven, it must be installed where the cooking process will take place. You can fix the device with heat-resistant glue, screws, or hang it on a special hook that comes with almost all models. It is best to use the latter option, since the thermometer can be removed, washed, or removed as unnecessary at any time. In this case, a regular hanging thermometer will do, without any modern features.

If we are talking about a more progressive technique, then it is worth mentioning temperature probe, which, in addition to the thermometer itself with an LCD display, has a steel cord. Using this device is easy, you need to adjust the temperature to the desired values ​​and stick the probe into the food. The food with the probe is placed in the oven, while the thermometer remains on the outside, showing the heating process of the internal environment. As soon as the food is ready, the product will beep.

The cooking temperature of different dishes differs significantly, therefore it is important to set the desired values... The indicators of the finished chicken differ significantly from the same biscuit, and the vegetable stew differs in heating temperature from the baked fish. Installation of a thermometer can be internal or external, it primarily depends on the model and manufacturer's recommendations. External varieties can be threaded or hung on the oven handle, and there are those that work from a distance, which is very convenient, although the accuracy of the data may be impaired.

Care is necessary for any household appliances and utensils, therefore an oven thermometer is no exception. Due to exposure to high temperatures and direct contact with food, food residues and dirt can remain on the product, which will stick to it if it is not washed in time. Each manufacturer specifies methods for caring for the thermometer in order to clean it as efficiently as possible and not spoil it.

Stainless steel items can be cleaned in the dishwasher using mild detergents. If the device is of high quality, then it will not be damaged by contact with water both in manual mode and in machine cleaning. Cheap samples are best wiped off with a damp cloth and dried well to prevent rust formation.

For information on how to install an oven thermometer, see the next video.