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I’ve been experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen lately, so dealing with the right temperature is not always an easy task. This is where thermometers make a difference, so I was looking for one in the $20 range and found the ThermoPro TP19H. It is one of the best selling meat thermometers on Amazon, so I decided to give it a try.
As a first impression, I have to say that it feels good quality, is simple and does its job. It doesn’t have a power button like other thermometers; the steel probe must be opened to turn it on or closed to turn the thermometer off. This is more convenient, but even if you leave the thermometer on, it has a function that turns it off automatically after a few minutes of inactivity.
One AAA battery is included, and a screwdriver (included) is necessary to remove a small screw. It may be less practical, but we should note that this thermometer can be washed, so I guess this is necessary to avoid any electrical problems. Anyway, removing the screw takes less than 10 seconds. I don’t know exactly how long it will last, but ThermoPro says it can last almost 3000 hours before having to replace the AAA battery, which is incredible. I don’t use the thermometer all the time, so I probably won’t have to replace the battery for at least 2 years.
Now let’s talk about accuracy and how it works. The time it takes to measure the temperature is around 4 seconds, which isn’t extremely fast compared to other more expensive options, but for $20 it seems fast and accurate. On their website, ThermoPro mentions that the accuracy is ±0.9°C. I’ve used it to measure fried chicken, fish and pie, and the results were perfect. For example, to know if fried chicken is done, I just measure the internal temperature and make sure it is at 74°C (165°F). Before using this thermometer, I had bad experiences frying chicken, but the ThermoPro TP19H has helped me to solve this.
Meat thermometers are not usually recommended for measuring oil temperature, but the ThermoPro TP19H is designed to withstand up to 572°F (300°C), so I often use it for a quick oil measurement, and I have found it useful. Normally you need to heat the oil to 160°C to fry chicken; too low a temperature can increase the fat content and too high a temperature can ruin the food.
On the back of the thermometer, there is a small button to switch from Fahrenheit to Celsius. I usually use Celsius for cooking, but it’s great to have the option if at some point someone else prefers to switch to Fahrenheit. The temperature is easily read via the LCD display, which can be illuminated by pressing one of the two buttons on the back of the thermometer; the other button functions as a temperature lock, which is helpful for people who bake and want to hold the temperature measurement for a few seconds longer.
If you’re looking for a new meat thermometer, the ThermoPro TP19H will be a great choice!