Cheaper alternative to Thermapen? Does not have to be digital.

caliking

Toxarch said:

I have 2 Thermapens and always use them. I used to take one with me when cooking at other people's houses or at competitions and worried about losing it or it walking off when I wasn't looking. So I bought a few refurb thermapops just for those occassions. If a friend likes it and wants one, I just give them the one I am using when I am done. If it disappears at a competition, I'm not that worried about it.

Instant read thermometers are an investment in my book. Don't think of it as an expensive $90 spent today. Think of it as a $90 investment in saving your expensive meat for the rest of your life. What's $90 spread out over the next 50 years? I was at a family reunion last week and my aunt said she always overcooked porkchops. I asked if she used any kind of instant read thermometer and she said no. I said she could buy one for under $25 and she thought that was too much to spend. Really? You'd rather buy meat and cook it to the wrong temps than spend $25 one time to have perfectly cooked meat for the rest of your life? I told her next time she's at my house, remind me and I'll give her one.

Another way to look at it is in terms of beer $$. If you can't spend $30 or so on a reliable thermo, then you shouldn't be drinking either. Beer and booze ain't cheap. Nor is meat. 

I would personally pick the thermopop at your price point , because of thermoworks'  history of outstanding service , and very reasonable charges for repairing thermos that are out of warranty. 

Cmyachtie

The thermopro tp03A is now on for only $10.99 I paid $14.99 only a week or so ago and it's a great tools for the money

THEBuckeye

Pop Rules 

Space_City_Egger

+1 for thermapop. Been giving as gifts and people LOVE them. I love my thermapen 

JustOneOfTheGuys

WDE86 said:

After doing a couple of smokes, I've noticed that the old meat thermometer I have at home is not accurate. It's very difficult to get a reading past 140f. Thermapens are nice, but my fiance and I are on a tight budget (both working and going to school full time). Is there anything out there that can get me by? I'm not trying to have the fanciest set up right now. Just something I can reliably depend on to help with my cooks. 

If you are looking for a good reliable adjustable thermometer, you can rely on Taylor products.  Is it as fast as a thermapen / pop, no.  Is it backlit, no.  It is reliable.  And remember you are also going for the "feel" of the meat when you probe its temp and not just the temp alone... For just over 5 bucks its a real bargain.

  https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Precision-Products-Classic-Thermometer/dp/B00004XSC4/ref=pd_day0_86_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A5ZH56PW1NK78TWAX3KC

and for a few 2 bucks more, you can get their digital version..

https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Precision-Products-Commercial-Thermometer/dp/B00009WE45/ref=pd_sim_79_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KYBEQEYS6WNH0TN2X24E

Photo Egg

JustOneOfTheGuys said:

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And remember you are also going for the "feel" of the meat when you probe its temp and not just the temp alone... 

I don't really agree with this. Fast read probe devices are made for checking faster cooking food like steaks and chicken pieces.
You are only checking for temp.
If you like your steaks med rare you pull it at med rare. Feel of the meat when you probe has nothing to do with it. You either got a tender steak or you don't. 
Meats like pork butt and brisket are cooked to "probe tender" but then temp has nothing to do with it. A bamboo skewer does the same thing.

Legume

I had a Taylor digital that I got at HD and used it for years.  Good and reliable, but at least twice as slow as a pop.  Took quite a while to walk it's way up to temp and settle down.

that was just my experience.