Taylor thermometer - is it junk?

freedonia · June 2011

I have yet to invest in a Thermapen but after reading through this forum for a couple of weeks, there appears to be a consensus that this is a necessity. It's on my wish list but as a new egg owner, my list is pretty long. In the meantime, I bought a cheap Taylor instant thermometer at Lowe's. Is this total junk or can I expect it to be reasonably accurate, within say a couple of degrees? Do I really need to move the Thermapen to the top of my wish list?

Bobby-Q · June 2011

I would move the Thermapen to the top of the list. It really is the handiest accessory.

SheepDog · June 2011

Freedonia for what it's worth I have a Taylor Instant read that is widely used in the home brewing community where a couple of degree difference can be a few hundred dollar mistake. With that I don't think you will be disappointed, just watch the temperature range you use it for. Also be sure to calibrate it!

SheepDog · June 2011

Here's another Taylor that is supposedly even faster then Thermapen and has infrared function.

Would be great for obtaining grid temperature.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/taylor-9305-infrared-thermometer-with-probe/9139305.html

freedonia · June 2011

I did check it with boiling water and it was spot on.

NibbleMeThis · June 2011

If it is the Taylor Weekend Warrior, it is not bad. I have a Thermapen and have compared all of my instant reads. It was second fastest only a few seconds behind the Thermapen (http://www.nibblemethis.com/2009/11/probing-questions-about-thermometers.html)

I have had it longer than my Thermapen and use them both.

FSM-Meatball · June 2011

Taylor isn't junk, but slower.

To test the speed, either put ice water in a glass or boil some water. Put the thermometer in the water and time how long it takes to get to 32 or 212, when I tested my previous "Instant" Thermometer it was around 10 seconds or more. Thermapen is 3 seconds. That 7 second difference can mean alot of heat let out of your grill while waiting for the thermometer. The Thermapen is worth the money.

I actually got pretty good at guessing the temps by how fast the temp was moving on the screen so I didnt have to wait the full 10 sec.

freedonia · June 2011

Yep, it takes about 10 seconds. I guess I didn't realize speed was as important as accuracy. It seems to be accurate with boiling water but it definitely takes the full 10 seconds.

freedonia · June 2011

It is the Taylor Weekend Warrior that I have. Maybe it will do for the time being, although there is Father's Day around the corner.

SheepDog · June 2011

The Taylor 9305 is supposedly 2 seconds faster than Thermapen and $30 cheaper... might be worth a try!

Bacchus · June 2011

Thermapen is in a class by itself. But, Taylor has been making thermometer for decades and with no significant quality issues that I am aware. I think the main thing you get with Thermapen is an actual instant read whereas the Taylor and others take a good bit longer.

Austin Egghead · June 2011

freedonia wrote:

Is this total junk or can I expect it to be reasonably accurate

it is not a piece of junk unless you treat it like one. :( Check it accuracy every once in a while and it will serve you well. :cheer:

Taylor thermometer - is it junk?

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