Skip to content
  • Register
    • Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
    Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
    Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

    Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

    thermapen vs. instant read thermo

    Posts: 629
    in EggHead Forum
    I have seen many people rave about the thermapens. I have a $20 CDN instant read thermometer that works great from my experience. What are the benefits to the thermapen?

    Thanks,

    Chris
    Killen, AL (The Shoals)
    XL, Small, Minimax, and Mini BGEs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Comments

    • Posts: 1,118
      My Thermapen is a very "slow" instant read.  It will go up 20 degrees, like 2/10 at a time.
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 10,490
      Basically it is just faster.  It will give you a pretty accurate reading in around 2 seconds.  The cheapo ($10-$12 grocery store models) take well over 10 seconds to give you an accurate reading.  If you found one you are happy with for $20 then it may not be worth the extra $$ to upgrade. 

      Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 555
      I have had many thermos over the years, and I was quite happy with my Taylors until I got a  Thermapen.

      It's much faster....which is nice when you have the dome up on the egg and don't want it to:

      1 - Cool off cause you're cooking hot...or:
      2 - Add a bunch of air to a low fire, causing the egg to heat up.

      The Thermapen is also  more accurate....and the larger display is easier to read.
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 34,987
      WRT the thermopen-I changed my display to *F when I got it-I can't imagine being concerned by 1/10*F (or *C) for that matter.  Just a slower pace of life...or slower reaction time or .....
      Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 2,615
      I'm in same situation Bama
      Boom
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 42,109
      Thermopen be accurate.  NIST traceable calibration.
      ______________________________________________
      I love lamp..
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 16,716
      I'm not familiar with the "CDN", but I do/did have four other "instant-read" thermo's that didn't work well at all; the Thermapen also has a much thinner probe which doesn't release as much juice once withdrawn.
      But, it's expensive.  If you're happy with your CDN stick with it!  
      ___________

      If serving is beneath you, leading is beyond you.  

      Ogden, UT


      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 629
      edited December 2012
      I appreciate the input guys. I do like the idea of the probe being smaller as you say Botch. Why does every dang thing that we use with these Eggs have to be so expensive?

      BTW, just ordered a BBQ Guru. Merry Christmas to me!!
      Killen, AL (The Shoals)
      XL, Small, Minimax, and Mini BGEs
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 629
      Yah, I think I might pick up a cheaper hobby. Like collecting rocks or something. 

      Not nice rocks, but rather gravel and stuff...
      Killen, AL (The Shoals)
      XL, Small, Minimax, and Mini BGEs
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 8,174
      Then you'll think, "Man, that gravel would look real cool in a gold plated gravel bin!" 
      Flint, Michigan
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 42,109
      Ya can't take it with you....
      ______________________________________________
      I love lamp..
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 1,214
      Then you need a nice truck to haul the gravel... It's all just a slippery slope...
      Lynnwood WA
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 2,615
      Y'all are funny
      Boom
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 8,524
      q2-450 CDN is about $20 and is great, it reads in about 4-5 seconds. The tip is almost as small as the Thermapen. The 450 is even faster than the $80 CDN Thermocouple "Thermapen" wanna be, I ordered one and returned it. 

      My son has a 450 so I have had first hand experience. With a steak down on the low grid searing away, every second counts. He eyes my Thermapen every time he is over, I have to pat him down before he leaves. 
      Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 8,174
      When I used to drive a real heap and visit my folks, my Dad would "pat me down" for tools. He ended up buying me tools and then said to leave his alone or else. Ahhh, the threats, good times!
      Flint, Michigan
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
    • Posts: 42,109
      I used to drive my dad nuts - I used his tools more than he did.  He had a peg-board, of course, and I didn't always put them back.  I hate peg-boards....
      ______________________________________________
      I love lamp..
      · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories