Probe thermometers

[BarbaraL]

On other threads, some of you have mentioned probe thermometers -- the ones that have a probe that sticks into the meat, with a cable that links to a digital readout with an alarm that sounds when the meat reaches the desired temp.

These sound great! Any recommendations as to brand? I know Pampered Chef has one; I saw some at Linens and Things and Bed, Bath and Beyond, but didn't recognize the brand name.

Always looking for new gadgets . . .

[crazyquilter]

I have a Polder's that works great. Don't have anything to compare it to, but I've been happy with it. Probably cost around $25.

[wallycat]

I think Polders is the one COok's Illustrated ranked as their number one choice.
I paid 30+ for mine....and was mad when I saw it at linen's and things for $19.99:D

[Jewel]

I also have a Polders and use it constantly! :) It's stuck on the side of my fridge and even when I'm not cooking meat I use it because it's a great digital timer! The great things about these thermometers is you can set an alarm to go off when the meat reaches the temp that you select. If you want your meat at 145* set it at 140* because meat will cook another 5* on it's own when you pull it out to let the juices regenerate into the meat. You can set it by time or temperature with an alarm on each one! I don't know how I got along without mine!

[aggie94]

I have a PC one that I love, but I also don't have anything to compare it to. I've used it for meat, candy, and bread, and it's been great.

[BarbaraL]

So Polders is a good brand . . . great! I just saw the Polder ones at Linens and Things. They have a regular one and one that shows both the temp of the food and the temp of the oven (for those of you with ovens with funky thermostats)! I have a Brookstone one, but it got dropped and no longer works.

I just had a PC party -- I'm trying to decide to use my half-price selection for a cooking stone gift set (half off $55 for 15" stone, rack, pizza cutter, serving spatula, cookbook and stoneware cookbook) or the temp probe (half off $39.50) (got to pick those higher-end items for the half-price!). I'd probably use the temp probe more, but the stone might be fun.

The regular Polder is $19.99; the dual-temp one is $24.99 (I think) at Linens N Things. Plus I have a discount coupon! If Polder's a good brand, I'll buy it there and use my PC discount on something else (I hear the PC stones are the best). Plus, my PC consultant said the PC one is not recommended for use on a grill -- I think the Polder can be used on a grill.

[Julie O]

Make sure that which ever one you buy can go to high oven temperatures. Mine is only recommended to 350F. I found this out after frying my first probe. I e-mailed the manufacturer, and they sent me a new probe, no questions asked. I just wish I had one that I could use at higher temps.

[funnybone]

I have the PC one and just love it. I'm sure most of the ones out there are as well.