Some people rely on the eye test to tell whether food is done. Others put their faith on cooking time. If you want to accurately tell whether food is done, though, nothing beats a food thermometer, which is why they’re heavily used among chefs and precision-obsessed cooks. Depending on the make and model of food thermometer you’re using, chances are, it takes anywhere from three to 20 seconds to do a proper reading. The Thermoworks Thermapen One outdoes every other option by doing its reading in one second or less.
Easily the fastest instant-read thermometer in the market, the tool allows you to check how cooked your food in a literal tick of the clock. No need to keep the oven door open, take the lid off the pot, or raise the lid off the grill for a few seconds like you normally do – this thing lets you know the precise temperature instantly, so you can quickly resume cooking or end it with no delay.
The Thermoworks Thermapen One doesn’t compromise quality readings for the sake of speed, by the way, as it actually performs five full readings to reduce any uncertainty, instead of using estimations and predictive algorithms like some instant read thermometers might do to speed up the process. To achieve this, it uses a new thermocouple system that’s been developed to balance the faster temperature readings with the delicate electronics. The result is a food thermometer that boasts what the outfit claims is an industry-leading accuracy spec of just 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit, so it does impressively precise readings on top of being ridiculously fast.
A small rectangular display on the side allows you to quickly see the temperature reading, with integrated backlighting automatically turning on under low light to make sure it’s easily visible even when you’re cooking in a dark kitchen. And yes, the screen reorients its temperature display depending on how it’s held, so no need to strain your neck trying to read an upside down display.
The Thermoworks Thermapen One also boasts a newly-designed housing that’s both rugged and waterproof to IP67 standards, so you can drop the darn thing in a pot of soup or accidentally throw it on the wall after burning yourself without immediately destroying your thermometer. Do note, the body still looks like every other instant-read thermometer out there, so it’s just as convenient to use and store. Other features include a 4.3-inch probe with silver ion technology (for antimicrobial function), user-configurable auto-sleep (between 10 and 80 seconds), and a motion sensor that automatically turns on the device once picked up.
Like many digital food thermometers out there, it runs on a single AAA battery that can keep it running for up to 2,000 hours. Considering it does a reading in one second, we imagine you can go through many years without having to replace the darn thing. As such, the battery cover is still secured with a screw, since there’s a chance you’ll never even do a replacement throughout its lifespan.
The Thermoworks Thermapen One is available now, priced at $105.