Where to purchase candy thermometer

Home Basics. Kaplan Early Learning Company. Zulay Deals. Food and Beverage Thermometers. Leave-In Meat Thermometers. Stainless Steel. Marathon Housewares. Maverick Housewares.

Time Timer. Zulay Kitchen. All Deals. Free Standing. Include out of stock. Ultimately, you want the digital display to be large enough to read easily, and clearly assess all of the settings available.

Dial displays: Dial displays are also commonly found on probe-style thermometers, often for meat and refrigerator readings, but also for candy and deep-fry thermometers. Smaller, handheld thermometers typically have smaller dials, sometimes with only either a Fahrenheit or a Celsius reading.

Larger dial displays often include both units of measurement and occasionally safe temperature ranges for different meats or desired levels of doneness. Very often, the scale includes the recommended stages of sugar temperatures for candy making, including soft ball , firm ball, hard ball , soft crack, and hard crack markers.

Glass candy thermometers have a range from to degrees, which is an absolute must. Digital thermometers often have a much wider range of temperature measurements, usually extending lower than degrees, and sometimes even down to subzero temperatures. Many also read hotter ingredients up to and over degrees. Having a thermometer that can comfortably read temperatures below degrees is helpful for many candy-making applications that require dropping the temperature of your sugar or chocolate for crystallization, or when warming liquid to use with yeast.

Infrared thermometers, while not used as often in the home kitchen, provide an even more extreme range of temperatures than digital probe thermometers: typically from 0 to degrees Fahrenheit. Some models can measure temperatures over degrees, which is most often used for high-temperature baking. Nearly all glass thermometer models are clip-on style thermometers, making it easy to watch the temperature of your liquid rise over time, without holding the thermometer over a pot for an hour.

The clip should be sturdy and balanced to keep your thermometer attached securely to the side of the pot. Many probe thermometers with digital and dial displays also come equipped with clips to make monitoring your recipe hands-free.

Many digital thermometers—both probe and infrared—are handheld, which is useful for taking a quick temperature, then removing from the pot for ease of stirring and cooking without any obstructions.

For recipes that require a gradual increase in temperature, you may find yourself holding the thermometer uncomfortably over a hot pot for an extended period of time. A typical probe length is about 3 to 5 inches long, with extra length given by the handle.

This may not seem like much but is generous enough for most projects, from bubbling jams to checking the temperature of a steak. Another option is a digital thermometer that basically functions as a probe with an extension cord. The probe itself rests in the pot, with the extension cord running a foot or so out of the pot to the digital thermometer hub and display. Both hands-free and precise, the extra length will save you from dreaded caramel-splatter burns and let you monitor the gradual temperature increase of your project from a safe distance.

Easy to stash in just about any drawer, or in a canister with other countertop utensils, thermometers will take up very little space. Even so, some thermometers are designed to take up a minimal amount of space, featuring probes that fold up into the handle for safekeeping. Some thermometers come equipped with a magnet to store on the side of your refrigerator or cool magnetic surface.

While glass thermometers mounted on stainless steel frames are often the largest thermometers, they are typically flat and take up very little drawer space. Most important, the size of your thermometer should be comfortable to hold. When it comes to this particular kitchen tool, the more expensive models typically reflect the vanity designs of the thermometer or are more advanced for intensive cooking and grilling—which all have their place if you so desire.

But if your main goal is to get an accurate, quick, and consistent temperature from a thermometer that will last you a while, there are plenty of economical and mid-range models to meet your needs.

Some thermometers come with limited warranties that cover manufacturing defects directly out of the box. Since these thermometers are used in more extreme cooking environments, normal wear and tear, water damage, and any damage that results from accidents or negligence are usually not covered.

Higher-end producers have you register your product online and keep track of your model number for any possible future claims. The temperature is quickly and accurately displayed on the attached dial or digital readout. Most probe thermometers have a tapered tip that indicates how deep the thermometer needs to be inserted into the ingredients to get an accurate temperature reading.

Probe thermometers are made at every price point, and are incredibly versatile cooking tools that are appropriate for a wealth of pastry and savory applications.

Glass thermometers are based on the original thermometer designed hundreds of years ago that is often attributed to Galileo which is wholly unverified, but a fun idea. The thermometer casing is then marked to indicate the exact temperatures the liquid reaches along its expansion.

Mercury was once used as the liquid core of glass thermometers, although that is no longer the case. Most thermometers are filled with an alcohol as the liquid core, indicated by its red color. For an accurate reading, the bulb at the bottom of a glass thermometer must be completely submerged into what it is attempting to measure.

Contemporary glass candy thermometers are very reliable indicators and sturdy tools, although they are predominately used for liquid applications. Less popular with home cooks due to their once higher price point and limited availability commercially, infrared thermometers are becoming increasingly accessible to a wider audience.

In a nutshell, the infrared radiation emitted by the moving molecules in your recipe creates heat. The infrared light produced by this process is a wavelength mostly undetectable to the human eye, but can be measured by reflecting the infrared light onto a lens that can then be detected by a thermopile —which then gets displayed to you.

But there are two important things you need to know before choosing this style of thermometer. The first is that an infrared thermometer reads the surface temperature of what you aim it at, not a depth temperature. Making sure your oil is adequately heated can mean the difference between perfectly crisp coating and soggy, oil-laden breading.

Many candy and jelly recipes and most deep-frying recipes require a good deal of hands-off time while the stove eye gets the liquid to its desired temperature or the food cooks to the right temp. If you don't want to be left holding a thermometer the whole time, you may want a clip-on option. Clip-on candy thermometers are often designed with heavy-duty metal clamps or pins that attach and hold thermometers to pans. Most clips are also adjustable so you can make sure the tip of the probe or the bottom of the bulb isn't touching the hot pan it'll cause false high readings.

Cheap clips will fail quickly and often, and you could lose your thermometer into the molten sugar mixture. Handheld thermometers are typically instant-read thermometers, and they're designed to take quick readings throughout the cooking process.

Since they aren't designed to be left in a pan, it may not be the best option for a recipe that requires very precise temperature ranges. You may be left holding the thermometer over a hot pot for a long time, and that's not comfortable or safe. As mentioned earlier, not every meat thermometer can be a candy thermometer, and not every candy thermometer can be a meat thermometer. That's because the ideal temperature ranges for candy and jellies are often higher than most meats.

Digital thermometers frequently measure below 0 degrees F and above degrees F. That's a great range for every type of candy, plus meats.

Analog thermometers, like dial thermometers, typically don't go below degrees F or above or degrees. For some recipes, like glazes and hard candies, you'll have to go to degrees F or just above. Popping oil, bubbling caramel, gurgling jelly — they can all be a bit intimidating, even for the most seasoned cooks.

This is where the type of thermometer you use can make a difference in both your confidence and in your final result. Long probes keep your hands away from the hot liquids. The average probe is less than five inches, but certain long-probe thermometers can be upward of seven or even nine inches. Handles or displays may add a few more inches.

This is all the space you'll have between your hand and the liquid, so if you need more inches for comfort, look for the longer style. If you want to avoid sticking your hand near the liquid at all, except for stirring or plucking pieces of fried chicken from the oil of course, you may want to consider the clip-on thermometer. This way, the display runs constantly while you're cooking, and you can keep your hand firmly on the spoon or spatula.

This is one kitchen tool where you don't need to pluck down lots of extra money for better quality. Some of the least expensive candy thermometers are also among the highest-rated. Many brands offer lifetime or limited warranties for candy thermometers, even on the cheapest options.

But if you are looking to buy a more expensive thermometer style, certainly check with the seller for warranty information. You're using these tools in more extreme conditions — hot grills, ovens, and pots — so the added protection against defects may be a welcome option.

Of course, most of these warranties will not cover typical wear and tear or accidents, so if you're prone to a few of those, the added cost of a thermometer with a warranty you can't use may be more than what you'd spend if you just replaced the tools as you broke them.

Meat and candy thermometers are on the smaller side. They certainly don't take up the space knife blocks or measuring cups do, but candy thermometers do come in a variety of sizes. Analog thermometers on a stainless steel body can be more than 12 inches long with the feet on bottom to protect the bulb and the handle on top.

Digital thermometers often take up less space, with their long, slender probes. You'll just want to make sure you have a safe place to store whatever style of candy thermometer you buy. Disrupting the bulb or hitting the probe frequently could reduce the thermometer's measuring capabilities. Or worse, they could break.

And you may not know it until your next fudge resembles bricks. By Kimberly Holland. Auto-off feature. ABS plastic sheath with handy temperature guide and pocket clip.

Requires two LR44 batteries included. Measures 11" x 2" x 1". Five-year manufacturer's warranty. Show More of the previous text visually. Features Construction Plastic. Battery Required Included Batteries required, included.