Not much of a sale, still pretty expensive.

That's about as much of a sale as you will see on Thermapen -- and those who use them, myself included, feel they are well worth it. The Thermapan is a professional quality tool. If the Thermapen is not in your budget, they have other quality thermometers starting at $16 (have one of those too). They are also better quality than you will see in most stores. You can buy a cheaper one at Walmart or such, but you will not get better accuracy, durability, speed or ease of use for that price. Been there and done that more than once before I found Thermoworks.

I just posted in another forum about this sale -- one of the best things about it is that so many items are included. Often, their sales are just on a particular item or a few items. There is a long list -- plus they have very reasonable shipping.

I know, I've followed their products, I've always felt they were overpriced.

Since I don't need their "professional quality tool", I've never felt the need to buy one. Cost isn't an issue when purchasing quality products that I feel I need.

Thermapen is a very good product, very over-priced. I have one which I won in a competition.

I also have one digital which I bought many years ago on ebay for $3.00 (shipping included), still works, still accurate.

Thermoworks does not manufacture, they only assemble parts outsourced from other places, probably from China.

If you are shopping for other brands, look for one that has a very small tip. The size of the tip determines how fast it can read. For general cooking, most of them are accurate enough. They probably all use the same IC chips inside.

dcarch

I bought a yellow Thermopop a few months ago. Reading in 5 seconds vs 3 seconds for the much more expensive Thermapen. The bright color makes it easy to find. The backlight is great for grilling. So, I'm happy with it.

I've always thought the Thermapen was way overpriced. I would never buy one, just out of principle. Even if I won a mega-millions lottery. nevermind that i'd be hiring a cook and wouldn't need one...

It does work well. Probably overpriced but after wasting money on a few slowwwww and inaccurate thermometers I didn't mind spending a few bucks.

It's not enough of a sale to change anyone's mind, but I suppose if you were planning on buying one anyway then $12 is $12. Better than the laughable $2 bulk discount.

Definitely the best one I've ever owned. DH also used it to adjust the thermostatic water valves in our shower to a precise temperature. See it's multi use and damn accurate too!

Also useful when arguing with the builder that the thermostat is not working properly

LOL

I agree, the sale isn't enough to change anyone's mind, but do note that it isn't just the Thermapen that is on sale. I also have the Super Fast Pocket model. My older son has one and the younger will get one when he is in an apartment next year. At $16, I still consider them professional quality and far, far better than the ones I've bought in department and kitchen stores. A bargain when you consider the slow, inaccurate and short lived ones I've thrown out.

Love mine. Bought for a valentines day gift for us maybe two yrs ago. A red one, : ).
Overpriced but has been used and valued...so much better that the dozen others i've had over the years and junky.

Just need to get off the e-mail list. They seem to have a 'sale' all the time. All year. Once a month. A dollar off here and there.
I do have a 20$ probe that is just as good from amazon. Just not as quick to find and not used as often.

I previously bought one of these for $30.

http://www.thomassci.com/Instruments/Digital-Thermometers/_/Flip-Probe-Digital-Pocket-Thermometer?q=Traceable Thermometers

Thomas Scientific
Flip Probe Thermometer
looks exactly like a Thermapen and I have a hard time thinking it isn't the same instrument, made in China

Described as:
5 1/8â Probe
Includes N.I.S.T. Traceableî Certificate
Probe folds in & out for On & Off switch
Data hold/test function
1 second temperature sensing time
Minimum/maximum memory
C/F switchable
Range: -50ð/150ðC & -58ð/302ðF
Resolution: 0.1ð
Accuracy: ñ1.0ðC 1.8ðF

Anyway it worked great for 4+ years until I gave it to my daughter and it was lost at camp. So I'm going to buy a couple more.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link Here

This post was edited by johnliu on Mon, Dec 29, 14 at 0:28

I bought a Thermapen (GW recommendation) right before Christmas & it worked like a charm with two 5lb pieces of beef tenderloin - each piece was about the price of a Thermapen. We had beef from rare to well done with everyone happy.

I have one and I really love it, BUT it does not read in 3 seconds and never has. I don't know if it's just this one or if they are just exaggerating the time it takes to read, like in an ideal situation like a glass of ice water. Maybe I just got a dud? But compared to any other thermometer I've had, it's wonderful. I may try John's thermometer he posted a link to though next time I need a new one. I'd say it takes at least 10 seconds to read for mine. Which really is fast enough for my needs.

This post was edited by arkansas_girl on Mon, Dec 29, 14 at 7:34

Oh my goodness, thanks for the reminder johnliu.

Until recently, someone in the family always worked in a scientific lab and so most of our kitchen stuff is actually lab equipment.

I'll have to add that site to my Favorites

You may want to take a look at the link below.

As I said, what makes a probe thermometer work fast is how small the tip is.

This one has fairly good reviews. There are bad reviews. I would not be surprised the bad reviews were submitted by Thermapen, LOL.

dcarch

Here is a link that might be useful: Another option

Do you think I can take a file to the tip to thin it down for faster response?

john,
Let us know how that works out for you.

At least taking its temp won't hurt the roast so much. I'm a very kindly cook.

If you want a very thin tip, you might want to look at the chef's alarm. It has standard and thin probes. Filing it could damage the electronics, especially if you don't know what's inside and exactly what and where you have any leeway.

"Do you think I can take a file to the tip to thin it down for faster response?"

No, you shouldn't.

Inside the tube there is a temperature sensor. Based on the measurement specs, the sensor is probably a thermocouple device. The Tube (probe) is a very thin wall metal tube. You will destroy it quickly by filing.

They can make a much faster thermometer, and I wish they would. If they use a thermistor sensor. But a thermistor sensor can only measure up to about 320F, which is good for general cooking.

dcarch

I bought two for Christmas gifts, during a sale. One for DH and the other for a very good friend. They both like to grill but not often enough to be able to touch the meat to tell doneness!

My oven probe has been wonky, lately, and the Thermapen eased my worry about over-cooking the turkey for Christmas. Love the thing.