For the longest time, I was a traditionalist when it came to making sure my steak was cooked just right. Five minutes on one side and five minutes on the other resulted in a perfect medium. I frequently cooked it for even less time, because that’s just how I like it.
However, when my wife came along, she insisted her steak be, well, slightly more than medium. Ick. So I had to have a way to make sure her steak was done right, or she wouldn’t eat it. After many failures, I finally relented to getting a meat thermometer.
This Belwares wireless meat thermometer review will cover things to look for in a meat thermometer as well as my experience with the Belwares Wireless Meat Thermometer.
Meat Thermometer Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things to note when purchasing a meat thermometer. Sure, it tells you the temperature of your meat, but you have to know what that means, or it won’t do you any good.
Meat Temperature
Most meat thermometers will tell you the temperature of your meat pretty quickly. It’s generally 5 seconds or less. It may be up to 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit off within a range of -40 to 500 degrees. However, if you want a reading faster, look for models that advertise instant readings. Milliseconds matter to professionals and perfectionists.
You’ll also want to make sure you get both Fahrenheit and Celsius readouts if you use both frequently. It’s a feature that’s worth it when a new recipe calls for something you’re not used to.
Grill Temperature
Some meat thermometers will also tell you the temperature of your cooking surface before you put your meat on it. This is an overlooked feature that comes in handy if your grill or range doesn’t have a thermometer on it already.
It can mean the difference between seared and burnt. It can also help you judge whether or not the grill is ready or if you need to give it another minute to warm up.
Ease of Use
Your thermometer should be easy to use. The right probe length and an easy digital readout are the two most important things. You have to put your thermometer in the deepest part of your meat to get an accurate reading, so the probe needs to be long enough if you’re roasting a 25-pound turkey.
However, if you’re primarily using it for grilling steaks, a shorter probe will do the trick and be much less obtrusive. Some models will even let you leave your probe in the meat the entire time you’re cooking it, which is an important consideration for some chefs.
The display should be equally as easy, because I don’t have to tell you that misreading a temperature could mean a severely unhappy dinner guest.
Extra Features
Aside from a probe and a readout that make your thermometer easy to use, you can look for extra features like Bluetooth, a backlit screen, anti-fog coatings, and longer battery life. Some meat thermometers come with two probes, which makes checking the temperature on a large batch of meat more efficient.
Belwares Wireless Meat Thermometer
I can’t deny that the Belwares wireless meat thermometer was easy to use. It’s compact and portable, so it’s the perfect companion for outdoor grilling. It’s bright orange, so it’s nearly impossible to lose, especially when you make use of the hook to hang it somewhere prominent.
I found that I enjoyed using it quite a bit, but its simple design leaves a few extra features to be desired.
Accurate Temperature Readings
Belwares advertises accurate and instant temperature readings. At least one of those things is right. I found that the temperature was always accurate, but it definitely wasn’t instant. It took anywhere from 4-7 seconds to fully read the right temperature. If you pull the probe out of the meat any sooner, you won’t get an accurate reading.
For my purposes, 4-7 seconds isn’t a deal breaker, but for some it might be. The digital display is easy to read, so once it does reach the correct reading, you’ll easily see what it is thanks to large, clear numbers.
The Probe
The probe is made from a heat-resistant stainless steel, so it’s very durable. It also features a precision sensor that offers a more accurate readout than other thermometers. It’s 3.8 inches long, so it’s perfect for steaks, small chickens, and other items on the grill, but may not be the best for your large Thanksgiving bird.
The tapered tip makes it easy to slide the probe into even the toughest meats so you can reach the deepest part for a more accurate reading.
The Casing
The plastic casing leaves much to be desired. It feels cheap and flimsy. I’m not a huge fan of the bright orange color, but some might be. However, I didn’t like the feel of the thermometer in my hand. I thought it could have been made a little better. The stainless steel probe will definitely outlive the plastic components.
LCD Screen
I didn’t appreciate the large LCD screen. It was easy to read so I always knew I was reading it correctly. It also has both Fahrenheit and Celsius readouts, so you can easily toggle back and forth with different recipes.
Compact, Wireless Design
The probe folds into the casing so you can take it anywhere. It’s also easy to store using the hook on the casing. Simply slide the probe out of the casing and pop the button up to get a reading.
Having a wireless meat thermometer is also a lot more convenient than something with wires. Without any wires to get in the way, checking temperatures is a lot more straightforward. I’ve dealt with wired meat thermometers in the past, and the wires get sticky and messy very quickly. This design is definitely superior.
Auto Shut Off
As with nearly everyone these days, I get easily distracted and am constantly forgetting to turn things off or put them away. With the auto shut off feature, I never had to worry about whether I remembered to turn the thermometer off or not.
This is a great feature to ensure you preserve your battery life. Plus, it comes with 3 AAA batteries to get you started, and they’re easy to replace when they do go dead.
Pros
- Compact
- Affordable
- Large display
- Auto shut off
- Accurate readings
- Fahrenheit and Celsius readings
- Durable stainless steel probe
Cons
- Readings aren’t instant
- Casing feels like cheap plastic
Alternatives
If you’re looking for a meat thermometer, the Belwares wireless meat thermometer isn’t your only option. It’s insanely affordable, but it lacks some advanced features. You may want to look at some of these other options as well.
ThermoPro TP-07 Wireless Meat Thermometer
For just a few extra bucks, you can upgrade from the Belwares to the ThermoPro TP-07. This unit has quite a few advanced features that make it even easier to use. It has a backlit LCD that changes colors to reflect cooking progress.
Rare temperatures turn the screen blue, medium temperatures turn it green, and well-done temperatures flash red. You’ll immediately see if you’re approaching a cook time that’s way too long. It also has 8 pre-programmed settings for different kinds of meat including beef, ground beef, pork, chicken, veal, lamb, fish, and poultry. You can also create your own temperature presets for the things you cook most often.
You don’t have to be connected to WiFi for the thermometer to send temperature readings to your pocket. You can be up to 300 feet away and still get accurate readings from the probe in your meat. However, because it doesn’t have an app, you are carrying around an extra device in your pocket instead of simply being able to use your phone.
It also includes a countdown timer, a rubber sleeve, a belt clip, and a hanger. It’s intuitive and surprisingly affordable.
MEATER Smart Digital Meat Thermometer
While the MEATER doesn’t work quite as far away, it does have an app, so you can use your phone to read accurate temperatures up to 33 feet away. You can also set up custom alerts for either temperature or time. It features an estimator algorithm that can help you figure out how long to cook and rest your food.
The magnetized bamboo charging dock will recharge your battery up to 100 times and you can also connect it to Alexa so you can get temperature readings with your voice rather than touching your phone with meaty hands. This is another affordable wireless meat thermometer that maximizes usability and convenience.
Soraken Wireless BBQ Meat Thermometer
You’ll spend a little bit more to purchase this one, but it comes with 4 probes, which makes checking temperatures much more efficient. It also has 2 extra slots so you can accommodate a total of 6 probes at once. While you have to have a mobile device to check the temperatures, you don’t have to have access to WiFi. You can still read temperatures almost 200 feet away.
There are 11 cooking presets and you can customize your own as well. It’s easy to select the right setting and then walk away. The probe will tell you what to do. When your food is ready, your app will beep. As an added benefit, it runs on 2 AA batteries that are easy to replace and it has a strong magnet on the back, so it’s easy to store and keep out of the way.
Belwares Wireless Meat Thermometer Review: Final Thoughts
Meat thermometers are useful tools for professional and amateur chefs alike. Once I finally succumbed to using one, I found that I did actually like knowing exactly how my meat was cooked.
The Belwares wireless meat thermometer is a really great option for people on a budget. It’s affordable, compact, accurate, and easy to use. However, it lacks some of the extra features that you’ll find by just spending a few dollars more.
My next experiment will probably be the ThermoPro TP-07 because it’s still surprisingly affordable and allows you to leave the probe in place and walk away. The color-changing LCD makes it easier to use at a glance, and the cooking presets allow you to customize your experience.