Whenever you’re looking to make that perfect roast, you risk being disappointed by over or undercooked meats. Thankfully, meat thermometers are a thing, and they can now help you tell the exact temperature of your turkeys. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the Kizen IP100 Instant Read Meat Thermometer and see what all the hype is about.
About the Kizen Brand
Kizen is an electronics firm dedicated to giving the world unique, original, and high-quality product solutions. The company is focused on developing innovative and distinctive product solutions that enhance their clients’ quality of life, whether through increased convenience, time and money savings, stress reduction, or extra entertainment value.
The company claims they are completely dedicated to customer satisfaction and believe that there is no higher objective in their business. They have a dedicated customer support team on hand to assist you with any customer service or technical issues that may arise.
Pros and Cons of the Kizen IP100 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Pros
- Easy to read backlit display.
- Long probe, keeps your fingers safe.
- Has a bottle cap opener.
- Foldable and lightweight.
- Works for different kinds of food.
- Waterproof construction.
Cons
- You have to calibrate it.
- Plastic construction leads to questionable durability.
Do You Need a Meat Thermometer?
There is no way to know if food has been prepared safely by sight, smell, or even taste. The only method to ensure that food is cooked to the right internal temperature and that hazardous bacteria are eradicated is to use a food thermometer.
A food thermometer is required for various applications, not just meat. All prepared foods must reach a safe minimum internal temperature to avoid food illness. After food has been cooked, a food thermometer is required to ensure the temperature does not fall into the danger zone.
Benefits of Using an Instant Read Meat Thermometer
A quick read thermometer does exactly what it says on the tin. When handled properly, it can assist ensure food safety and sanitation.
Prevents Food Poisoning
A decent thermometer will also assist in preventing food poisoning. To avoid foodborne infections like salmonella, you must always boil meat to a safe temperature before eating or serving.
Is Versatile
An instant-read thermometer helps measure the temperature of hot liquids like stocks and soups to ensure they cool rapidly enough to prevent bacteria growth. You can also use it to check a roasted chicken’s temperature. Insert the probe into the thigh where it joins the breast, avoiding the bone. Remember that part of its juices escape when you pierce the bird, making it dry.
It’s Better Than Cutting the Meat
Using a meat thermometer rather than cutting a piece of meat open can make a world of difference in terms of the appearance of the meat on the dish and the flavor. It’s best to invest in a nice digital instant-read thermometer rather than cutting into the meat, as cutting into it releases all the exquisite juices and flavors that have been locked in, and the meat can become dry.
Difference Between a Meat Thermometer and an Instant Read Thermometer?
Meat Thermometer
There are some similarities between meat and an instant-read thermometer, except a meat thermometer features a larger dial (on analog thermometers) to make reading easier.
The primary distinction is that, in contrast to an instant-read thermometer, a meat one is put into a joint of meat or a whole chicken/turkey and remains in place during the roasting process. To check the temperature, simply glance at the dial.
The digital versions of meat thermometers are more advanced. They can be programmed to emit a beep when the set temperature is attained. In this situation, the probe is coupled to the unit through a long, oven-proof wire that is normally magnetically fastened to the outside of the oven.
Instant Read Thermometer
Instant-read thermometers are probe thermometers that you can get in analog and digital types. They enable cooks to get direct temperature results on food.
They’re excellent for checking if the meat is done at a certain point in the cooking process, but they’re not intended to be left in while cooking. They are very easy to use. All you have to do is stick the pointy end into the meal, take a temperature reading, and then simply remove the probe.
Instant-read-type thermometers can also determine the temperature of items in a steam tray or something like a chafing dish, plus the temperature of cold goods at salad bars, and determine the rate at which soups and sauces cool.
It Works with Grilled Meat, Too!
A common error made by home chefs is neglecting to use meat thermometers when grilling meat, believing they can tell whether it is cooked just by looking at or tasting it. To ensure that your food is properly cooked, you can use a meat thermometer on indoor and outdoor grills, such as a George Foreman grill. Grill marks on meat may not necessarily signal that it is fully cooked.
How to Use the Kizen IP100 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Before you start using the IP100, you will first calibrate it. A critical characteristic of any thermometer is its calibrating capacity if it is not reliably reading temperatures. This Kisen thermometer can be calibrated in the following manner:
- Fill a glass halfway with ice and then halfway with cold water.
- Allow 3 minutes for it to sit.
- Incorporate the thermometer into the ice bath’s center.
- Press and hold the “CAL” key until the display reads “CALL.”
- In this mode, you can increase the digits by pressing the C/F button and lower them by pressing the HOLD/MAX-MIN button.
- Once you’ve reached the desired temperature (32 degrees Fahrenheit), release all buttons and the display will resume regular operation.
After that, it’s very simple. Always make sure the thermometer is unfolded (it fully extends to 10.2 inches) and stick the probe in the meat. The proper placement is critical to get an accurate reading. The food thermometer should be placed in the thickest section, avoiding contact with bone, fat, or gristle. Wait for the recommended period for your thermometer type.
It’s important to note that the exact spot where you have to stick the thermometer depends on the type of food you’re preparing. Here are some examples:
- Poultry – Insert in the thickest area, but avoid the bone.
- Fish – When the fish is opaque and readily flakes with a fork, insert it into the thickest portion of the fish.
- Beef/Pork – Insert in the thickest section of the body, away from the bone, gristle, and fat.
- Hamburgers – Same as with beef and pork.
Features of the Kizen IP100 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Construction & Durability
The Kizen IP100 is designed with a plastic body. Truth be told, any other construction would have upped the product’s price with at least $10, so it might be for the best. Who doesn’t want an accessible meat thermometer?
While decent, it’s questionable how well this thermometer would perform if you dropped it on the floor a couple of times. Granted, it doesn’t feel flimsy when you hold it, but only time will tell when it comes to fragile products with a plastic chassis.
Size
Measuring a mere 7.36 x 2.44 x 1.14 inches and weighing in at only 3.99 ounces, this is a highly portable and lightweight instant-read meat thermometer. That means that you can easily pick it up while you’re in a kitchen rush, you can store it in pretty much any drawer, and you can always have it with you in your apron’s front pocket.
Ease of Use
Once you calibrate the thermometer, using it is no more complicated than using similar products from other competitors that claim their products have reinvented the wheel.
Price Range
The IP100 is available with plenty of different online retails and, while the price varies from one shop to another, you can typically buy this for less than $20.
Waterproof
This IP67-rated waterproof food thermometer is completely safe to clean under running water. This means that you can rinse the probe quickly once you’re done checking the meat temperature to avoid cross-contamination. It also makes it easier to wash it, especially since you don’t have to worry about moisture affecting the internal components.
Alternatives to the Kizen IP100 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
ThermoPro TP-03 is an efficient option for quickly obtaining the most precise temperature readings. The digital kitchen thermometer features a simple yet practical design that allows the foldaway probe to pop open for quick and easy temperature readings. Simply fold the probe back in to keep it safe and clean when you’re finished.
- Brand: ThermPro
- Power source: battery
- Battery type: AAA
This thermometer reads instantly with a high-precision sensor (the 3.9-inch food-grade stainless steel probe reads the temperature within 3-5 seconds). It has a foldable design and works with AAA batteries available with your purchase.
Pros
- Highly accurate reading.
- Foldable design.
- Backlit display.
Cons
- Questionable long-term durability.
Alpha Grillers Instant Read Meat Thermometer
If you are looking for another reliable alternative to the Kizen, here is one that will not disappoint. The Alpha Grillers thermometer includes a hold button that locks the screen, allowing you to easily remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
- Brand: Alpha Grillers
- Power source: battery
- Battery type: CR2
This thermometer measures the temperature in 2-4 seconds, allowing you to spend more time chilling with friends rather than grilling with burnt ends. Its probe folds away just enough to access those difficult-to-reach areas. It comes beautifully packed in an elegant foam-lined box, making it ideal for gift giving.
Pros
- Easy to read.
- Quick temperature reading.
- LED-backlit display.
Cons
- Not as waterproof as advertised.
ThermoPro TP-02S Instant Read Meat Thermometer
This is a 5.3-inch extra-long digital thermometer for cooking with a stainless-steel food-grade probe that keeps your hands away from the heat, whether grilling or baking. Within four to seven seconds, the highly accurate sensor on this thermometer determines the temperature with a 0.9° F accuracy.
- Brand: ThermoPro
- Power source: battery
- Battery type: LR44
You can choose to display the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. After 10 minutes of not being used, it turns itself off, thus preserving battery life. It’s powered by a single LR44 battery and has a stainless steel finish to match most kitchen appliances these days.
Pros
- High-temperature accuracy.
- Wide temperature range.
- Easy to store and portable.
Cons
- Questionable durability.
Final Say
The Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer is competent but not exceptional. It may have some durability difficulties due to the plastic body being less robust than certain other thermometers.
It has quite a lot of advantages considering its relatively low price, so we would recommend it if you’re on the market for a waterproof device that’s easy to calibrate, lightweight, and pretty accurate.