(Update: The Thermapen MK4 is currently not available on Amazon. If you follow the links in this article it will bring you to a comparable instant read thermometer from Lavatools. You can go directly to the ThermoWorks site for the instant read thermometer in this article).
The world of digital thermometers is vast and the options are endless. I decided to review a known commodity that was rated #1 thermometer by America’s Test Kitchen. It’s called the Thermapen Mk4 Instant Read Thermometer.
In the world of grilling and smoking, temperatures are extremely important not only when it comes to cooking the food properly but also for the health of the person consuming that food. Instant read digital thermometers can make the difference between a successful meal and an unsuccessful one.
The instant read feature and the accuracy feature are two of the most important aspects of any digital thermometer. Two more features which are found in the Thermapen Mk4 Instant Read Thermometer are the intelligent backlight and the readout adjusting for the orientation of the thermometer. These 2 features are not found in all digital instant read thermometers.
In the video below I am smoking 2 pork butts (pork shoulders) and the ideal temperature range that you want to achieve is in the range of 190◦ F – 205◦ F. It is also important to understand that when you are done the cooking process the temperatures will probably rise a few more degrees so you should figure that into the cook.
Hopefully everything that you need to know is included in the video below.
If you have any questions that are not answered about the Thermapen Instant Read Thermometer in the video above please ask them in the comments below or contact me via my Contact Me page.
Here are a few more instant read thermometers that are highly rated and may be a bit more economical than the Thermapen Mk4 Instant Read Thermometer.
Other Instant Read Digital Thermometers
Bob started this passion site, Life with Grilling, in 2012. Life with Grilling has been a trusted source for grilling and barbecue tips, techniques, and accessories for over 10 years. Bob has been charcoal grilling for most of his adult life and smoking meats using a personally-configured stick-burner Brinkmann smoker since 2012.
His passion for charcoal grilling was instilled into him by his father who used charcoal on a basic grill to cook for his family on warm summer nights. Charcoal grilling and tending to his smoker has been a happy pastime of Bob’s, especially as he enters his retirement years. His love of all things grilling and smoking has allowed him to review the best charcoal grills and grilling accessories available in the martketplace and to develop many recipes, grilling tips, and techniques over the years. He is eager to share his lifelong grilling experiences and expertise through Life with Grilling!
