The instant-read thermometer chefs love is down to $12, but only for a few hours

While cooking does fall under the culinary arts umbrella, it's also very much a science. For the best outcomes, you need to consider ingredient ratios, measure with precision and ensure optimal temperatures. The latter is particularly important when it comes to achieving tender steaks, fluffy cakes and more — and simply preheating your oven and popping your chicken in for the amount of time specified by the recipe won't cut it. No appliance operates exactly the same as another, and hot and cold spots are common culprits when it comes to over- and undercooking. That's why having a trusty kitchen thermometer to test your food along the way is essential — and for a limited time, the wildly popular ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer has been slashed to just $12 at Amazon, right in time for grilling season.

Why is it a good deal? 💰

A quality thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking, and anything that makes mealtime easier is a plus in our book. No cook should be without one, especially considering the ThermoPro is nearly 35% off (its lowest price in months). Think of the meat — which isn't cheap! — you've had to throw out because it was inedible. With this bad boy, you'll achieve consistent results every time while saving money and reducing waste.

Why do I need this? 🤔

The ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer has a 3.9-inch probe with a high-precision sensor for ultra-fast readings — we're talking mere seconds to ensure your steak doesn't turn into rubber while you're waiting to see the temperature. Its impressive range spans –58°F to 572°F (about –50°C to 300°C), and its backlit LCD display makes it easier to read.

Keep it on the fridge (it has a built-in magnet) or use the attached hook to hang it up. And don't worry about draining the battery (it takes one AAA — included!); the thermometer automatically turns off after 10 minutes of inactivity.

You can also use it to properly gauge the doneness of breads and cakes, or check the temperature of coffee, milk, cold beverages and even candy. The world is your oyster (you could use it for those bivalves too!).

What reviewers say 💬

The ThermoPro's army of five-star ratings — over 103,000 — tells us this is a gadget you can count on.

Pros 👍

"I use this thermometer every day in an industrial setting, and it is my favorite," raved a culinary pro. "Unlike other thermometers, I have not had to recalibrate it, and the built-in magnets make it easy to keep track of … must-have for the chef in your life."

"After working in food service for years, my standards are high (most thermometers are terrible)," dished a discerning critic. "This one is so easy to use. You just press the button to release the probe, press the power button to turn it on and you'll have your temperature reading in about five seconds. I like the fold-in design for the probe, which solves the problem of constantly losing the cover — a problem I've had with other thermometers. This one is durable too; I've used it many times now, and when I'm done, I just wash it off and toss it in a drawer, and it continues to work perfectly."

"Very accurate!" exclaimed a happy home cook. "I love to grill meat on the barbecue and roast in the oven, and this is indispensable! It's magnetic and stays on my fridge where it can't get lost in the drawer. I've tried the fancy meat thermometers, but the wires were a turnoff, and the wifi ones are not accurate. This is my go-to! I buy one to give away whenever I gift nice meats because it is so affordable."

Cons 👎

"The only thing I wish was that it had a way to clip onto the side of the pan instead of having to hold it with one hand while trying to stir with the other," wrote a generally pleased reviewer.

"Nice little thermometer," said a final fan. "Only complaint is the back light turns off a little too soon. But it's easy to turn back on, so not a big problem."

One thing this thermometer can't do? Tell you the temperature of shell-on eggs. But that's what the NobleEgg is for.

If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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