The most important aspect of any thermometer test is accuracy. This is the criteria that is given the most weight when compiling entries for the best list, and it is the most scientific of the tests. We use a medical thermometer as a basis for accuracy and test the meat probe’s deviation from that temperature.

Ice water test

To test the accuracy of a thermometer, you usually need a cup, some ice cubes, and water. Due to the nature of water, it can be both liquid and solid at 32°F (0°C), so we can reliably get it to that temperature. By filling a tall glass with ice cubes and adding water – chilled water so the ice doesn’t melt – you can lower the water temperature to 32°F.

We then insert both the medical probe and the meat probe we are testing and stir until the medical thermometer reads 32°F. When that happens, we record the temperature reading from the meat probe we are testing to see if there are any deviations, if any.

Why don’t we use heat?

You might think that using heat would make more sense. After all, these are probes for grilling meat, so high heat is more important, right? Unfortunately, heat is dependent on many factors, such as altitude and pressure, that we can’t always control. However, the freezing point of water is always the same no matter where you are, so we can ensure accuracy regardless of location.