Taylor Digital Waterproof Kitchen Food and Meat Thermometer, with a Folding Probe, Programmable Presets, Backlit Display for Oven, Grilling, Smoker & BBQ - Includes 2 AAA Batteries

It's ability to give a quick reading is for great for my Job, and I also use Is it for my personal home cooking and it does a great job I haven't Is had to worry about overcooking or undercooking my food.

I've had the opportunity to test the Taylor Digital Waterproof Food Meat and Candy Thermometer in my kitchen over the past week. I've always been a firm believer in the precision of cooking thermometers (as opposed to just guessing when the food is done), but my previous thermometer broke and I've been kind of lost without it.PerformanceThe Taylor Digital Thermometer seems to be very precise, measuring temperatures ranging from -40 to 482°F. The doneness and texture of the foods I've used it on have confirmed its reliability. As someone who enjoys a variety of dishes ranging from slow-roasted meats to homemade candy, this wide range has been incredibly useful. The thermometer's precision has ensured that my dishes are cooked to perfection every time, without any guesswork.The waterproof design with an IPX7 rating is a significant highlight. It survived a few accidental drops in the sink and a run under the faucet for cleaning without any damage. The assurance that it can withstand such mishaps is a great relief and makes cleaning it a breeze.Ease of UseThe thermometer is straightforward to use. The folding narrowed tip probe easily opens for use and securely closes for safe storage. The extra-large, blue backlit 0.5-inch display is easy to read even in low light conditions, which is a handy feature when cooking in the evening or early morning.The programmable temperature presets for different protein types may be helpful to some, but those are very basic numbers that most experienced home cooks have committed to memory.Installation and Battery LifeThe initial setup of the thermometer was straightforward. The two included AAA batteries came installed in the unit, protected with an insulation tab to prevent power drain. Several reviewers have complained about the screws on the battery cover, and I was all set to complain as well. But on reflection, it's difficult to ensure waterproofing without being able to tighten down the cover. After removing the tab and ensuring the waterproof gasket was secure, the thermometer powered on without any issues.ConclusionIn short, the Taylor Digital Waterproof Food Meat and Candy Thermometer has made my cooking more precise and enjoyable. It has also saved me from the worry of under or overcooking my dishes. Its waterproof design, easy-to-read display, and programmable temperature presets make it a very user-friendly device.

The first problem was activating the battery. There were FOUR incfedibly tiny screws, that needed an eyeglass screwdriver to remove. VERY frustrating. I made it past that step, removed the plastic battery packaging successfully, and replaced the four tiny screws. THEN, carefully following the instructions, tried to activate and use the thermometer. The screen stayed on for roughly 2 seconds, then went dark. None of the buttons worked to set a different temperature. This is a POS thermometer, and the product engineer should be fired.

Up until a couple weeks ago we had been using a Taylor brand digital thermometer for many years. It was great. The read was almost instant, the probe locked back stable, and it had a strong magnet that held it to the side of the fridge, microwave, or pan I was using to bring things back from the grill.Sadly, I left it outside for a few days and that broke it.So, we purchased several others, including this one, looking for the right one to replace it.This one was not it. It's slow to read temperature in comparison to the previous, probably 2 seconds to really get settled. The needle feels like it could snag on things, just generally is not captive when folded in and has a lot of wiggle or play when closing.It has no magnet at all - which really makes it so much less convenient to use and store.The last thing I'll touch on you'll see in many other reviews -- the battery compartment screws. While I had no problem with this because I happen to have a ridiculous number of tools, I can not possibly see how your average person is going to have a #00 phillips laying around. The screws are very low quality and would easily strip with the wrong tool. It's also just annoying to remove four small screws to change batteries.The reason there are four screws and not one like other models we tested is because the battery cover is thin and flexible, it would likely leak without it. Other models we tested had a substantial battery door with one screw or a coin style battery and a door that itself threaded. These, I felt, were much better quality and design.While personal preference, this model was also significantly larger than the previous one we owned. I much preferred the smaller size of our old thermometer.If I could find the old model for sale, I'd probably buy a dozen.

Works well but there are alternatives which are cheaper or smaller.

Batteries are held in by four TINY screws. Screwdriver not included. You will need something like an eyeglass screwdriver to remove them.Very bad design. Cannot turn the unit on without removing the battery door and pulling out a small piece of plastic.Good eyesight and hand dexterity required.