Difference between dairy thermometer and candy thermometer

Totally agree with ChefOno. The Thermapen is absolutely incredible. I use it for testing doneness in large cuts of meat, for making candies and icings, and for cheese making. Having a thermometer that you can just whip out and get a nearly instant (and accurate) temperature reading is priceless. I can't tell you how many of those crappy glass candy thermometers I've broken over the years, and how frustrated I've gotten with metal thermometers that you have to attach to the side of the pan without letting it touch the bottom. Thermapen can read temps even in very shallow quantities of liquid. It's absolutely worth what it costs because IT WORKS (no, I was not paid to say nice things about Thermapen--it's just that good.)

Thanks everyone!
Chef Ono- brilliant now I should never come up with this question as you have explained everything so much so in detail. I love to know technically everything before using it.
AJ - Hope you are doing good with your post-surgery thing. I have a thermometer below 85 F, which came in kit I had ordered. I think I might buy another one, soon.

this is great, chef. let me come back to it when my brain is fresh , and i will ask some questions after i've read again and googled the items. thx so much!

Thank you for your kind words, Mindy. I don't believe anyone has ever asked me a question like that. Brace yourself…

You've probably noticed that I take a scientific approach to cooking. In addition to safety issues, I find accurate temperatures important for learning, understanding and repeatability.

First, allow me get a pet peeve off my chest: An accurate instant-read thermometer can be aquired for less than $5, a digital version for around $10. There is simply no excuse for not cooking with one for safety issues alone, yet only 10% of American households even own one, much less use it every time they roast a chicken. People ask me all the time how they can learn to cook better. My response is always the same: "First, buy a thermometer."

I actually don't have either a refrigerator or oven thermometer. The equipment is, however, calibrated using an air probe for my big Taylor.

#1 Thermapen Super fast and super accurate (calibrated to laboratory standards). Versatile enough to do 90% of all tasks. One-handed readings. If you just Googled "Thermapen" and screamed "Ninety bucks for a thermometer?!!!", I assure you it's worth it if you can afford it. If not, the one I carry in my sleeve pocket, a Taylor 9842, runs around $11.

#2 Taylor 9810 This is a two-handed thermocouple unit with interchangeable, cabled probes. As fast and as accurate as the Thermapen but can be outfitted with a surface probe which I use for reading griddle temperatures. You know how most people believe the first batch of pancakes is always a loss? Knowing the pan is precisely 350F is one of the two keys to getting them perfect every time. If I could have only one thermometer, this would be the one, but I've got 4 probes for it including a burger probe. (Hey, some people have more knives than they ever use, at least my thermometers get constant exercise.)

#3 ThermoWorks oven thermometer / timer. A decent roasting thermometer that will double as a candy thermometer (or whatever) with its optional clip. As with all inexpensive digital thermometers, this one uses thermistor technology which is not as quick as a thermocouple (not an issue in this case) and its accuracy can drift over time. But new probes are cheap (around $6) so it's not a major loss when you pinch the cable in the oven door or accidently broil one along with the roast.

#4 Maverick Oil and Candy Nothing fancy but it does the job. No cables and a splash shield are reasons to own one.

#5 El-cheapo Taylor analog dial thermometer, stained a deep mahogany brown from years of being stuck in the top vent of my Webber kettle when I'm smoking briskets and pork butt.

#6 Fluke Infrared Not very useful except in limited situations.

chef ono, i love learning from you so thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. plse tell us about your 6 thermometers and what they do (aside from refrig and oven thermometers that is). Have you found an instant read thermometer with a clip- that you are happy with? I wish you would do an article for 52 on this subject. It is needed!
best,
mindy

Actually a significant difference, I recently discovered, is the temperature range. I have a candy thermometer that only goes down to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. My new "dairy" thermometer starts much, much lower than that. To make mozzarella, you need one that goes down to 85 - 90 degrees. ;o)

Chef Ono , they are not digital.

It makes a difference whether the thermometer is analog or digital. Analog thermometers tend to be most accurate in the center of their scale. Digital thermocouple thermometers should be accurate throughout their entire range.