We needed a new thermometer for our Kamado Joe JoeTisserie grilling adventures.

Check out our JoeTisserie review here.

That cheaply made no-name housewares not-so-instant read thermometer from the local big box emporium was just that — a cheaply made housewares thermometer.

ThermoWorks Instant Read Thermometer

We left our old no-name not-so-instant read meat thermometer outside overnight.

Too much stuff going on over the weekend, you’all know the drill! It was one of those dewy nights were everything had a nice fresh coat of water in the morning.

As a result, the temperature display now had a segment that wouldn’t work?

I wasn’t really sure how accurate our no-name not-so-instant read meat thermometer was anyway!? It did read somewhat close to my old faithful Maverick RediChek ET-733 dual probe thermometer. So it was probably accurate enough for backyard grilling. Don’t tell the Food Police!

Instant Read Thermometer Shopping

We had been looking at the ThermoWorks ThermoPop instant read thermometer for a while.

Consequently, I did my usual price comparisons and read the customer reviews on Amazon. The troubling part was the Amazon prices were much higher than what was advertised on the ThermoWorks web site.

That made no sense!?

It didn’t take long reading through several of the customer reviews and the questions and answers to figure out why. These ThermoPop instant read thermometers were being sold through resellers and not through ThermoWorks.

Lesson learned, do your homework first! Research and review what other folks are saying about the product AND the vendor!

Hence, I clicked my way back over to the ThermoWorks website and placed my order for the ThermoPop instant-read thermometer. In no time, I had the confirmation email and even a tracking number!

Yippee! I couldn’t wait!

Instant Read Thermometer – First Impression

The box was here in no time. I was following the tracking number all the way to the house. It was almost like Christmas time, I was eager to get this baby and try it out. Below is a picture of the one I ordered. It is a really nice lightweight unit with a handy protective sleeve to protect the temperature sensor for when it’s not in use.

ThermoPop Instant Read Thermometer Feature Review

Pro – Awesome customer service.

The ThermoPop can be set to either Celsius or Fahrenheit. Ours was preset for Fahrenheit. That setting can be changed with a button located on the back.

Pro – Can be set for Celsius or Fahrenheit

The ThermoWorks folks say the ThermoPop instant-read thermometer will provide a reading in 3 to 4 seconds. In my backyard grilling tests, I would agree with this.

I did try to time the readings. Fumbling around with my smartphone timer as I was trying to get a temperature reading didn’t work out so well. You know, insert the temperature probe, look at the ThermoPop and wait, then look back at the phone timer.

Repeat!

The bottom line is that the 3 to 4 second reading is accurate.

Pro – Fast 3 – 4 second temperature readings.

One feature of the ThermoPop instant-read thermometer is the rotating display. You can press a button on the rear of the unit, and it will rotate 90 degrees. Nice feature, I don’t think that I will find it all that useful for my own grilling.

Neither Pro nor Con – Rotating display.

However, I don’t think the unit is waterproof to the point that it can be submerged in water. So could you leave it sit out next to your grill if rain is in the forecast? If you enjoy firing up the grill or smoker all year long like I do, in sunny, rainy, or snowy conditions — then I will leave this in my pocket. The unit is somewhat water resistant; ThermoWorks does rate the ThermoPop as having an internal protection factor of IP66. An IP66 rating means the unit is totally protected against dust, and heavy water spray for at least 3 minutes.

Pro – water resistant

ThermoPop Instant Read Thermometer Technical Review

Here, we look at the product technical specifications and features you won’t find on those no-name not-so-instant read thermometers.

First, the ThermoPop instant read thermometer features a reduced tip size, so it reaches the temperature of what you’re measuring quickly — in 3 to 4 seconds.

Looking at the all-important probe range temperatures — it will measure -58 to 572 °F (-50 to 300 °C) within 1° degree of resolution over the full range.

The operating range of the ThermoPop is 32 to 122 °F (0 to 50 °C). Most, if not all, of our grilling and smoking adventures are within this range. However, a few times we have grilled out in below 32 °F (0 °C).

There is an auto-off feature; the probe will turn itself off after 10 minutes of inactivity.

It uses easy to find and easy to replace CR2032 3-volt lithium coin-type battery.

Finally, it has an IP rating of IP66. See below for an explanation of those ratings.

Instant Read Thermometer Outcome

Overall, I don’t see any drawbacks after using this ThermoPop instant read thermometer after a few weekends of grilling. I get nearly instant feedback on the internal temperature of what’s on the grill or smoker.

If you’re shopping around for an instant read thermometer, click here to check out the ThermoWorks ThermoPop instant read thermometer and give it a try.

IP Ratings Summary

The IP67 and IP68 standard consists of the letters IP followed by two digits and an optional letter.

The first digit after IP specifies the resistance or capacity to deal with solids, like dust and sand.

Next, the second digit states the level of resistance to fresh water. With the current IP standard, there are maximum 6 levels of protection from dust and 8 levels of protection from fresh water.

IP Ratings First Digit

IP Ratings Second Digit

The second digit after the IP specifies the level of resistance to fresh water.

In terms of dust resistance, both IP67 and IP68 ratings (level 6) are the same. Both are fully protected from dust, much like a completely sealed box.

But, there is a difference in terms of water resistance. Under IP67, the consumer device is protected against the damages and the effects of immersion in fresh water up to a depth of maximum 1 meter for 30 minutes. Under IP68 the device is protected against the effects of continued immersion in fresh water for depth greater than a meter. For IP68, the exact conditions are specified by the manufacturer of the device.

Chances are that there isn’t a consumer-grade instant-read thermometer with an IP67 or IP68 rating.

Check out my other Kamado Joe and JoeTisserie recipes and links here on my Outdoor Eats page.