New to all this charcoal talk, can someone explain to me the thermapen?

Plaid Palace · 11-21-2012, 12:00 PM

I looked it up but there were several different kinds it looked like. How is it used? How is it better than a meat thermometer?

I am getting a Kamado Joe soon and wondering if I need to invest in a thermapen with my purchase of a KJ.

LMAJ · 11-21-2012, 12:05 PM

Thermapens are instant read thermometers... Blue is the fastest!!
These are not to be left in the cooker - just for a quick temp check.
Do you NEED one... no - but it's a great gift idea.

bmonkman · 11-21-2012, 12:05 PM

It is a meat thermometer - just a pretty damn fast and accurate one.

bmonkman · 11-21-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMAJ

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault

Love your tagline LMAJ.

Bluesman · 11-21-2012, 12:08 PM

As for other opinions, which are just that. Red is by far THE FASTEST. Do you need one? Fark Yes!!!!!!! Nothing aids in your cooking than that of a Thermapen..oh and booze. Lots of booze. Jus sayin'

gtr · 11-21-2012, 12:14 PM

Thermapens are great because they are fast and accurate, which is especially good for outdoor cooking because you don't want to leave your cooker open very long when checking temps and have too much heat escaping.

And all that talk about which color is fastest is total nonsense - it doesn't matter what color they are - that is if you get the black or orange ones, anyway - the other ones are much slower and less accurate.

Fo Sizzle My Nizzle · 11-21-2012, 12:14 PM

As far as smoking, my flaming fast thermapen (fastest) has served as nothing more than a fancy object to thrust into meat to see if its probing like butter. Total waste but it looks cool.

But...

As far as grilling goes and even stovetop, it's been a great investment. I'm not a trained chef with years of experience that allows me to touch a piece of meat to feel if its done. Since I've had my thermapen, all my other non-smoked meats have yet to be overcooked and dry.

fingerlickin' · 11-21-2012, 12:17 PM

A thermapen is a nice addition to you bbq arsenal, although if I were getting a kamado joe, one of the things I would buy (or add to a Christmas list) before a thermapen would be a

Maverick ET732

remote thermometer.

I use my thermapen mostly for checking doneness in smaller cuts of meat and probing for doneness on butts, brisket and the like. Although, with the Maverick you can monitor your pit temps and your meat temps remotely while you are in your living room or even better your bedroom sleeping soundly, or whatever else you do in there.

You can set separate alarms for each that will alert you when your meat is done or you cooking temps go above or below your desired temps. I say put them both on your Christmas list.

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · 11-21-2012, 12:20 PM

The speed is important to not keeping the lid open very long so your fire doesn't flare up as much while you are checking temps.

The small tip creates a much smaller hole from which juices can escape.

Cost more than it really should, but worth more than it costs.

bmonkman · 11-21-2012, 12:24 PM

Sorry guys - but the Maple Leaf Thermapen smokes all other versions.

Just sayin". Oh Canada!!!!!

PatioDaddio · 11-21-2012, 01:15 PM

FYI - I reviewed it here last year.

John

Jaskew82 · 11-21-2012, 01:26 PM

You do NOT NEED one. They are useful but I find them to be inaccurate in high pressure cooking (hot). Low and slow tends to be very accurate.

Corky · 11-21-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmonkman

Sorry guys - but the Maple Leaf Thermapen smokes all other versions.

Just sayin". Oh Canada!!!!!

That one can get a bit sappy. Stick with the fastest color - blue . If it matches your Performer color that enables it to be even faster.

bmonkman · 11-21-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corky

That one can get a bit sappy. Stick with the fastest color - blue . If it matches your Performer color that enables it to be even faster.

Snort.

1911Ron · 11-21-2012, 02:36 PM

What ever you do DON'T ask CD

11-21-2012, 12:00 PM	#1
Plaid Palace On the road to being a farker Join Date: 11-16-12 Location: Birmingham, AL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New to all this charcoal talk, can someone explain to me the thermapen? I looked it up but there were several different kinds it looked like. How is it used? How is it better than a meat thermometer? I am getting a Kamado Joe soon and wondering if I need to invest in a thermapen with my purchase of a KJ.

11-21-2012, 12:05 PM	#2
LMAJ Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-01-07 Location: Southeastern Pa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thermapens are instant read thermometers... Blue is the fastest!! These are not to be left in the cooker - just for a quick temp check. Do you NEED one... no - but it's a great gift idea. __________________ L-M Official Pennsylvania MOINK Ball maker 1 Large BGE - 7/5/08 1 Large BGE and table - 8/29/12 1 18.5 new to me WSM Super Fast BLUE and RED Thermapen 1 - The Great Outdoors Smoker Sea Bug cooker 1 - Fantastic hubby - the original Big Al _______________________________________ Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault

11-21-2012, 12:05 PM	#3
bmonkman Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-04-12 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It is a meat thermometer - just a pretty damn fast and accurate one. __________________ Weber Performer w/smokenator WSM 22.5" White Thermapen Ex-pat Canadian When all else fails just ask yourself, WWGALD???

11-21-2012, 12:08 PM	#5
Bluesman is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-01-10 Location: Fond du Lac, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	As for other opinions, which are just that. Red is by far THE FASTEST. Do you need one? Fark Yes!!!!!!! Nothing aids in your cooking than that of a Thermapen..oh and booze. Lots of booze. Jus sayin' __________________ "98" Green Weber Performer "95" Black Weber Platinum - Dumpster find workin' on it "00" Weber Simpsons OTG 22.5 WSM Smokin' Bucky UDS Weber Q100 Weber Q200 Faster than the Speed of Light Red Thermapen, Certified MOINK Ball Maker Proud Member of the Zero's Club with Voodoo Soup..

11-21-2012, 12:14 PM	#6
gtr Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-16-10 Location: Culver City, CA Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Thermapens are great because they are fast and accurate, which is especially good for outdoor cooking because you don't want to leave your cooker open very long when checking temps and have too much heat escaping. And all that talk about which color is fastest is total nonsense - it doesn't matter what color they are - that is if you get the black or orange ones, anyway - the other ones are much slower and less accurate. __________________ 50" Klose BYC, Backwoods Chubby, UDS, 26" & 22.5" Weber Kettles, Jumbo Joe, WGA, WSJ/MUDS, Jumbo Old Smokey, Pig Hibachi, a piece of expanded metal I throw over the fire pit sometimes, Stealthy Black & Vol Orange Thermapens Displaced East Tennesseean Proud recipient of a Tick Former outlaw MOINK baller, now IMBAS Certified, but still lookin' over my shoulder. Golden Goose Egg - Got 2 in the nest baby! SPFP Mayzie's keeping an eye out for you! WTFWGALD?

11-21-2012, 12:14 PM	#7
Fo Sizzle My Nizzle is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-09-12 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	As far as smoking, my flaming fast thermapen (fastest) has served as nothing more than a fancy object to thrust into meat to see if its probing like butter. Total waste but it looks cool. But... As far as grilling goes and even stovetop, it's been a great investment. I'm not a trained chef with years of experience that allows me to touch a piece of meat to feel if its done. Since I've had my thermapen, all my other non-smoked meats have yet to be overcooked and dry. __________________ WSM 22 ~ Maverick ET-732 ~ Flaming Fast Thermapen ~ Redhead Weber SS Performer ~ Redhead Weber 22 OTS ~ Redhead Weber 22 OTS ~ Redhead Weber 22 OTPlus When all else fails just ask yourself, WWGALD???

11-21-2012, 12:17 PM	#8
fingerlickin' Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-08-10 Location: Boyertown, PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A thermapen is a nice addition to you bbq arsenal, although if I were getting a kamado joe, one of the things I would buy (or add to a Christmas list) before a thermapen would be a Maverick ET732 Maverick ET732 remote thermometer. I use my thermapen mostly for checking doneness in smaller cuts of meat and probing for doneness on butts, brisket and the like. Although, with the Maverick you can monitor your pit temps and your meat temps remotely while you are in your living room or even better your bedroom sleeping soundly, or whatever else you do in there. You can set separate alarms for each that will alert you when your meat is done or you cooking temps go above or below your desired temps. I say put them both on your Christmas list. __________________ Jason "I can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking my head up a bull's a$$, but I'd rather take a butcher's word for it". - Tommy Callahan III XL Big Green Egg, 22.5 Weber OTS, WSJ Gold/Mini WSM, 18" & 22" WSM Flyers Orange Thermapen WAEFAY...WWGALD???

11-21-2012, 12:20 PM	#9
HeSmellsLikeSmoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-02-07 Location: Warren, Vermont Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The speed is important to not keeping the lid open very long so your fire doesn't flare up as much while you are checking temps. The small tip creates a much smaller hole from which juices can escape. Cost more than it really should, but worth more than it costs. __________________ Jim - Another transplanted Texan Former KCBS CBJ Large and Medium Big Green Eggs , Black 18.5" WSM, Blue Weber Performer - Stainless, Green Weber OTG Kettle , Brinkmann SnP Pro, and a Stainless UDS. One retired Portable Kitchen grill. Red Thermapen, Maverick ET-73, EdgePro Apex Sharpener. Avatar is the original 1951 Weber Kettle

11-21-2012, 12:24 PM	#10
bmonkman Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-04-12 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sorry guys - but the Maple Leaf Thermapen smokes all other versions. Just sayin". Oh Canada!!!!! __________________ Weber Performer w/smokenator WSM 22.5" White Thermapen Ex-pat Canadian When all else fails just ask yourself, WWGALD???

11-21-2012, 01:15 PM	#11
PatioDaddio Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-04-08 Location: Boise, Idaho Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	FYI - I reviewed it here last year. John

11-21-2012, 01:26 PM	#12
Jaskew82 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-20-11 Location: Airmont, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You do NOT NEED one. They are useful but I find them to be inaccurate in high pressure cooking (hot). Low and slow tends to be very accurate. __________________ Hillside BBQ 2013 Stumps Classic - Delivered 4/15/13 Large BGE - Rescued 2012 2010 WSM 22.5" 2010 Weber genesis gas grill Rescued 22.5 Weber One-touch gold Yellow Thermopen BBQ Guru CyberQ 2011 Built UDS - Retired

11-21-2012, 02:36 PM	#15
1911Ron is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-09-12 Location: Ft. Mudge, Az Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What ever you do DON'T ask CD __________________ It all started with a Redhead! 22" Redhead OTS 22" Blue OTS22" Grey 3 wheeler, Ethel (62-63) 18" Grey 3 wheeler18" Black OTS X2 18" Black Jumbo Joe,Mini-WSM,Smokey Joe 22" Blue Platinum OTP,22" Black OTG (on sale for $99) British Racing Green Thermapen More grilling stuff than what i know what to do with