Cooking the perfect steak is harder than it looks, and it is a big annoyance for typical home cooks when the meat is either overcooked or undercooked. Using a good meat thermometer can eliminate any guesswork in grilling and pan-searing, ensuring you never get an undercooked steak again. We’ll cover the types of meat thermometers suited for steak, recommended temperatures, and their proper uses in this guide, so that you can savor the perfect steak every time.
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Best Meat Thermometer Types for Steak
Choosing the right meat thermometer for steak can make all the difference between a well-cooked steak and one that is either overcooked or undercooked. Here’s a breakdown of the best steak meat thermometer types that would suit you:
1. Instant-Read Thermometers
Instant-read thermometers check steak temperature quickly and accurately in just a few seconds. They’re good for checking the doneness of a steak right on the pan or under the grill.
2. Probe Thermometers
A probe thermometer is meant for long cooks. You stick the probe in the steak at the beginning of cooking, and it stays in while the steak cooks. The temperature can be tracked all through to the end without having to keep smelling. This is great for slow roasting or thicker cuts where precision is quite important.
3. Wireless Meat Thermometers
For precision and convenience, a wireless meat thermometer would let you keep an eye on the steak temperature from a distance. These are great for thicker cuts or if you have your hands full grilling. Long-range capabilities turn these thermometers into a big plus for both grilling and smoking steaks.
4. Digital vs. Analog
Digital thermometers are faster and more accurate. Analog thermometers work without batteries but are slower and harder to read. For steak, a digital meat thermometer is a better choice.
Choose the right kind of thermometer, and you will be able to cook the steaks perfectly every single time with no issues.
Recommended Temperature for Steak Meat Thermometer
A perfect steak means that the carry-out temperature should hit the correct steak internal temperature. Here’s an easy chart for each steak level:
- Rare Steak (120°F-125°F): Rare steak has a cool red center. Heat to 120°F-125°F, removing it from the heat at 115°F, to allow carryover cooking.
- Medium-Rare Steak (130°F-135°F): For medium rare, let your thermometer read 130°F-135°F. Take it from the heat at 125°F and allow it to rest so the carryover can finish cooking.
- Medium Steak (140°F-145°F): Medium steak is white on the outside but pink on the inside. At 140°F-145°F, take it off the heat at 135°F, and that’s when it’s ready to eat.
- Medium-Well Steak (150°F-155°F): Medium-well steaks have a very slight tingling of pink in the center. Reach 150°F-155°F and remove them from the heat at 145°F.
- Well-Done Steak (160°F+): For a well-done steak, reach 160°F. At 155°F, remove your steak and allow it to rest until it reaches its desired temperature.
Tip: Always take your steak off the heat 5°F below your target temperature. That steak will go on cooking after you've taken it off.
How to Use a Meat Thermometer for Steak
Using a meat thermometer for steak is the easiest way to ensure your steak reaches the perfect level of doneness every time. Here is a simple step-by-step process on how to use the meat thermometer for steak successfully:
Prepare Your Steak
Season your steak to taste and then let it rest at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This way, you ensure even cooking.
Insert the Thermometer
To get accurate readings, insert the probe into the thickest part of the steak, avoiding fat and bone. The probe should be inserted horizontally with the tip reaching the middle of the meat.
Check the Temperature
If you use a wireless or digital meat thermometer, check the temperature in the app or on the display. For instant-read thermometers, remove the thermometer after a few seconds to take a reading.
Remove the Steak Appropriately by Temperature
Follow the recommended temperatures for the preferred doneness (130°F–135°F for medium-rare). Remove the steak from the heat a little before it reaches the target temperature, as it will keep on cooking while resting.
Rest the Steak
Let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the heat. This allows the juices to redistribute for a tender, flavorful steak.
Typhur Sync Gold Dual: Best Steak Meat Thermometer
When you truly want to make a perfect steak, the Typhur Sync Gold Dual is definitely the way to go. This steak thermometer carries with it precision, convenience, and is suitable for both grilling and indoor cooking. Some of the reasons why the Typhur Sync Gold Dual is excellent are as follows:
Long Range Wireless Meat Thermometer
- Dual Probes for Precision: Allows for two steaks being measured at the same time or for one probe to measure the steak while the other measures grill temperature.
- Wireless & Long-Range: Moving around 100 ft away from the grill or oven to keep an eye on progress from phone instead of hovering over the grill, that’s the magic wrought by Typhur Sync Gold Dual.
- Smart App Alerts: The app lets users know when their steaks have reached a target temperature or when it is time to rest. This is convenient for multitasking or cooking several steaks simultaneously.
- Reliable & Accurate: This thermometer renders readings with an accuracy of ±0.5°F, and it employs a Sub-1GHz connection such that readings remain firm and free from interference even in long cooks.
The Typhur Sync Gold Dual removes all the guesswork when preparing steaks to satisfaction if you are one with a keen taste for precision. Whether you are grilling, pan-searing, or roasting, doing so will ensure the steaks are always done perfectly.
FAQs about Steak Meat Thermometers
To get an accurate reading, insert the probe into the thickest part of the steak, ideally near the center. Avoid placing the probe in areas with fat, as fat doesn’t cook at the same rate as meat and can give you inaccurate readings.
While a steak meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check steak doneness, you can use the finger test method as a rough estimate. Press the steak gently with your finger—if it feels firm and has no give, it’s well done.
Yes, absolutely! A meat thermometer is ideal for grilling, particularly when you’re cooking steaks, burgers, or larger cuts of meat that need precise temperature control.
Yes, you can use the same thermometer for steak, chicken, and pork, as long as it’s properly cleaned between uses. To avoid cross-contamination, clean the probe thoroughly with warm soapy water or disinfectant wipes after each use.
Summary
Meat thermometers are a steak cookers’ tool to get the perfect steak done each time. The thermometer takes away the uncertainty between cooks: Rare, medium, or well-done. From choosing what kind of thermometer to bring to realizing the optimum cooking temperature, a steak meat thermometer will always produce consistent and tasty results.
For those in search of convenience, the Typhur Sync Gold Dual allows wireless monitoring, has two probes, and gives precise readings, making it apt for all steak lovers. You can now cook steaks perfectly with a thermometer in hand.
