Can You Use an Oven Thermometer on a Grill | 5 Types of Grill Thermometer

Yes, you can use an oven thermometer on a grill. You can use these thermometers on a BBQ grill too. Set an oven thermometer on the same shelf as the dish you’re preparing to get the most out of it. 

Many people consider using an oven thermometer in a grill to be a must-do item on their to-do list. If you don’t know how to use an oven thermometer on a grill, don’t worry. To ensure that these oven thermometers work properly, they come with instructions. They also come with a clip for attaching them to other items like poultry or meat.

Can You Use an Oven Thermometer on a Grill

An oven thermometer is a tool for checking the temperature of an oven and comparing the readout to the temperature set on the oven dial. The goal is to have more control over cooking and avoid burning or overcooking food. It also comes with a safety feature. An oven thermometer will notify you when your stove is too hot. 

Food temperature should be monitored on a regular basis to avoid germs. It should be controlled to maintain food quality as well as to prevent deterioration of food. So, the temperature of the grill is very crucial. And an oven thermometer can ease the process.

What Kind of Thermometer Do You Use for Grilling

The best kind of thermometer would be the one that provides you with the correct reading of the internal temperature of the food you are cooking. With the right thermometer, you will no longer have to cut the food to see if it’s done. You can use different kinds of thermometers for grilling. 

Instant-read Grill Thermometers

They’re usually small and handheld, with a digital display. Once the probe is put into the food, it provides a quick and precise reading.

Laser Surface Grill Thermometers

Without having to directly touch the foods, laser surface grill thermometers use an infrared laser to monitor the surface temperature of food, heating components, and cookware. However, you can’t check internal food temperatures with these thermometers. 

Wireless Grill Thermometers

A remote probe thermometer can be left in the food with wireless grill thermometers. It connects to a linked mobile device through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to give regular temperature updates no matter where the grill cook occurs.

You don’t even have to hover over the grill while you wait if you use a wireless grill thermometer. Instead, as you wait inside or enjoy your outside BBQ (Barbecue) guests, your thermometer will tell you when the food is done.

Grill Surface Thermometers

Grill surface thermometers are primarily used to keep track of the grill’s current cooking temperature. They’re essential for smoking meat and other dishes since the temperature must be controlled by keeping the lid closed when smoking.

Meat Thermometer

If you want to grill a delicious piece of meat, you must use a meat thermometer. You won’t have to guess whether your meat is done or slice into it before it’s ready if you use a thermometer. To get an accurate temperature reading, put the thermometer through the side of the meat.

How Do I Measure the Temperature of My Grill

Some grills have a built-in thermometer. You will easily figure out what temperature the grill is burning at. As your grill heats up, it will automatically display the temperature. Even if there is no thermometer with the grill, you can use the grill surface thermometer mentioned above.

But what if you don’t have any thermometer? In that case, you should go for the hand test technique. It is an effective way to know the grill surface temperature.

Hand Test Technique

For this technique, first, you will have to figure out how long you can keep your palm above the burning grill without feeling the fire. To get an accurate result, your palm must be 3 inches above the grill. 

Low

If you can keep your hand in the recommended position for 7-9 seconds, then the grill temperature is low. The thermometer will give a 250° F to 300° F reading. If you are cooking foods that require gentle cooking, this temperature is perfect for it.

Medium-Low

If you can keep your hand above the grill for 6-7 seconds, then the temperature is medium-low. The temperature is 300° F to 350° F. This temperature is also ideal for gentle cooking.

Medium

In this case, you can’t keep your hands above the grill for more than 4-5 secs. Otherwise, there will be a scorching effect on your skin. The temperature should be between 350° F to 400° F. With this temperature, you can easily cook the internal parts without burning the exterior.

Medium-High

The thermometer gives the reading between 400° F and 450° F. You can place your hand for 2-4 seconds only. Cooking the interior of foods is easier with this temperature.

High

You can do the hand testing technique for 1 or 2 seconds only. Your food will be cooked in a flash! The thermometer reading will be 450° F to 500° F. This temperature level should be used for cooking foods that require a lot of heat for both external and internal cooking.

Is the Grill Temp the Same as the Oven

Your backyard grill can achieve temperatures considerably higher than your oven would ever reach when left to heat with the lid closed. It will easily reach 500 degrees and can continue to increase to 700 degrees. 

Of course, you must keep an eye on the flame, which should not become too hot, but these high temperatures are what make your grill produce stand-out dishes. However, you cannot expect your kitchen oven to even get close to that; at most, it will reach 550 degrees. 

Can You Put Meat Thermometer in Grill

Yes, you can put a meat thermometer on the grill. When you are using a leave-in meat thermometer, put the thermometer at least 2 inches into the center of the uncooked meat’s thickest portion or largest muscles. The thermometer should not come into contact with any bone, fat, or pan. That would cause an incorrect result.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are oven thermometers?

If your oven thermometer isn’t accurate, it’s useless. Thankfully, most of the renowned oven thermometers have their designs tested for accuracy and can read temperatures from 100 to 600 deg. F. That means it’s safe to use in high-temperature cooking.

How do I know when the grill is ready?

Before adding any food to the grill, make sure it’s nice and hot. Cover the grill with the lid after lighting it and allow the charcoal to heat up for at least fifteen minutes. When it seems ashy and gray, you’ll know it’s ready.

Conclusion

Cooking using an accurate oven thermometer helps you to keep track of the food’s internal temperature without having to slice it. You’ll also know what temperature your food should be cooked at. 

So, you can use an oven thermometer on a grill. But you have to make sure that you get thermometers with a temperature range of 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can get some accuracy in the sweet spot!