The best probe thermometer

By Michael Sullivan

This post was done in partnership with The Sweethome, a buyer’s guide to the best homewares. When readers choose to buy The Sweethome’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

After spending 12 hours testing probe thermometers and speaking with experts—including cookbook authors, chefs, butchers, and a New York City Department of Health employee—we think most cooks just need a regular meat thermometer. But if you’re set on getting a probe thermometer to measure the temperature of food while it cooks, we recommend the ThermoWorks Dot. In our tests, the Dot was the fastest and most accurate at reading temperatures. Its simple design and straightforward controls made it easier to use than the competition.

How we picked and tested

After testing 11 probe thermometers for this guide, we think the ThermoWorks Dot (center) is the best for most people. Photo: Caroline Enos

A good probe thermometer should quickly and accurately give a temperature reading so that you know when your food, particularly meat and poultry, is safe to eat. It should have a wide temperature range to accommodate both oven and grill use, and it should be intuitive to operate. Longer probes will ensure that you’re reaching the thickest part of large roasts, or the bottom of a saucepan for frying or for making candy.

For this guide, we tested 11 probe thermometers with temperature ranges between –58 ºF and 572 ºF and probe cables that can resist up to 712 ºF. We looked at three main types:

• Basic thermometers with a single probe that display readings on a digital unit
• Dual-channel thermometers that have two probes (one for taking the internal temperature of the meat and another for reading the ambient cooking temperature) and display readings on a digital unit
• Remote probe thermometers that display readings on battery-operated wireless receivers or through smartphone apps via Bluetooth

To check the accuracy of the thermometers, we inserted their probes into a ceramic mug filled with ice water (32 °F), which is what most manufacturers recommend for proper calibration. We also tested the probes in a pot of boiling water (212 °F) and in a stockpot of 130 °F water maintained by a sous vide circulator. We timed how long each thermometer took to register the correct temperatures.

To test the durability of the probe cables at high temperatures, we used our finalists in a screaming-hot, 650 °F to 700 °F grill. After our initial round of testing, we used the remaining contenders to monitor the temperature of oven-baked chicken pieces to get a feel for their usability.

We also evaluated the strength of the magnets on the back of the digital receivers to see how well they could stay attached to the side of an oven or grill, and measured the distance from which remote probe thermometers could function before losing their wireless connection.

Our pick: ThermoWorks Dot

Our pick for the best probe thermometer is the ThermoWorks Dot. Photo: Caroline Enos

We recommend the affordably priced ThermoWorks Dot probe thermometer for its impressive accuracy and ability to read temperatures quickly. Compared with the others we tested, it was the easiest thermometer to use, thanks to its simple, intuitive design and large digital display. The Dot’s wide temperature range makes it ideal for both oven and grill use, and its strong magnet kept it securely attached to the side of our oven. The Dot also had one of the longest cables—about 48 inches—of the models we tested, and its 4½-inch probe will have no problem reading the internal temperature of large roasts.

In our tests, the Dot was the fastest thermometer to read temperatures accurately. On average, it was able to read 32 °F in about 8.5 seconds and 212 °F in about 5.5 seconds. Its thermistor sensor has an impressively wide temperature range of –58 °F to 572 °F (and a cable that can withstand 700 °F for short periods). The Dot was one of only three tested models that were accurate to the degree in a stockpot of 130 °F water maintained by a sous vide circulator.

The ThermoWorks Dot doesn’t come with a metal clip that attaches the probe to the side of a saucepan for tasks such as frying or candy making, but all ThermoWorks accessories (including probe clips, grate clips, and air probes) are sold separately. It also comes with a two-year warranty, and the probe is replaceable. The Dot lacks a backlight and a timer, but with everything else the Dot has going for it, we didn’t feel these omissions were dealbreakers.

Also great: ThermoWorks ChefAlarm and Smoke

For probe thermometers with more features, we suggest getting ThermoWorks’s Smoke (left) or ChefAlarm (right). Photo: Caroline Enos

If you want more features, such as a backlit screen and volume adjustment, we recommend two other models by ThermoWorks, the ChefAlarm and the Smoke. Both thermometers were very accurate in our tests, and both have longer probes than our main pick, but we found that they were slightly slower at reading temperatures. They both offer the same impressive temperature range as the Dot, from –58 °F to 572 °F for the probe and up to 700 °F for the cable.

In our tests the ChefAlarm took a couple of seconds longer than the Dot to read temperatures, but it was just as accurate. The timer on this model is a nice addition (it can handle countdowns as long as 99 hours, 59 minutes), and the backlit screen is handy for outdoor grilling at night. The ChefAlarm also allows you to set the minimum and maximum temperatures, which have corresponding alarms to alert you when they’re reached. The two strong magnets on the back of the unit keep it in place when attached to the side of an oven or grill; the digital unit is also hinged, so you can lay it flat or adjust it to a specific angle. However, in spite of the ChefAlarm’s various benefits, we think most people will be fine with our pick.

Like the ChefAlarm, the Smoke has a backlit screen and volume control. But in contrast with our other picks, the Smoke can operate via a wireless receiver and has two channels to accommodate multiple probes: one probe to take the internal temperature of the meat, and an air probe for measuring the ambient temperature of the oven, grill, or smoker. The Smoke also allows you to set the minimum and maximum temperatures for each probe, which sound corresponding alarms when the set temperatures are reached. In our tests, the Smoke maintained its wireless connection for an unobstructed distance of 350 feet. We don’t think you need these features, but if you really want them, the Smoke was the best model we tested that offers them. Considering that this thermometer is also $60 more than the Dot, we think the Smoke makes sense only for grill and smoker enthusiasts.

Coincidentally, all of our picks are manufactured by ThermoWorks. They were far and away the best thermometers we tested. None of the other models compared with our picks in terms of speed, accuracy, and ease of use.

This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Sweethome: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

A personal skyscraper, tech magnate’s mansion, and more of the biggest houses ever

In our supersized culture, as we’ve become bloated so too have our homes. In 1973, the size of an average American residence was 1,400 square feet. This number has nearly doubled in the last four decades. However, there are outliers, and peppered conspicuously across the planet are an amalgam of enormous mansions on sprawling estates packed with amenities most of us could only dream of owning. From million-dollar manors to a billion dollar skyscraper, you could feasibly win the lottery multiple times and still not be able to afford these homes. So without further ado, sit back, relax — perhaps try out your best Robin Leach impersonation — and enjoy the gawk-worthy sight that is the biggest house in the world (and six runner ups).

If home design and architecture pique your interests, you may also enjoy our articles on the best transforming homes and our roundup of the best interior design apps.

Bruce Makowsky

Antilia — Mumbai, India

With a net worth of more than $30 billion, Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in India and one of the wealthiest humans on Earth. The oil and gas tycoon can also boast about owning the world’s largest and most expensive private residence. The $2 billion home known as Antilia — because, as you’ll notice, naming your home is apparently a thing for the uber-wealthy — is a towering, 27-story skyscraper situated in downtown Mumbai.

Ambani worked with architecture firms Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Associates to build his personal skyscraper. Standing 550-feet high and hosting 400,000 square feet of living space, the entire project took more than four years to complete. To prevent repeating architectural elements, no two floors are identical in either floor plan or building material. The overall structure is based on Vaastu, an Indian architectural philosophy that’s similar to the Chinese Feng shui tradition. Nine elevators carry individuals throughout the massive complex, and the top floors of Antilia offer panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.

Xanadu 2.0 — Medina, Washington

We’ve covered Bill Gates’ Washington home before, and the 66,000-square-foot complex remains one of the largest homes on the planet. Bill Gates recently topped Forbes’ list of the richest humans on the planet — a title he has claimed for 18 of the past 23 years. The Microsoft co-founder is worth a cool $90 billion, and just to put that ungodly sum of money in perspective, that total would rank just ahead of the projected 2017 nominal gross domestic product of Ukraine. Needless to say, with a regular war chest of money to burn through, Gates spared no expense when it came to constructing his primary estate.

The home, dubbed Xanadu 2.0, is named after the fictional estate of title character in Citizen Kane. The home took seven years to construct and is worth roughly $124 million today. As you can imagine, the home of the former Microsoft CEO is loaded with high-end technology. For starters, guests have the option to wear a sensor-equipped pin when they arrive at Xanadu 2.0. This device transmits a signal to relay personal preferential settings as the individual moves about the house, allowing the home to cater to each persons’ temperature and lighting proclivities. There are also more than $80,000 worth of computer display systems throughout the home, and some of these screens encompass entire walls, enabling guests to change the artwork in a given room with the touch of a button.

The house has 24 bathrooms, six kitchens, and a 2,100-square-foot library that houses more than $30 million worth of original manuscripts. The ceiling of the room recants one of the more popular lines from The Great Gatsby: “He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.”

Fellow Microsoft cofounder, Paul Allen, recently unveiled the largest airplane on Earth. Your move, Bill.

Billionaire — Los Angeles, California

Home developer and entrepreneur Bruce Makowsky is the mastermind behind this 38,000-square-foot property ostentatiously known as the Billionaire. When developing this property and others like it, Makowsky articulated his ambitions and inspirations in a not-so-humble brag:

“After spending lots of time on mega yachts and large private jets that can sell from $50 million to $500 million, it baffled me that no one was developing luxury real estate at those high levels for the super wealthy. I set up my real estate development company in Beverly Hills, California, to cater to the super affluent that demand the very best in life!!!”

Situated in the heart of Bel Air, the property recently made waves when it was listed with a price tag of $250 million. The complex features 21 bathrooms, a helipad, a bowling alley, an infinity pool overlooking the city, and 10 “oversized and VIP” guest suites — whatever that means.

Palazzo di Amore — Los Angeles, California

The Palazzo di Amore is a 53,000-square-foot home situated in Beverly Hills, one that encompasses more than 25 acres. Once guests have bypassed security and the entry gates, they can then cruise along the estate’s quarter-mile driveway, enjoying exceptional views of the manicured hillside and the extensive Palazzo di Amore vineyard.

This vineyard produces between 400 and 500 cases of wine annually, including but not limited to Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot, Rose, and Sauvignon Blanc. Some of the bottles and other imports are kept in a 10,000-bottle wine cellar, and can be enjoyed in a decadent tasting room. The massive home includes 21 bedrooms and 23 bathrooms, and at nearly 5,000 square feet, the master suite is larger than most mere mortals’ entire homes.

The Manor — Los Angeles, California

The Manor, as it is known, is situated in the affluent Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. The five-acre property was originally designed in 1988 for Candy and Aaron Spelling, and is often commonly referred to as simply “Candyland.”

At nearly 57,000 square feet, Candyland is 1,500 square feet larger than the White House. The 123 rooms inside include everything from a dedicated flower-cutting room and bowling alley to a humidity-controlled space designed to house the owner’s silver. The French, chateau-style home is valued at $200 million and is currently owned by Petra Stunt, the daughter of Bernie Ecclestone. The property recently changed hands, however, as part of an all-cash deal.

Villa Leopolda — The French Riviera

Constructed more than a century ago, Villa Leopolda is brimming with history as well as extravagance. The 50-acre estate, situated in the French Riviera, was originally constructed by King Leopold II of Belgium and was later bestowed upon one of his mistresses as a gift. Inside there are 11 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, as well as a commercial greenhouse. The home was used as a military hospital during World War I and has made appearances in several films over the years, including The Red Shoes and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, To Catch a Thief. In 2008, a Russian oligarch purchased the property for a modest $750 million.

Updown Court — Surrey England

Located in the English town of Surrey, Updown Court is larger than both the Buckingham Palace and Hampton Court Palace combined. The mansion’s 50,000-square-foot interior includes 22 bedrooms, 27 bathrooms, a 50-seat movie theater, and five pools. In pure conspicuous consumption nature, the mansion even flaunts a heated marble driveway that cost a cool $6 million. The home also has a panic room to safeguard the idle rich in the event of catastrophe, class warfare, or general self-induced paranoia. Developer Leslie Allen-Vercoe originally purchased the 58-acre property in 2002; however, Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) eventually took over the estate once Allen-Vercoe defaulted on the high-price — read: $80 million — mortgage.

Give the Bibo Barmaid 20 seconds, and it will make you a cocktail

Why it matters to you

If you’ve ever gotten annoyed at having to make drink after drink at one of your parties, this machine will solve your problem.

If you’re going to make rum punch, the recipe might call for several kinds of juices and a couple types of rum. Or you might just skip all the complication and use a flavor pouch anda rum pouch, if you’re using the Bibo Barmaid, a smart cocktail machine that spits out your drink in 20 seconds. All you need to do is maybe do a bit of shaking, and add garnish.

Digital Trends got a demo of the machine at the 2017 International Home and Housewares Show. Such drinks as appletinis, margaritas, and mai tais come with all the non-alcoholic ingredients premixed in a foil pouch. And now, the alcoholic pouches — a new addition as of July — have been introduced and licensed exclusively by Claremont Distilled Spirits. The New Jersey-based spirits makers will be providing the booze you need to make your beverages. If the drinks sound female-friendly, that’s because the Bibo is currently aimed at women who entertain frequently — though the ability to make beer cocktails is in the works. The cucumber melon drink was refreshing and a bit sweet; the cucumber taste definitely came through and didn’t taste artificial.

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The machine has a reservoir in the back that holds enough water for eight drinks. The top of the Bibo lifts up, and that’s where you put the pouch. An RFID reader scans the pouch to determine what kind it is, then mixes the proper amount of water for the drink. When switching between drinks, you can hit a button to rinse out the machine, and the pouch holder lifts out, so you can clean that as well.

Most of the magic seems to be in the pouches themselves — the flavor packets have fresh ingredients and a shelf-life of six months, whereas the alcohol packets ought to last, well, as long as liquor lasts. But if you wanted to try and bypass the RFID reader and just mix a cocktail with the packet, some water, and your choice of liquor, there doesn’t seem to be way to do that currently.

You can buy the Bibo for $200, and a 12-pack of non-recyclable pouches retails for $20. Between the pouch and the alcohol, you’re looking at $3 to $4 a drink, said Walker. That’s pricier than a DIY dark and stormy but less than you’ll pay at the bar. The real benefit, Walker says, is that at your next party, your guests can make their own drinks, leaving you with more time to socialize.

Buy Bibo Barmaid now from:

Amazon Best Buy

Update: Claremont Distilled Spirits is now providing alcoholic pouches for the Bibo Barmaid. 

Best new songs to stream: Grizzly Bear, Sylvan Esso, and more

Every week, there are thousands of new songs hitting the airwaves — and it’s just too much for your two ears to handle. With all those options, you can’t be wasting your time on tracks that deserve a thumbs-down click — you want the best new songs to stream now.

But don’t worry, we’re going to save you the hassle. We listen to some of the most-hyped and interesting songs each week, and tell you which are worthy of your precious listening time.

Here are our top five songs to stream this week. And don’t forget to subscribe to our Spotify page for a playlist of our weekly picks, which can also be found at the bottom of this post. Not sure which streaming service is best for you? Check out our post about the best music streaming services to better weigh your options.

Grizzly Bear — Neighbors

Grizzly Bear‘s much-anticipated fifth album, Painted Ruins, comes out August 18, but the band has slowly been releasing lead singles to fans over the past few months. The latest, Neighbors, is a swirling wall of sound with punchy drumbeats and acoustic and electric guitars — a head-bobbing tune that will keep you coming back to unpeel it’s many layers.

Sylvan Esso — Die Young (Echo Mountain Session)

Though they made a name for themselves as an electronic duo, Sylvan Esso recently expanded their popular new single Die Young by bringing in a full band for an Echo Mountain Session. The addition of saxophone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, and two background vocalists results in a gorgeous live arrangement. The accompanying live video shows the band laying down the track in the studio.

Big Thief — Mary (live on KCRW)

There’s a deep well of passion behind this recent Big Thief performance on California’s KCRW radio, with lead singer Adrianne Lenker building her soft vocal performance to a spit-laced scream about three-quarters of the way through. Fast-paced lyrics are held together by a slow and powerful groove.

Action Bronson — The Chairman’s Intent

Rapper Action Bronson‘s latest music video places the bearded lyricist in the center of a classic ’70s Kung fu film, where he sports a hilarious blond ponytail. The song is just as interesting as the video, with a lo-fi soul groove that pairs perfectly with the rapper’s highly visual prose.

John Van Deusen — Don’t Pitch Correct Me (and more, live on KEXP)

There’s a mid-2000s emo vibe to the vocals of Seattle-area mainstay John Van Deusen that makes his brand of pop music shine brighter, and it’s perfectly exemplified on this live performance of Don’t Pitch Correct Me. A powerful drumbeat joins fun synth tones and palm-muted guitar, allowing the singer/songwriter’s voice just enough space.

That’s it for now, but tune in next week for more songs to stream, and check out the playlist loaded with our recent selections below:

Honolulu first major U.S. city to impose smartphone ban for pedestrians

Why it matters to you

In order to help prevent deaths and injuries caused by texting and walking, Honolulu is imposing a smartphone ban at crosswalks.

It may be known as the Aloha state, but you’d better think twice before you say hello on your mobile device when you’re crossing the street in Hawai’i. The capital of the island state, Honolulu, has just become the first major American city to pass legislation imposing a smartphone ban when it comes to crosswalks. Starting in late October, “distracted walking,” that caused by pedestrians with their eyes glued to their phones while crossing the street, will be subject to a fine.

The goal, of course, is to reduce the number of injuries and deaths that occur each year due to smartphone use during walking. A 2015 University of Maryland study notes that over 11,000 injuries were attributed to phone-related distraction among pedestrians in the U.S. between 200 and 2011. And now that we’re more smartphone-obsessed than ever, it is likely that this figure has only increased. Indeed, the National Safety Council has since added “distracted walking” to its annual list of the most salient risks for unintentional injuries and deaths in the United States.

So now, beginning October 25, those crossing streets in Honolulu will face between a $15 to $99 fine should they be caught walking and texting. The severity of the fine depends upon the number of times the police see them on their devices while crossing a street.

“We hold the unfortunate distinction of being a major city with more pedestrians being hit in crosswalks, particularly our seniors, than almost any other city in the country,” Mayor Kirk Caldwell told reporters at a well-trafficked intersection earlier this week.

The problem with distracted walking extends far beyond the shores of the U.S. Last year, Augsburg, Germany began embedding traffic lights in the ground in order to alert smartphone-facing pedestrians as to potential dangers before crossing the street. And in London, there are now padded lamp posts so that folks who run into these giant metal poles don’t suffer concussions.

But not everyone is thrilled about Hawai’i’s legislative solution.

“Scrap this intrusive bill, provide more education to citizens about responsible electronics usage, and allow law enforcement to focus on larger issues,” resident Ben Robinson wrote to the city council. But alas, until we find a way to provide that education, it looks like such bans could become more and more the norm.

LG V30 reportedly going on sale on September 28

Why it matters to you

If you’ve been looking forward to the new LG V30, this is pretty good news. You can pre-order the device on September 17.

Have you been looking forward to the new LG V30 phone, but you’re not sure when you’re going to be able to get your hands on it? According to some new information, you won’t have to wait much longer.

While Android Authority reports that the Galaxy Note 8 is expected to launch on August 23, it looks like LG will be launching its LG V30 at this year’s IFA press conference on August 31 — just eight days after its competition launches. Following this, the phone will be going on sale globally. First, it will go on sale September 15 in South Korea, then it will be making its way to the U.S. on September 28.

The company will reportedly be launching pre-orders of the V30 in the U.S. on September 17. The phone will then officially be on sale at various retailers just 11 days later.

According to the document obtained by Android Authority, there doesn’t appear to be a launch date for the device in Europe yet. This does confirm that the release date rumors were indeed spot on, however. This is also going to be the first time that the V-series comes to Europe, whenever that launch date is announced. It’s safe to assume there won’t be a huge gap between the time the phone is released in America vs. when it’s released in Europe.

As for the V30 itself, it’s going to be one of the biggest releases this year when it comes to tech. Recent reports about the LG V30’s specs tell us that it should have the trademark dual camera, as well as the fingerprint sensor on the back. Details on the specs also suggest that the smartphone will come with a 6-inch OLED display with very thin bezels. It’s possible that it may also have 64GB of internal storage under the hood, paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. Coincidentally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is rumored to also have 6GB of RAM.

Hopefully, the release of the LG V30 will help make this a solid year for the company. The LG G6 smartphone has not been doing as well as the company would have hoped.

Keep an eye on your home and belongings for only $70

Let’s face it: No matter what neighborhood you live in, your house could be broken into. You could also go your whole life without a break-in, but it’d still be nice to keep an eye on the kids or pets while you’re away from home, no?

Watch your kids, pets, and things from anywhere for $70 Learn more

Thankfully, we now have the technology to keep an eye on our homes and businesses from afar, and all we need is a smartphone, an internet connection, and a Wi-Fi security camera.

The Kodak 180-degree panoramic Wi-Fi security camera is just such a device, and what it does is right in the name. Set this device up anywhere in your home and you’ll be able to stream in HD from anywhere in the world, using the companion app. The Kodak security camera regularly retails for $149.99, but at Android Central Digital Offers, you can snag it for $69.99, 53% off.

This isn’t just a camera, though, since you can talk to loved ones or pets via the built-in two-way microphone. It also acts as a Wi-Fi range extender, expanding your home network coverage. The Kodak Wi-Fi security camera has a host of automation and detection features, including the ability to detect people so that you can be alerted when someone’s in your home when they shouldn’t be. Your motion-triggered clips can be stored in the cloud for 24 hours, so you can watch them back. You can also choose to add on 14- or 30-day cloud storage for a feee.

If you want to keep an eye on your abode while you’re away, check out the Kodak Wi-Fi security camera at Android Central Digital Offers and save 53%.

Watch your kids, pets, and things from anywhere for $70 Learn more

Best VR videos you should watch right now

What are the best videos to watch in VR?

Virtual reality isn’t just all about gaming — it’s also about emotional and exhilarating experiences in the form of 360-degree videos. Apps like Within, Littlestar, and YouTube make it easy to download and digest these videos across multiple VR platforms. Here are the best VR videos to watch right now.

Read more at VRHeads!