Quick Overview: Why I Love the Thermapen ONE
- It’s Fast—The Thermapen ONE takes the idea of “instant-read” to a whole new level, delivering a temperature reading in just one second.
- Easy To Use—Just unfold the probe and it’s ready to go!
- Versatile—Easily check the temperature of meat, baked goods, candy, and more.
Shop the Thermapen ONE on Amazon below. Then read on for my full review!
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, No. 1 Recommended Instant-Read Thermometer - Cayenne Pepper Red |
$119.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2025-04-18 at 18:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
What is the Thermapen ONE?
Thermoworks Thermapen ONE is an easy-to-use instant-read thermometer that is a hit amongst professional chefs, home cooks, and more. Rated as the #1 instant-read thermometer by America’s Test Kitchen and the top meat thermometer overall by Food Network, it’s safe to say that the Thermapen ONE is basically the top thermometer on the market.
All About the Thermapen ONE
- Reads temperatures between -58 and 572°F within ± 0.5°F (or -50 to 300°C within ± 0.3°C).
- Auto-rotating display.
- Motion-sensing sleep and wake mode.
- About 2,000 hours of battery life on a single AAA battery.
- Waterproof (IP67).
- Comes with a 5-year warranty.
I’ve been using the Thermapen ONE in my kitchen for months now—testing it on everything from grilled fish to chicken, loaves of crusty homemade bread, and more. In this post, I’ll break down exactly what makes this tool stand out, what it’s best for, whether I think it’s worth your money, and why it has earned a permanent spot in my kitchen drawer.
4 Reasons I Love the Thermapen ONE
1. One-Second Read Time
As its name implies, the Thermapen ONE reads temperatures in just one second. This is especially helpful when checking the temperature of anything being baked or roasted in the oven—because the quicker you can read the temperature, the quicker you can close the door and keep the hot air in.
This speed is also a major asset when dealing with more finicky dishes or kitchen tasks—like candy-making. For example, it can take just a few seconds for caramel to turn from perfectly golden and smooth to a burnt mess. In this case, getting a quick temperature reading is very valuable.
2. Easy To Use & Read
To use the Thermapen ONE, you simply unfold the probe to turn it on and stick it into meat, baked goods, etc. It’s that easy.
Due to its folding nature, the thermometer is quite compact and lays nicely in a flat drawer. It’s also easy to grab and take along with you wherever you might need it in the kitchen. It’s easy to hold, and long enough to allow a bit of distance between your hand and any hot food you stick the probe into.
The screen itself is easy to read, with a backlit display and large numbers. The display also auto-rotates depending on how you are holding the thermometer. The screen is not ultra-bright, presumably to extend battery life, but I have never had an issue reading the numbers. The backlight will also go to sleep automatically (within about 8-9 seconds) when the Thermapen is set down, turning back on when you pick it up again.
3. It’s Versatile
You might assume the Thermapen’s main use is checking the doneness of meat—and it does a fantastic job in this arena! But I am here to tell you that there are so many occasions in which the Thermapen is useful, such as…
- Baked Goods—Check the internal temperature of your homemade bread—no more gummy underbaked dough or overbaked dried-out loaves. It’s also great for cinnamon rolls, muffins, cakes, and more!
- Activating Yeast—Check the temperature of water or milk to make sure it’s not so hot it will kill the yeast.
- Roasted Meat—Quickly gauge the doneness of everything from chicken thighs to your Thanksgiving turkey, beef roasts, and more in the oven.
- Grilling—The Thermapen makes things so much easier when grilling a variety of meats, or pieces of meat that differ in thickness—whether it be steak, fish, or even burgers.
- Casseroles or Other Hot Dishes—It’s great for checking the doneness of dense dishes like cheesy potatoes, lasagna, baked mac and cheese, and more. It can be difficult to know if the center is cooked through, even when the outer edges are golden and bubbly—but that’s made easy with the Thermapen!
- Candy Making—Monitoring the temp of your sugar mixture is key to achieving the right candy texture.
- Deep Frying—Check the temp of oil before and during frying to ensure perfectly crisp results.
- Tempering Chocolate—If you’ve tempered chocolate, you know that getting the chocolate to the right temperature, and then cooling it to the perfect temperature is key.
This isn’t one of those gadgets that you’ll dig out of the drawer just a couple times a year. I think know you’ll find yourself reaching for the Thermapen regularly, constantly finding new ways to use it.
4. The Biggest Pro—Peace of Mind
The Thermapen takes a lot of the guesswork out of cooking and baking. Is my bread done? Check it with the Thermapen. Is my roast cooked in the middle? Grab the Thermapen. Is the oil hot enough to fry my chicken in? All of these questions can be answered quickly—just by grabbing the Thermapen ONE and getting a temperature reading in just one second.
I, like many others, am a bit paranoid about meat being cooked through—especially chicken and pork. Using the Thermapen, you can be sure that your meat is fully cooked and safe to eat without overcooking it to death. While a professional chef may be able to tell a piece of meat is cooked just by touching or looking at it, home cooks might not have those same instincts built by time, experience, and repetition. In these instances, the Thermapen can give you some peace of mind and make it easier to cook with confidence.
The Thermapen comes in particularly handy during the holidays when you find yourself cooking things not on your normal menu. (Be honest, how many whole turkeys are you roasting during a year?) While rough calculations based on minutes per pound can give you some basic guidelines, the Thermapen can help you double-check doneness—so you know the turkey you’re about to serve to a dozen people is actually fully cooked.
Is the Thermapen ONE Worth the Price?
The Thermapen ONE is widely considered the #1 instant-read thermometer on the market—and its price reflects that. The thermometer retails for $119 (as of April 2025). So, here’s the real question—is it worth that much when so many cheaper options exist?
I think you can probably guess my answer—it’s a yes. If you are an avid cook, I believe a high-quality instant-read thermometer is one of the best investments you can make. You will use it all the time and it will give you even more confidence in your cooking. Plus, with the durable design and a five-year warranty, you can be confident that this thermometer will last you a long time.
I Think You Will Like the Thermapen ONE If…
- You value 1-second temperature readings.
- You want to know (for sure!) when meats, baked goods, and more are done and safe to eat.
- You’re looking for, and are willing to invest in, a tool that will last.
- You want an instant-read thermometer that is easy to use and read.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, No. 1 Recommended Instant-Read Thermometer - Cayenne Pepper Red |
$119.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2025-04-18 at 18:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Bonus! Thermapen ONE Q&A
How do you clean it?
Use a damp cloth or anti-bacterial wipe to wipe down the thermometer. Do not put it in the dishwasher.
Can you leave it in the oven?
NO, never leave the Thermapen in an oven, smoker, etc. while cooking. It is meant to give an instant reading and that’s it. If you’re looking for a thermometer you can leave in meat as it cooks, you’ll need a digital probe thermometer (like this one on Amazon).
When cooking our Thanksgiving turkey upside down, I use both a digital probe and the Thermapen. I have found many digital probe thermometers to be quite inaccurate/faulty, so the Thermapen is best for making sure the meat is really done.
Does the Thermapen ONE Ever Go On Sale?
I have seen the Thermapen ONE go on sale on Amazon, especially during their big sales throughout the year (Prime Big Deal Days, Spring Sale, Black Friday, etc.). Thermoworks also has an online outlet, although I have not seen this model listed on there.
What’s the difference between the Thermapen ONE and the Classic Thermapen?
The Classic Thermapen is an older Thermapen model that retails for around $90-$100. It offers 2-3 second readings with ±0.7°F accuracy and 1,500 hours of battery life. It is water-resistant (not waterproof like the ONE). Unlike the ONE model, the Classic does not offer an auto-rotating display or motion-sensing sleep and wake mode.
My advice—if you’re going to invest in an instant-read thermometer, I would go with the newer Thermapen ONE. You might as well get all the best features and the quickest readings!
If you’re ready to invest in a high-quality instant-read thermometer, I can confidently recommend the Thermapen ONE.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, No. 1 Recommended Instant-Read Thermometer - Cayenne Pepper Red |
$119.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2025-04-18 at 18:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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