Either you are preparing a fresh smoked ham for Thanksgiving Day or enjoying a fancy dinner at home, it is vital always to have a thermometer when grilling or cooking.
This tool helps you to achieve the perfect “doneness” to your liking. You can even get rid of the guesswork by simply partnering with this professional temperature tool in the kitchen!
When talking about meat thermometer, Thermoworks is the winner, they are expert in temperature tools, with the Thermopop and the Thermapen as their most high-rated thermometers.
This article will show you the highlighted features and the pros and cons of Thermopop vs Thermapen. Although both are digital thermometers from the same company, they still display differences in terms of built and other features. Read on to know more!
Thermopop
The Thermopop is a balloon-like temperature device that protrudes to a long probe. Its display rotates automatically, which makes it easy to read at whatever angle you are.
It can also switch from degrees Fahrenheit as well as degrees Celsius, proving its convenience when the recipe calls for different temperature bases!
What most users love about it is its quick opening feature. With a push of a button, the Thermopop already displays its beautiful structure with significant back-lit digits!
Further, the Thermopop is designed splash-proof. This feature creates tight seals when accidentally splashed with water. Also, it has a wide range of temperature readings from -58°F to 572°F so that it can be used in a variety of food temperatures: from frozen burgers to grilling or high-temperature deep frying. Its accuracy is guaranteed at ±2°F to 248°F.
The Thermopop is simple to use, making it convenient for beginners who are planning to use the thermometer. This digital thermometer also measures through an inline thermistor probe providing temperature readings for only 3 to 4 seconds.
When purchasing a Thermopop, you can choose among different colors such as red, blue, green, yellow, purple, orange, pink, black, and white.
Generally, this wireless meat thermometer is an impressive device at a very affordable price. Its wide range of temperature readings makes it the ideal tool for home everyday use!
- It is relatively inexpensive thermometer
- It has a wide range of temperature readings from -58°F to 572°F
- It takes 3-4 seconds to read the temperature
- Shuts off automatically to save battery
- Easy to use
- Splash-proof
- Not as accurate or fast to read than others
- A Lithium Coin Cell is required as batteries
Thermapen
Thermoworks also produced the widely known Therpamen MK4 in the market. It is rated highest and most popular among the available temperature devices of Thermoworks.
This product has a high-end thermocouple sensor that helps in the accuracy and range of reading temperature. It is made of plastic with a folding probe and has a thermistor technology that can slow down the reading of temperature.
With its long and thin probes, you can read your steak’s temperature by inserting the probes inside it. Then, for just an instant of 2 to 3 seconds response time, you can now have the temperature reading! It has a vast range of -58.0°F to 572.0°F or -49.9°C to 299.9°C temperature readings and has a high accuracy of ±0.7°F (±0.4°C).
The Thermapen automatically switches on the moment you touch it, thanks to its high-technology components! It also uses two AAA batteries to function, which can be used up to 3,000 hours.
Similar to Thermopop, the Thermapen also features a rotating screen, which makes it easy to read temperatures from varying angles. A large LCD with backlight also aids in easy reading even in the dark.
Further, the product has a superb grip even with greasy hands, which is a nice feature for barbecues or grills. It can be used by either your left or right hand to not strain your neck. This thermometer also repels water for long and still stays unharmed.
It is offered in different colors; some are blue, red, green, black, orange, violet, pink, yellow, pistachio, white, and gray.
Overall, the Thermapen MK4 is a powerful professional temperature tool that gives a quick and accurate reading when cooking. It is one of the best instant read thermometers for the professional cook in the industry. It’s also generally safer to use even in tedious kitchen activities.
- It has one of the fastest read times which is 2 to 3 seconds
- Wide temperature range of -58.0°F to 572.0°F or -49.9°C to 299.9°C
- It has a high accuracy of ±0.7°F (±0.4°C)
- Batteries last long up to 3,000 hours
- The display is an LCD and has a backlight
- IP67 rated
- Durable and handy
- It can be used by either left or right hand
- It is expensive due to the thermistor technology
- Not as accurate when used in roast beef
The Differences Between Thermopop and Thermapen
After presenting the most popular instant-read thermometers of Thermoworks, you might be wondering what would be the better purchase for your home cooking.
The Thermopop and the Thermapen will be assessed by the following differences to get you what you need at your very own kitchen:
Body
The Thermapop is shaped like a balloon and has a case for safekeeping when not in use. It has a thin probe, in which you uncap and insert into the meat to read its internal temperature.
It also measures 7H x 1.8W x 0.8D inches. The mold-in seals and the buttons help make the device water-resistant.
On the other hand, the Thermapen measures 1.97H x 6.2W x 0.75D inches (50H x 157W x 19D mm). It has an excellent structure and grip that is reliable in avoiding slips and accidents when cooking.
Screen
The Thermapop display should be turned on and off by the user. It also has buttons for rotating the display. It has significant backlight digits that are easy to read.
After 5 seconds of the display, the reading will be at 1° during the final reading. It rotates in for directions, which are helpful in reading at any angle.
On the other hand, the Thermapen MK4 boasts a patented auto-rotating display. It displays an intuitive backlight that adjusts to the brightness or darkness of the environment. Thanks to its sensor for this intelligent feature! Both of the devices, however, can be switched from degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius easily.
Accuracy
The Thermapop display has an accuracy of ±2°F to 248°F, while a Thermapen has an accuracy of ±0.7°F (±0.4°C).
To check the efficiency of your Thermopop thermometer, you can try an ice bath test at home. The ice bath test starts by filling your vessel with water and ice (you can use ice cubes or crushed ice).
Then, add water just enough to cover the ice. Next, insert the probe and swirl it as you do so. Your Thermopop should read 32°F (0°C) in the ice bath. This shows that the Thermopop is also reliable and accurate in giving temperature readings.
Meanwhile, the Thermapen MK4 has a professional-grade accuracy in an instant. Meaning if you are grilling a steak while in the grill, you can take it off right after you temp it to avoid overcooking.
To verify your accuracy with a Thermapen, you should insert the probe in different parts of the meat. The thickest part of the meat is where you can test the accuracy of your Thermoworks Thermapen MK4 and see how reliable the results are.
Speed
The response time of the Thermoworks Thermopop is 2 to 3 seconds. This feature is perfect for those who want to safely serve food on the dinner table at home without overcooking it.
In contrast, the Thermoworks Thermapen MK4 gives accurate full readings in an instant as you move to any part of the meat. The readings of the Thermapen can get you instant reading in an average of 1.8 seconds.
If you are a dessert person, there is a fine line between bitter caramel and a delicate sweet one, and the temperature is critical. Hence, the Thermapen MK4 is worth the dollars to spend on if you are a professional cook. The temperature stabilizes in an instant, and that is worth spending on!
Ignition
Ignition temperature or the ignition point sometimes called the kindling point of a substance, pertains to the lowest temperature a combustible gas will ignite and sustain combustion in a typical atmosphere.
The Thermopop ranges from the lowest temperature at -58°F up to its highest temperature of 572°F. This feature means that it can be used in frozen food or an ice bath test.
Meanwhile, the Thermapen MK4 calibrates from its lowest point at -58.0°F or -49.9 °C and at its highest point of 572.0°F or 299.9°C. Its ignition points along with accuracy and speed make the Thermapen MK4 an unbeatable tool for the professional cook and chef!
Water Resistance
The Thermopop is IP66 resistant. It can be protected against high-pressure water and permits the limited entrance of water.
This feature is beneficial when you need to clean or wash your Thermopop. You might think of it simply, but cleaning or washing your temperature tool keeps it topnotch despite several uses.
In like manner, the Thermoworks Thermapen MK4 also has an ingress feature that is a salient point for choosing an instant-read thermometer in the kitchen.
Thermapen is widely waterproof. It protects the thermometer through its IP66 and IP67 feature, which means that it can remain unaffected by dust and can be protected against short immersion in water.
It can be submerged in water for a maximum of 30 minutes and still get unharmed. It can resist barbecue sauces spill or a big splash of water.
Final Verdict: Which one is for you?
In conclusion, both the Thermopop and Thermapen work great in the kitchen with their individual unique features. However, choosing the one that fits for you depends on your needs and the price you are willing to spend. It is vital to know what type of cooking you do in your kitchen.
The Thermopop is for those who would like to spend less, but still, need the best buy for their budget. It is inexpensive but does the work done for you. When you need an accurate and reliable companion in the kitchen, the Thermopop is better.
On the other hand, if you are a pro and really in need of instant and accurate reading time, the Thermapen MK4 is for you. It is best in providing you with the temperature that you need in an instant. Thanks to its intuitive design and technology for giving immediate results! It is also easy to use and can withstand grease and water.
I spent most of my life fascinated by food, and the outdoors. I can’t think of a more fitting combo that leads to mastering the art of BBQ one day. I ended up decent enough to grill the perfect burger and choose the best equipment after years of improvement. I create this website for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, who are fueled by interest but lacking in help, feel educated when they leave because I see my past clueless self in them.
