Maverick PT-55 Waterproof Instant-Read Thermometer Review

The Maverick PT-55 Waterproof Instant-Read Thermometer is a full-featured, hand-held instant read thermometer. It has a rapid response time that allows one to measure food temps in real time, and permits capture of the current temp as well as minimum and maximum temperatures.

You turn the unit on by pressing a button – merely opening the probe does not fire it up. You can easily select Fahrenheit or Celsius scales with the push of a second button. The maximum and minimum temps store until cleared. You can recall them by a button that toggles between the current temp, the minimum temp and the maximum. Yet another button captures the current temperature. Pressing any button turns on the electric blue backlight for a few seconds. The unit will shut itself down if you don’t press any buttons for ten minutes.

Maverick PT-55 Waterproof Instant-Read Thermometer Display

Temperature response times are very quick – an essential trait for this type of unit. At nearly one-half inch high, the display is easy to read, and the backlight is effective.

You can recalibrate the Maverick PT-55 Waterproof Instant-Read Thermometer by inserting the probe into an ice water bath and holding the F/C switch for five seconds. There is also a reset button, recessed to make inadvertent actuation difficult. It’s not clear from the instructions just exactly what is reset, though. There is a low-battery icon that alerts the user to replace the two CR2032 batteries.

This unit is specified at IP67, dust-tight and submersible up to one meter of depth, so damage from water is pretty much a non-issue. The display is fixed – that is, it doesn’t rotate depending on the unit’s orientation – favoring the right-handed user. USDA food temps are listed in a table on the back of the thermometer, if you’re inclined to overcook your food

Warranty

Build quality is above average, and it should resist water damage better than most. The packaging states the warranty as one year, but the instruction sheet says it’s 90 days. The manufacturer gives a mailing address for service, a website, and a telephone number in case of problems.

This is a solidly-built instant read thermometer with a full feature set. It’s speed performance is very good. It reads a few degrees high at 225º and 325º, but probably not likely to be an issue for most users. At a list of $45 and a street price of under $40, it’s in the mid-price range for quality equipment. Another good product from Maverick – the Maverick PT-55 Waterproof Instant-Read Thermometer earns a Gold Medal.