ThermoPro TP-21 Remote Thermometer Review

The ThermoPro TP-21 is a single-probe wireless remote thermometer with user-programmable temperature alarms and USDA-approved temperature settings. It also includes a timer function.

The thermometer comes with one probe that is 6″ (15cm) long. You should not submerge the probe while cleaning or expose it to temperatures above 572ºF (300ºC).

Display

The transmitter has a single display that indicates the temperature to 0.1º in either Fahrenheit or Celsuis. There is no backlight on the transmitter. The battery compartment has a sealing ring to repel moisture, but the manufacturer warns against using it in the rain.

The receiver displays the temperature alarm setting as well as the probe’s temperature to 1º. It can display temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius, independent of the transmitter’s setting. If the timer is being used, its value displays on the top line above the probe temperature. The probe has an alarm setting for an upper temperature limit. There is no lower limit setting. The display backlight will flash blue after the temperature has gone up by 10º. When the probe is within 15º of the set temperature, the backlight flashes green. When the temperature reaches the alarm setting, the backlight flashes red, and the audible alarm beeps.

You can select target temperatures from pre-programmed meat and doneness values or set them to your preference.

The timer operates in either an up-counter or down-counter mode. When the user sets a time value, the counter will count down to zero, displaying a flashing 00:00. If the timer is cleared to zero and started, it will count up to 23 hours and 59 minutes, but no alarm will sound.

If the receiver loses signal from the transmitter for over one minute, the receiver will alert the user by displaying dashes in lieu of the temperature reading, but there is no audible alarm. After 30 minutes of lost signal, the receiver will beep and turn itself off unless the timer is running. Unfortunately, there is no audible indication that the signal has been lost until 30 minutes have elapsed, a serious shortcoming that could result in a ruined meal.

Our Review of the ThermoPro TP-21

The build quality of the electronics and the probes is above average. This thermometer is easy to use and provides the basic information that most cooks will want. The lack of a lower temperature alarm limit might restrict its utility for some users, though. ThermoPro covers the unit with a one-year limited warranty that extends to three years if you register the product online. Contact information, including an e-mail address, website and telephone number, are provided in the owner’s manual and on an enclosed card.

We’ll give this unit a Silver Medal for its build quality, performance, ease-of-use, and aesthetics.