ThermoWorks TW362B Cooking Thermometer/Timer Review

Note: This unit has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

The ThermoWorks TW362B Cooking Thermometer has an adjustable target cooking temperature and a count-down timer, both with alarms. The temperature probe is designed to be left in food while the display remains outside the oven/grill.

The alarm function can operate in two modes: a count-down timer with alarm or a temperature alarm. They can work simultaneously. To use the timer, enter the hours and minutes using the clearly-marked buttons, and press the Start/Stop button. When the timer reaches zero, the alarm will sound and the display will flash. The timer continues to count upward from zero so you know how much time has elapsed. When the alarm is cancelled with the Stop/Start button, the previous time will be reset for another count-down.

In the temperature alarm mode, you enter your target temperature without having to deal with pictures of pigs and chickens and doneness settings that are invariably too high. Just set the temp at which you want to be notified, and it will do the rest. The audible alarm can be switched on or off.

The controls are intuitive, probably not even requiring the instruction sheet. We recommend using the AmazingRibs Meat Temperature Guide for target temps. The probe cables are 44″ (1.1m) long, better than the typical 36″ (0.9m) lengths.

The manufacturer’s contact info, including address and telephone number, is found on the instruction sheet. There is no explicit warranty stated, but this company stands behind its products.

We like tools that don’t treat us like idiots, so we’re partial to thermometers that let us decide how we want to cook our food. This is such an instrument. Easy to operate! For accuracy, ease-of-use, and construction, we give this our Gold medal.

Meathead’s Notes from the Field:

“The cables will withstand the heat of a hot grill, and you should not use this with grills or ovens running more than 375°F, but most things you need to grill should be cooked less than that. It is not waterproof, so you can’t use it in the rain or snow. I recommend buying a backup probe when you buy the meter. The whole unit can clamshell, and it has a magnet for mounting on the fridge or the legs of your smoker. I have mine stuck to the back of my kitchen oven.”