The ThermoWorks Classic Super Fast Thermapen is a high-end instant reading thermometer with a lot of awesome features. Often referred to as “The Cadillac of Thermometers”, it is still one of the fastest-reading thermometers on the market and offers some of the most accurate temperature readings to boot. 

The color options make this a great thermometer for commercial kitchens since it comes in all the food safety colors. The overall build is one to last and its versatility makes it great for all types of cooking. Its wide reading temperature range makes this so much more than just a meat thermometer.

By the end of this review, you’ll be armed with the pros, the cons, and the facts about the ThermoWorks Classic Super Fast Thermapen instant read thermometer to help in your decision-making.

Spoiler Alert: This Classic Thermapen instant read thermometer is the Cadillac of all instant read thermometers and is still one of the best on the market today.

ThermoWorks Classic Thermapen Quick Facts

Product Name: ThermoWorks Classic Thermapen

Made By: ThermoWorks

Top 3 Features:

• 2-3 second reading time
• Accuracy within .7°F
• Auto on/off

Standout Benefits of the Classic ThermoWorks Super Fast Thermapen

ThermoWorks always offers great products and the Classic Thermapen is one product that combines usability and style.

Unlike many cheaper models that use thermistor sensors, the Classic Thermapen uses thermocouple technology, which gives them faster and more accurate readouts. There is a reason ThermoWorks products are used in more professional kitchens than any other brands.

The Classic Thermapen is a product that was designed with the user in mind, fixing issues in many ways.

A fast and reliable thermometer is always a great idea. Having one that’s also accurate makes a world of difference. The Classic Thermapen comes within ±0.7°F of the exact temperature you are checking. That’s about as good as it gets, believe me. This lets you cook meat and other food to an extremely accurate temperature making it both safe and perfectly prepared.

The 180-degree rotating and easily foldable probe makes it a great thermometer for checking oddly shaped items, like turkeys. The 4.5-inch probe is also helpful when checking food over a heat source because you can avoid holding your hand directly over the source by bending the probe.

The high reading speed also keeps you from holding your hand over heat sources for extended periods. Since it reads the temperature within three seconds, you can quickly move your hand out of the way.

The wide temperature range of -58.0 to 572.0°F make this ideal for cooking, baking, grilling, and more. Whether you need a thermometer for making bread, cooking candy, checking hot oil and liquid, testing below-freezing temperatures, or making outdoor masterpieces on the grill, the Thermapen Classic has got you covered.

A Guide to Using the ThermoWorks Super Fast Thermapen

The ThermoWorks Super Fast Thermapen is simple to use and requires little to no setup. By simply inserting the battery and flipping the probe open, the thermometer will turn on and you are ready to go. If you want, you can choose between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

Beyond that just insert the probe into the thickest part of your food. Make sure the probe is as close to the center as possible to get the most accurate temperature readings. Within three seconds, the Thermapen will display your temperature on its large display.

If you are between uses of the Thermapen, you can wipe clean the probe and fold it closed, which will power it off. Alternatively, you can simply set it down and it will go into sleep mode after 10 minutes until you need to use it again. Once you pick it back up and refold the probe, the ThermoWorks Thermapen meat thermometer turns back on automatically.

The ThermoWorks Classic Thermapen Description & Features

Read Time | Gold Standard in Accuracy Ratings | Easy to Read Display | Fahrenheit to Celsius Reconfigurable | Water Resistant Design | Auto On/off No Need for Confusing Buttons! | Temperature Range | 1500 Hour Battery Life | 4.5 Inch High Performance Probe | Multiple Colors to Choose From | Quality Meets Usability

The Classic Thermapen is built like a tank, but that is not to say it is bulky or heavy like one. It is made to last.

It’s not flashy or overly complicated (there are no buttons to fiddle with), but it excels at two things, extremely accurate temperature readings and raw speed.

Read Time

One of the things that stands out the most is the speed of this thermometer. Even though an “instant read” thermometer is never actually instant, the Classic Thermapen gets pretty close. Temperature readings are returned between two and three seconds.

Gold Standard in Accuracy Ratings

The accuracy of the original ThermoWorks Thermapen is the second thing that sets this thermometer apart from the rest. It comes within ±0.7°F of the exact temperature of whatever you are checking. This is as accurate as I have found in a publicly available, low-cost cooking thermometer product.

Easy to Read Display

The clear and large display makes reading temperatures easier than ever. No more twisting and squinting trying to make out the numbers like you have to do with many of the competitors. The display is large and high contrast enough to read easily even with your head in a smoky grill.

Fahrenheit to Celsius Reconfigurable

Changing from Fahrenheit to Celsius readings is as simple as moving a switch under the battery cover from up to down.

Water-Resistant Design

Although the Thermapen is not dishwasher safe, the water and dust-resistant design makes it safe for those occasional spills and slip-ups.

If you are like me and have forgotten your thermometer out by the grill overnight, this really is a nice feature to have.

Auto On/off — No Need for Confusing Buttons!

Another awesome feature of the Thermapen is its automatic power. When you open the probe, the thermometer turns on, put the probe back and it turns off.

But it goes beyond that.

If you set the thermometer down for an extended period (even while folded open) it will automatically turn off after 10 minutes to save battery power. This keeps you from accidentally draining the power if you leave the thermometer open.

Temperature Range

When you have a thermometer with as wide a temperature range as the Thermapen, you are pretty covered for whatever you are cooking.

A temperature range of -58.0 to 572.0°F makes this a very versatile thermometer able to handle all of your cooking, baking, brewing, and grilling needs.

1,500 Hour Battery Life

One of the few drawbacks of the Classic Thermapen is its battery life. While 1,500 hours in use life is nothing to laugh at, there are better out there. Still, the auto-off and sleep modes do a good job of prolonging the battery life.

4.5 Inch High-Performance Probe

The 180-degree fold-out probe makes it simple to get at all the angles you need in the oven or grill.

The 4.5-inch long temperature probe adds a good distance between the hands and the heat source. The probe folds back up when not in use for easy storage.

Multiple Colors to Choose From

Like most ThermoWorks products, the Thermapen comes in an assortment of colors, which is a sweet way to personalize your thermometer for your environment.

The Classic Thermapen comes in five different colors, following the food safety colors. This makes the Thermapen a great product for industrial kitchens. You can color code your thermometer for the different types of food, lowering the chances of cross-contamination.

Quality Meets Usability

The ThermoWorks Super Fast Thermapen is made by hand in England. ThermoWorks say this offers the highest grade of quality for a thermometer. The high-end thermocouple technology is why the ThermoWorks Classic Super Fast Thermapen is able to be faster than its competitors.

Another bonus is the complimentary guidebook that comes with every order. Each Thermapen comes with a guidebook explaining how to use and care for your thermometer. It also gives insights into cooking several types of meat. It includes a chart of food safety temperatures for the newer cooks.

Who Is the ThermoWorks Classic Super Fast Thermapen For?

Honestly, the ThermoWorks Super Fast Classic Thermapen is so versatile that it is a worthy option for just about everyone.

The rapid reading time and extreme accuracy make the Classic Thermapen top-of-the-line in instant read thermometers. The wide temperature range makes this a great thermometer for most types of cooking.

Everyone from the seasoned professional to a just starting beginner will benefit from this fast and accurate thermometer.

This versatility and instant read-out speed make the Thermapen the ideal kitchen or outdoor cooking thermometer.

Reasons to Think Twice

The only real drawback of the Thermapen is the price. But let me tell you why it is worth it from personal experience. I have gone through a ton of grilling thermometers in my outdoor cooking life and most seem to fail or break frequently. Most people that have owned a Thermapen, have done so for years, myself included.

If the higher price tag is still an issue, at least do your research and use the ThermoWorks Thermapen as a model for selecting a lower-cost option.

A worthy alternative that I would recommend is the Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo. It is a worthy alternative at a lower price.

If you are looking for a high-end instant read thermometer with more bells and whistles, check out the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE. Hands down, the best instant read thermometer money can buy. Both are worth checking out.

Classic Thermapen PROs & CONs

The biggest con in buying the ThermoWorks Super Fast Thermapen is its cost. It is priced in the mid-market range for instant read thermometers. It is understandably priced as high as it is, because of the overall build, features, and accuracy. But the price can certainly turn some people away.

Other than the price, not being able to leave your grilling area while monitoring the temperature of your food is another downside. But that is true for all instant read thermometers.

If this is more along the lines of what you are looking for, a leave-in remote thermometer may be a better choice for you.

The pros for the Classic Thermapen go on and on.

The accuracy and read time make it one of the best thermometers around. The versatility it provides with its wide temperature reading range makes this a true multi-use kitchen tool. Its far-reaching probe and easy-to-read display make it a very convenient product to use. The auto power feature is also awesome, and hard to beat.

Classic Thermapen Price & Warranties

This Thermapen sells for about $59 at the time of this writing. If you buy it in a bundle of all five colors, you get a decent discount.

A company that has an excellent reputation and is known for top-notch customer service backs the ThermoWorks Thermapen.

Final Thoughts on Our ThermoWorks Classic Super Fast Thermapen Review

The Classic Thermapen is certainly a force to be reckoned with when it comes to instant read thermometers.

Even if you already own a lower-end thermometer, looking at upgrading to the Thermapen should not be out of the question. If you are looking for a highly accurate, and quick reading thermometer, you almost have to look at the ThermoWorks line. The Classic Thermapen is one of their best products and therefore should be one to consider.

Even if the Thermapen is out of your price range, use it as a comparison to the thermometers you may be considering. That way you can at least see what features are available and what to compare to in a high-end product.

I hope this ThermoWorks Classic Super Fast Thermapen review was helpful for you. As always, if you or someone you know is interested in grilling thermometers or you find this information useful, please consider sharing it with your grilling friends and on social media!

If you would like to leave a comment or have a review of your own to share on ThermoWorks Super Fast Thermapen, please do so below. We always welcome your input.

Cheers,

Pat G.

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