The Best Candy Thermometer 2025 [America’s Test Kitchen]

When it comes to making candy, the candy thermometer is a must for me. Unlike the conventional thermometers, this type comes in handy for jelly-making, yeast proofing, deep-frying, or checking meat.

The candy thermometers allow you to measure high temperatures, making it a valuable companion for a wide range of cooking requirements.

In this post, we’ll consider the best candy thermometer america’s test kitchen on the market, pros and cons, and how to choose the right product for your kitchen.

What is a candy thermometer?

A candy thermometer is used to measure the cooking sugar solution’s temperature and stage for preparing flavorful candies. Sometimes, this device is also known as jam thermometer, sugar thermometer, or deep fryer thermometer.

Candy and meat thermometers share almost the same properties, except the high-temperature range calibration required to make candy. There are different thermometers with impressive versatility allowing you to measure the temperature of bread, candy, liquids, and hot oil.                                       

Reviews of Best Candy Thermometer America’s Test Kitchen 2020

Here are list top rated Candy Thermometer by consumer reports

1 – Habor 022 Meat Thermometer, Digital Cooking Thermometer, Candy Thermometer

If you are in the market for a device that’s suitable for a wide range of cooking needs. This product from Habor can measure temperatures of any mixture between -58 to 572 degrees F.

Habor 022 Digital Cooking Thermometer has a 4.7-inch stainless steel probe and takes less than 7 seconds to give an accurate temperature reading after placing it in the food. Its reading might be slightly different when checked against another device. Also, ensure the battery cover closes properly to prevent any complications using this device.

Further, this probe is meant to be removed after a temperature check and not stay in the pan or food during cooking. Habor 022 Meat Thermometer, Digital Cooking Thermometer is backed by a three-year limited warranty. Plus, it comes with a 10-minute auto shut-off feature, which helps preserve its battery life.

Pros:

• -58 and 572 degree F temperature range
• Stainless steel probe
• Auto shut-off function
• Comes with a warranty

Cons:

• Issues with the battery cover not fitting securely or tightly
• Temperature may vary
• Not an “in-pan” thermometer

2 – Polder Candy/Jelly/Deep Fry Thermometer Stainless Steel

Next on our list of the best candy thermometer, America’s test kitchen is Polder Candy/Jelly/Deep Fry Thermometer Stainless Steel with a traditional steel style. This product is equipped with a pan clip and a well-insulated stay-cool handle. It’s suitable for an array of uses as well as candy. More so, the thermometer gauge comes with key temperature stages like deep frying and candy.

This tall thermometer is capable of measuring the temperature of any mixture between 75 to 400 degrees F. even better, Polder Candy/Jelly/Deep Fry Thermometer Stainless Steel is dishwasher safe, which means hassle-free cleaning. However, this unit is prone to variations in temperature, which might require calibration more often. Lastly, it features a stainless steel construction to ensure unparalleled durability.

Pros:

• Stay cool handle
• Temperature range of 75 to 400 degree F
• Steel thermometer
• Includes a pan clip
• Dishwasher friendly

Cons:

• The bulb is fragile and at risk of breaking.

3 – PBKay Digital Cooking Candy Liquid Thermometer

This digital candy thermometer steals our third sport with its adjustable pan clip and quick result. PBKay Digital Cooking Candy Liquid Thermometer comes with a stainless steel probe to deliver a reading in less than 10 seconds.

As said earlier, it features an adjustable pan clip to allow you to attach the thermometer to the pan throughout cooking. It also includes a small circular digital display to enable you to read the temperature reading with ease.

More so, it sports a 15-minutes auto shut-off function for preserving the unit’s battery life. Sadly, PBKay Digital Cooking Candy Liquid Thermometer’s display does not come with a backlight, which means reading at night can be challenging.

Like most high-end candy thermometers, this model is capable of measuring between -58 to 572 degree F. Besides, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty to protect you from any manufacturer defects.

Pros:

• Adjustable pan clip
• Digital thermometer
• Lifetime limited warranty
• Stainless steel probe

Cons:

• LCD lacks backlight
• Fragile and require careful handling.
• Regular calibration and test

4 – Taylor Precision Products RA17724 Taylor Candy And Jelly Deep Fry Thermometer

When it comes to the best candy thermometer, Taylor Precision Products RA17724 Taylor Candy Thermometer comes to mind. This tempered glass thermometer allows you to measure between 100 and 400 degrees F.

It features a traditional style, which means this product is filled with blue food-safe liquid to provide you with easy-to-read temperature readings through a magnifying tube.

However, it can be challenging to read when in use since the inner tube is likely to condense.  Also, Taylor Precision Products RA17724 Taylor Candy And Jelly Deep Fry Thermometer is equipped with an adjustable pan clip and features a protective sleeve featuring a temperature guide.

In addition, it’s easy to clean with a damp cloth. Similarly, you’ll have to do some quick calibration test with boiling water or ice before using it.

Pros:

• Food safe liquid
• Adjustable pan clip
• Tempered glass
• 100 to 400 degree F temperature range

Cons:

• Issues with the tube seal
• May condense up when in use

5 – Kitchencraft Home Made Deluxe Stainless Steel Cooking Thermometer

Another stainless steel cooking thermometer making our list is Kitchencraft Home Made Deluxe Stainless Steel Cooking Thermometer. It helps you measure the exact settling points of deep-frying, sugars, and jam temperature.

This product reads from 60 to 200 degrees F and makes reading with clearly marked cooking temperature points hassle-free. Sadly, its size may not work well with some customer’s kitchen.

Pros:

• Mercury-free
• stainless steel cooking thermometer
• reads from 60 to 200 degree F

Cons:

• Too large for some home use

6 – Lightbeam Digital Candy Thermometer, Candy Spatula Thermometer

This unit is a multi-purpose cooking thermometer. It serves as a candy thermometer and a BBQ grill tool to help read the internal temperature of your meat, syrup, cream, liquid candy, and chocolate.

Lightbeam Digital Candy Thermometer comes with a removable spatula spoon, which comes in handy for stirring, mixing, and serving up portions. That’s not all: it comes with a precise probe to offer accurate reading fast. It read a temperature between -58 to 572 degrees F.

On top of that, it comes with a sleek digital display and an effortless button to make reading and operating this model easy. This unit is removable for cleaning and requires low maintenance.

Pros:

• Handy silicone spatula
• Sleek digital display
• Fast and accurate temperature readings
• Temp readings between -58 and 572 degree F
• Removable for handwashing

Cons:

• Fragile

7 – CDN IRT220 Cooking Thermometer

The CDN IRT220 Cooking Thermometer comes with an adjustable steel clip for easy attachment to the pan. The large display offers easy temp reading. Sadly, some customers claim it’s still challenging to read.

CDN IRT220 Cooking Thermometer is suitable for use as a deep-fry or candy thermometer. It reads a temperature range between 40 – 450 degrees F. Plus, it comes with a pre-programmed setting or chooses your custom program.

More importantly, it comes with an auto shut-off function. It comes with an audible alarm to notify you when the temperature approaches your targets. It’s made with 304-grade stainless steel and requires you to hand wipe only.

Pros:

• Audible alarm
• Easy read display
• Auto shut-off
• Temperature range 40 to 450 degree F

Cons:

• Battery may run down during use.
• No instruction on how to recalibrate

See more: Best Oven Thermometer Reviews America’s Test Kitchen of 2020

Things to Consider Before Buying a Candy Thermometer

Obviously, there is a wide range of candy thermometers available in different styles and types of materials. Therefore it is important to consider some key factors when trying to purchase a candy thermometer to ensure satisfactory performance

Accuracy

One of the primary reasons for purchasing a candy thermometer is to get an accurate result. Getting precise temperature measurement is essential to the whole candy-making process. This, achieving this a level of accuracy, you might have to calibrate the device frequently.

Unlike digital models, manual thermometers often require calibration, which can be time-consuming and irritating.  Although the process of calibrating a candy thermometer is simple, you might not be aware of the right time the calibration process is needed.

On the other hand, digital thermometers do not require calibration from time to time. To determine the accuracy of this device, insert the thermometer in a pot of boil water, and check the measurement. The device must read 212 degrees Fahrenheit for boiling water.

 Digital or analog

When it comes to price, analog candy thermometers come with an affordable price tag. Plus they’re easier to track down. This type of candy thermometer contains Mercury or spirit that rises and Falls as an indication for the temperature Reading.

Analog candy thermometers are usually made of glass or metal and require you to place them in the liquid for a couple of minutes before indicating the temperature readings.

While its counterpart reads and delivers temperature results electronically. The best candy thermometer should allow you to set a specific temperature range and beep when the liquid has attained the desired temperature. Furthermore, these electronic devices are also equipped with varieties of other handy features to a seamless experience.

In terms of supplied features, is of use and accuracy, recommend the digital candy thermometer. Plus, you do not have to calibrate this option frequently, like the analog models.

Unique features

For modern candy thermometers, there are a plethora of features that make them incredibly useful. For instance, report clips come in handy for keeping the thermometer steady in place while taking the weekend off the device. Another way to achieve this is by magnetizing the probe. Also, extra-long poles allow users a bit far away from the liquid, especially hot water or boiling liquid.

Type of Candy Thermometer

Steel Candy Thermometer

This is a favorite for me since it stays clipped to the pan’s side throughout cooking. The steel candy thermometer requires more calibration, takes a while to provide an accurate reading, and works best when the mixture covers its bulb and base.

Traditional Bulb Style Thermometers

They come with an affordable price tag and can be challenging to read since it tends to condensate inside the tube. Because steel and bulb style thermometers feature sharp edges and have nooks and crannies, it’s likely to affect your mixture and develop sugar crystals.

Dial Style Thermometers

This type of candy thermometer requires manual calibration and comes with thinner steel probes to allow stirring the mixture while taking the reading. The dials are not simple to read and only permit marking a couple of key temperature points.

Similar to traditional thermometers, the dial style thermometers provide you with the temperature reading for an area where it’s clipped, which might not be the accurate temperature reading.

Digital Thermometers

They are pricey, but worth it considering some automation it brings to the table. The best digital thermometers should come with audible alarms to notify when the mixture’s temperature is closer to the set point.

Unlike the manual thermometer, some models give a temperature reading much faster. It comes with a stainless steel probe allowing users to insert it into any part of the mixture easily.

Testing A Thermometer

The boiling water test is the easiest way to test a thermometer. Get a pan of water, insert the thermometer without touching the bases and sides of the pan while fully immersed. Now, bring the water in the pot to a boiling point with constant and vigorous bubbling and allow the thermometer to give the accurate temperature reading.

For those living at sea level, the device should read exactly 212 degrees F. if you stay 1000ft above sea level, then you get a reading of 210.2 degree F and for 2000ft about 208.4 degrees F.

Is there a difference between a meat and candy thermometer?

The candy and meat thermometer share similar features, but the temperature range differs with the formal taking the lead.

Conclusion

If we must recommend a best candy thermometer, Habor 022 Meat/ Digital Cooking/ Candy Thermometer will be our first pick. It has a lot of features, including 10-min auto shut down features, quick results, and easy reading.