After researching some of the top candy thermometers available, we chose the OXO Good Grips Candy Thermometer as our Editor’s Choice because of its ease of use and consistent performance over the long haul.
Candy making is not child’s play, even though candy may be considered by many a child’s treat.
It needs concentration and especially ensuring that the temperature is just ideal.
This is why candy makers have specialized thermometers to make sure that those chocolates, toffee, and candy come out correctly.
The market has several brands of thermometers, and they come in various shapes and sizes, as well as prices.
The best candy thermometer will alert you when you reach a certain stage of making candy and it will withstand the high temperatures that come with the territory.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the best candy thermometers, tips to pick the right candy thermometer, and more. Let’s get started!
Best Candy Thermometers – Quick Comparison
| Product Name | Material | Price | Rating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Glass Candy and Deep Fry Thermometer | Analog Glass | $$$$ | ||||
| Polder THM-515 Stainless Steel Candy Fry Thermometer | Analog Steel | $$$ | ||||
| CDN DTC450 Digital Pre-Programmed & Programmable Candy Thermometer | Digital Steel | $$$$ | ||||
| Winco Deep Fry/Candy Thermometer | Analog Steel | $$$ | ||||
| Wilton Candy Thermometer | Analog Steel | $$$ | ||||
| Taylor Precision Products Classic Line Candy/Deep Fry Thermometer | Analog Glass | $$ |
The Top 6 Candy Thermometers 2021
Below are my top candy thermometers of 2021!
1. OXO Good Grips Glass Candy and Deep Fry Thermometer
OXO has been crafting superior cooking tools and equipment for the better part of 30 years so there’s no doubt this OXO Good Grips Candy Thermometer is one of the best candy thermometers on the market today.
This glass thermometer includes easy to read graphics with various temperature ranges for all of your favorite candies. It also includes a clip so that you can easily keep it in place.
THING WE LIKED
- Easy-to-read, large temperature zones printed directly on unit.
- Quality construction built to last
THING WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Is slightly more expensive than other models
2. Polder THM-515 Stainless Steel Candy Fry Thermometer
Polder has been in the business of making affordable yet high-quality home goods for over 40 years now. The company frequently innovates to stay on top of the local and international market.
This sugar thermometer is of stellar construction. The body is steel and solid, with a temperature range of 90 and 400 degrees F. It has a proper steel handle and clip to attach it to a pan or pot. Because of its stellar body, this thermometer is dishwasher safe.
The insulated handle does not heat up, and so it is safe to hold and even use in the oven. Temperature readings are on the face of the thermometer, and they are large and legible.
Seeing as the body is made of steel, this thermometer does not need a protector. The numbers do not fade regardless of how long it has been in use, but that also depends on care. Harsh detergents are likely to result in the numbers fading.
The dimensions on this candy thermometer are 6.8 x 4.8 x 15.2 inches and 6 ounces. It has a bulb at about 1.5 inches, and so you want your fluids to be at least over 1.5 inches of your pot to get an accurate reading.
The clip keeps it steady when you attach it to a pot, but that may fail to work for those pots that have a bit of a curve at the top.
Unfortunately, this thermometer will not indicate stages in your candy making process, but it will keep readings accurate. The manufacturer recommends that you calibrate it regularly, following the instructions in the manual.
THING WE LIKED
- Easy-to-read, large temperature zones printed directly on unit.
- Solid construction is made from rust-proof stainless steel.
- It handles high temperatures from 90 to 400 degrees F.
- Insulated handle does not retain heat.
THING WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Cannot be pre-set to beep when it reaches certain temperatures.
- The clip is flimsy.
3. CDN DTC450 Digital Pre-Programmed & Programmable Candy Thermometer
For the 30 plus years that CDN has been in operation, the company has been credited with selling some of the best food thermometers. The quality of products has made CDN a household name not only in the US but also internationally.
This thermometer is digital, with an easy to ready display at the top and an adjustable clip on the side.
It is not housed in a tube of glass or metal, but instead, this thermometer is a stem that you place in your pot to read the status.
Being digital, it is more accurate than its manual counterparts, but it still needs a little manipulation and calibration now and then.
The temperatures range from 40 to 450 degrees F. It lets out a beep when you reach your pre-programmed stage in candy making, with the beep being loud enough to get your attention. The 9.5-inch stem is made of steel, but the sheath that comes with it for storage is ABS plastic.
It has seven pre-programmed candy stages, and each has a unique alert and an auto shut-off.
The company gives you a 5-year limited warranty. The thin tip of this thermometer makes it ideal for meats too. It needs batteries to operate, but the package includes a set.
THING WE LIKED
- Seven pre-programmed candy making stages.
- Every stage has a different alert.
- It handles high temperatures (between 40 and 450 degrees F).
- Large easy-to-read display and adjustable stainless steel clip.
THING WE DIDN’T LIKE
- It is a tad expensive.
- It needs batteries to operate.
4. Winco Deep Fry/Candy Thermometer
Winco Foods Inc had been around long enough to know what works in the food market. Over the years Winco has been in operation, this company knows that the consumer stays happy when given high-quality products at a low price.
This Winco deep-fry thermometer measures 2-inch x 11-3/4 inches and weighs 2oz. It has this insulated handle at the top that will not burn your hands as you cook or make candy.
The handle also makes for easy storage. The pot clip at the top of the thermometer enables it to hang on to the pot without affecting the displayed temperatures.
The clip is adjustable, and it will move the height of the thermometer so that you do not have to worry about the size of your pot. It is waterproof in that you can wash it in soapy water without fear of it seeping inside. It works well in hot liquids too without any leaking into the tube.
This thermometer is manual, and so you will need to calibrate it often to get accurate readings. The letters and numbers on the face of this thermometer are large and fade-free as long as you take proper care of it.
The thermometer is dishwasher safe, it is better to clean it with water and a mild detergent to keep the numbers legible.
It handles high temperatures, between 100 and 400 degrees F. Seeing as the body is made of steel, you can use this thermometer for more than candy making. It works well with meats too, deep-frying and practically any cooking that needs high temperatures.
THING WE LIKED
- Cheap price.
- It handles high temperatures from 100 to 400 degrees F.
- It is durable.
- Easy to read and clean.
- check-circle The handle is insulated.
THING WE DIDN’T LIKE
- The numbers come off if washed with harsh detergents.
5. Wilton Candy Thermometer
Wilton thermometers are well known on the market. You can trust a Wilton thermometer to last a long time, thanks to their solid construction and adherence to standards.
This silver thermometer is made of steel, and you get all the readings on the face. The manufacturer says that the numbers are fade-free.
But several reviewers have stamped this to be true only when you use mild washing detergents. It is stainless steel, and so the body is durable and leak-free.
The thermometer measures 2.1 x 0.8 x 12 inches and weighs 2 ounces. It has an adjustable clip on the base. The black handle not only makes it easy to store, but it is also insulated, and so it will not harm your hands.
It measures from 60 to 400 degrees F, which is ideal for candle making, deep-frying, and meats. The steel on the body is safe for food.
Because it is metal, you cannot use this thermometer in the microwave of an oven. Some reviewers complain that the pot clip is flimsy, but it still does a good job holding the thermometer to the cooking pot.
Thanks to its height, this thermometer will not read of your ingredients are too low in the pot. The clip also needs adjusting if the top of the pan is curved.
This Winco thermometer has a red medium that is bright and visible. The temperatures readings are available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.
THING WE LIKED
- Cheap price.
- The red medium makes the temperature easy to read.
- Stainless steel is durable and can handle high temperatures.
- Including recipe.
THING WE DIDN’T LIKE
- It is not programmable.
- It needs regular calibration.
6. Taylor Precision Products Classic Line Candy/Deep Fry Thermometer
This glass thermometer from Precision Products is not dishwasher safe.
The manufacturer advises that you wipe it clean with a damp cloth. It is 8-inches long and comes with a plastic carrying case. The body as we noted is glass, but it has a protector close to where the clip is situated.
The medium in the tube is clear but still legible even when hot air males the glass foggy.
The precise numbers are on the face of the thermometer, and the readings range from 100 to 400 degrees F. On the carrying case are suggested temperatures for various foods, among them candy and fried treats.
It has an adjustable slip on the side that keeps it holding on to pans and pots. The tip is not pointed, and so this thermometer will not be the best for meats.
It does not need too much care as long as you wipe it clean and wipe it dry. With proper care, the numbers will stay put for a long time.
THING WE LIKED
- Cheap price.
- The clip is adjustable.
- It handles high temperatures.
- The carrying case has suggested temperature settings.
THING WE DIDN’T LIKE
- It reads accurately when dipped at least 1.5 inches into a liquid.
- The medium could be brightly colored to make it easier to read temperatures.
What To Look For In A Candy Thermometer
Luckily, there are only handful things to look out for in a candy thermometer.
1. Accuracy
If the readings on your thermometer are not accurate, your efforts in candy making will be futile. Thermometers need frequent calibration to get them back on track.
Manual thermometers go off track more often than their digital counterparts and so you will need to check them regularly to be sure they read right.
One of the best ways to check a thermometer’s accuracy is by bringing water to the boil then using the thermometer to check temperatures. It should be 212 degrees F or 100 degrees C, seeing as that is the boiling point of water.
Candy thermometers do not have a reading for ‘freezing,’ and so you will need to dip it in a pot of boiling water to see the accuracy of the readings.
The manual from the manufacturer should contain information in how to calibrate the thermometer. The temperature ranges of a candy thermometer are between 100 and 400 degrees F.
2. Digital Or Analog?
Analog thermometers are cheap and common. They contain mercury or spirit that goes up and down to indicate readings. They are either metal or glass made, and they need a few minutes to settle on the right reading.
Digital scales, on the other hand, read temperature and deliver the results electronically. Some will even beep to alert you when your pot nears a certain temperature.
Naturally, they are a tad expensive, but they are also faster in delivery and more accurate. Some digital thermometers that are specifically designed for candy making can be preset to notify you when you reach important milestones in your candy making process.
3. Unique Shapes
A glass thermometer is likely to be tubular. They also come in various sizes, and most importantly most have a ball-like thing that hooks to the pot.
Even though hot liquids will hardly ruin the glass surface of w a thermometer, a hot side of the pan or pot would, which is why most have a protector for the glass.
Metal thermometers do not need protectors as steel can handle steel. They handle high temperatures and can double up as meat thermometers.
4. Budget
Before you buy a thermometer, read reviews such as the one below. It will save you from spending too much money on a candy thermometer that will serve the same purpose as one that is half its price.
Final Thoughts on the Best Candy Thermometers in 2021
If you are serious about making candy, whether for your consumption or commercially, you will need a candy thermometer. We have discussed both digital and manual types, as well as various prices that suit any need.
Even though every reviewed candy thermometer is a top seller, OXO Good Grips Candy Thermometer takes the day for its solid construction and price. We also like the fact that it is easy to maintain. It handles heat well too.
