Turn out perfect fudge, pralines, and caramel with this InstaRead candy thermometer by CDN. Made of premium grade stainless steel, the 7-inch-long slender probe is also useful for testing the temperature of roasts and deep-frying oil. An oversized stainless-steel clip attaches the thermometer firmly to the side of a fry vat or candy pan, and the large 1-3/4-inch dial is easy to read. Highlighted sections of the dial show the best temperatures for different candy stages, specifically thread, soft ball, firm ball, hard ball, soft crack, hard crack, and caramel. With a range of 100 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the finely calibrated thermometer is accurate to within 2 degrees, and can even be recalibrated for continued accuracy.
While the thermometer may be used on meats cooked in a conventional oven, microwave, grill, rotisserie, and smoker, it should be removed from the meat as soon as the temperature is registered since the lens is not oven-proof. The protective sheath, which features a pocket clip and loop to conveniently hold the probe, lists various types of meats along with the USDA recommended internal temperature for each. A five-year warranty covers the thermometer against defects.
--Ann Bieri