Quote:
Originally Posted by
DarkNWorn 
Then explain why this $75 thermometer would make a "lasting impression," but for the fact that it costs $75? You think this is more accurate or gives a more instantaneous reading than a $10 meat thermometer? And even if that's the case, a 1 degree difference, or a half a second delay in temp reading would make a difference?
You are delusional if you think your parents would start using this expensive thermometer over a cheapo $10 one from any restaurant supply store. Get it in your thick skull that your parents aren't going to change how they've cooked all their lives because you shove one of these fancy restaurant-grade thermometer in their faces. In fact, it would be an insult.
In general, I thought the SF folks might have used and would be able to provide input on the Thermapen. Mostly on general quality and impressions.
Dark: No need for the insinuations. They certainly don't need a 75 dollar thermometer. I am trying to find a gift that I think they will use and wanted to justify the added cost in my own mind. They will never know or care about the cost, only how well it works for them. I just want something they will use. For a variety of reasons, I think they might be more likely to use a Thermapen than a new digital probe.
I would not be insulting my parents. When my parents have visited me, my dad had inquired how I like the digital thermometer (with satellite display/alarm) that I use. Both times, comments were made by them that they should use thermometers more often to cook meats.
It should also be noted that over the last five years my father has gone from only grilling to taking an interest in cooking a variety of dishes and a wider arrangement of cuts of meat. My parents have upgraded appliances, cookware, and the like during this time period.
I have gotten to eat a lot of my dad's new repertoire. For the most part it is great but he also has a penchant to under or over cook meat by his own admission. My mother has commented that he need to check the meat better and should just use a thermometer. His reply was that he didn't want to gouge the hell out of the meat. Whether he meant this literally or they were just bickering I am unsure.
Thanksgiving day last year, my father used his traditional dial thermometer on the turkey. After putting it in he told me he had a hard time reading the dial and asked me to check it for him. At this time, I told him he should get a thermometer like mine as it had a digital readout and that you didn't have to open the grill or oven to see the temperature. To this he replied that he would never remember to set it up and that he just wanted something quick that he could read.
Thus when Amazon recommended to me and I learned of the Thermapen a few days ago, I was intrigued and sought out further opinions. As I will be home for Thanksgiving again, I thought it might be a good timing as well.
Does my dad want a new thermometer? I think so.
What does he need? Likely just a digital 15 dollar probe. He might want something with a smaller insertion diameter than his old thermometer but not sure if he really meant this. I still like my satellite readout but he didn't seem to desire this.
Psychological factor: It is my opinion that if I get him something that appears more advanced or at least different than his old thermometer he will be more likely to use it. He has picked up new cooking habits over the last few years and I think the success rate would be higher with a new to him product.
The Thermapen and digital readout also help here as results would be more instantaneous than a dial. Even if only by a second or two, I think there is a positive psychological association and definitiveness with the digital readout.
Whether this is worth a 500% increase in price is debatable but for an extra 50 bucks I think it would make for a better and hopefully more used gift.
Cliffs: My dad has increased his cooking skills the last few years. He has bought, used, and enjoyed new tools. We have discussed using thermometers in the recent past. He can not see his dial readout well and needs a digital readout. I think the Thermapen would appeal to him but wanted to justify spending the extra money.
