Editor’s Note: I didn’t plan on publishing back-to-back reviews, but ThermoWorks asked if I’d be willing to test and review the ThermoPop 2, their newest digital-pocket thermometer they’re releasing today. ThermoWorks provided the ThermoPop 2 for free, but this review is based solely on my honest experience and is in no way influenced by the company.
If you’re considering buying the ThermoPop 2, or any ThermoWorks products, please consider using this link. Doing so supports Texas BBQ as we receive a small commission from each purchase, which we use to fund this newsletter. Cheers!
The product: ThermoPop 2 rotating display pocket thermometer
Overall rating: 8.9/10
Price: $35
Simply put: This pocket thermometer is a handy kitchen tool. It’s lightweight, comes with a pocket clip that you can attach to your chef coat or apron [in case you’re notorious for misplacing things like me], and it’s relatively fast and accurate. ThermoWorks says it was designed for “serious chefs and professionals.”
Usage: In the week I’ve had it, I’ve used the ThermoPop 2 throughout my kitchen and smoking barbecue. I’ve found I like it much more in the kitchen. It’s great for testing temps of chicken in a cast iron, sauce on the stove, or probing steaks on the grill.
For barbecue it was okay, but I prefer using my Thermapen ONE for reasons I’ll explain below.
Functionality: The ThermoPop 2 takes a few seconds to load, so to speak, after you press the on button. It’s slightly annoying it’s not instant, but I’m talking only two — maybe three — seconds before it’s ready to go. It’s fast enough that you’re not going to burn anything waiting. And if you do, well, your food was burning already.
As I mentioned, the backlit screen and large text make it easy to read. It also has a rotating display if you find yourself probing your meat at weird angles [which we all do at some point, right?].
Additional features: Like all other ThermoWorks thermometers I’ve purchased, the ThermoPop 2 comes with a certificate of calibration, which I find cool as hell, and is accurate to ±1.0°F.
ThermoWorks claims the ThermoPop 2 is fully waterproof, which I’ve found true after drowning it under a running faucet. That makes it much easier to clean without the added worry you’re going to ruin it [a problem I’ve had with other thermometers that claim to be waterproof].
What’s not to like: My biggest frustration with the ThermoPop 2 is how little time the screen says lit. It’s less of a problem in the kitchen, but when I was leaning deep into my smoker probing briskets at midnight, I had to keep pressing the on button [found on the back of the thermometer] to turn the screen back on. Highly annoying. It got to the point I ditched the Thermopop 2 and used my Thermapen ONE.
That said, there is a way to disable the auto-off feature: press the back button six times. That, however, isn’t a great solution either because some dolt — like me! — will inevitably forget to turn it back on and drain the battery dead. [You turn the feature on by pressing the back button six times.]
Final thoughts: If you’re planning on using the ThermoPop 2 as your primary thermometer for smoking meats, I’d highly recommend upgrading to the Thermapen ONE instead.
Personally, I found the ThermoPop 2 much more useful in the kitchen, whether it was cooking steaks on the grill or slow-roasting a dish in the oven.
Regardless of how you use it, this is a fine thermometer that will give you plenty of peace of mind in the kitchen.