Thermopro TP18 vs TP19 in a Thermopro Showdown!

Thermopro has have been long considered one of the standard-bearers for high-quality, instant-read meat thermometers. If you've spent any time online researching barbecue or grilling tools, chances are you've probably heard of a Thermoworks product before.

Whether you are a hobbyist or long-time barbecue veteran, the fact remains, a high-quality instant-read thermometer is one of the easiest ways to help improve your "q". When you are smoking meat, the last thing you want is to leave the door to your pit open for a second longer than you need to. With a well-made instant-read thermometer, you can open your pit, grab a temp reading in under 10 seconds and close it up again, preserving the heat level and the smoke draw.

Both the Thermopro TP18 and TP19 are definitely winners when it comes to reading temps quickly, while also remaining incredibly easy to use. If you're looking for a new instant-read grilling thermometer, and you want something that's going to make it super easy to get quick, consistent readings from your barbecue, both the TP18 and TP19 should be at the top of your list.

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Thermoworks Instant Read Thermometers.

If you've never used an instant-read thermometer, it might surprise you just how much more quickly they achieve an accurate temperature reading as opposed to more traditional digital or analog thermometers. Thanks to a fast thermocouple sensor, with an instant-read thermometer like the Thermoworks Thermopro TP 18 or TP19, you can achieve accurate readings in under 5 seconds.

Thermopro has been making top-of-the-line instant-read thermometers for nearly a decade and by now they really know their business. Over the years they have produced some awesome barbecue thermometers at a value that's hard to beat.

Thermocouple thermometers are different from traditional thermister style temperature probes. By focusing the thermocouple on the very tip of the thermometer, Thermoworks can create a food temperature thermometer that reads far more quickly with greater temperature accuracy than traditional thermister style probes. Furthermore, because of their precise thermocouple sensor, these ultra-sensitive thermometers traditionally have a wide temperature range and can handle higher temperatures than a thermistor thermometer. This means you can use your TP18 or TP19 meat probe thermometer to monitor the temperature of everything from barbecue to candy making or deep frying.

Thermopro TP 18

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With a sleek, space-age design, a spring-loaded temperature probe, and a lock feature for easy reading, the Thermopro TP18 is a great option for your barbecue arsenal at a super affordable price. With the ability to calibrate for accuracy, and low cost for AAA batteries, the TP18 should last you for years to come!

What we like.

Uses AAA batteries.
Auto-off feature helps save battery life.
Quick & accurate readings.
Lock feature allows you to keep your readings after you've removed the probe.
Magnetic backing makes it easy to find and store.

What we don't like.

Spring-loaded probe release feels unnecessary.
The display is hard to read in direct sunlight.
Build is a little flimsy.

Hows does it look and feel?

Out of the box, the Thermopro TP18 feels like a space-age thermometer. With a rounded profile, a sleeky folding probe, and a silver finish it is reminiscent of the mind eraser prop from Men in Black. The back of the thermometer has an easy-to-access battery compartment and it takes AAA batteries which is really nice as they are much easier to find than watch batteries.

The display is a large black digital window with a strong backlight and a super easy-to-read digital readout. At the top of the thermometer is the hinge and towards the bottom is a small kitchen hook that makes it easy to hang the Thermopro TP18 from a tool rack or hook.

Lock feature.

The front of the TP18 meat thermometer features a dedicated power button and a lock/temperature unit button. While the switching between temperature units is pretty standard on most meat thermometers, the ability to lock a temperature reading is a feature that can really help you achieve incredible results, especially with barbecue. To use the lock feature you press the lock button after taking a temperature reading and when you remove the thermometer the reading continues to persist until you unlock the temperature probe. This helps keep the time you need to keep your pit open to a minimum as well as keeping your face free of excess smoke or irritants from your barbecue.

Spring-loaded thermometer probe.

One feature that is highly visible on the Thermopro TP18 is the spring-loaded stainless steel thermometer probe button front and center at the very top of the thermometer body. This large black button operates like a spring-loaded knife and releases the thermometer probe from its folded position with a simple push.

The spring itself isn't overly hard to depress and the probe opens with a relatively smooth action. Opening the thermometer doesn't turn the probe itself on as some other models might, and you'll still have to press the power button to switch it on.

Closing the stainless steel probe can be a little touchy because of the recesses storage slot for the probe itself. Make sure to close it fully until you hear the lock click into place.

Using the Thermopro TP18

Once I had my new Thermopro TP18 kitchen thermometer unpacked and ready to go I headed out to take a few quick test readings. Once outside in the glare of my backyard, I noticed the display was a little more difficult to read than I had anticipated. The red color of the digital read-out washes out a little bit in high light and the rounded bevel of the thermometer itself creates a glare that can be a little frustrating.

In low light, however, this food thermometer is super easy to read. For longer smoking events like marathon brisket sessions, it will definitely look great when the sun goes down thanks to the backlit display.

Taking a reading with the TP18.

Once I'd gotten the thermometer open (it took a second to figure out the push button switch) I got down to testing some temperatures with the TP18. I had been smoking a pork shoulder to christen the thermometer so I opened the lid to my barrel smoker and popped the probe into the pork butt along the shoulder blade.

This thermometer reads incredibly quickly. It was in the pork shoulder for less than 2 seconds before it reached an approximate reading and only took 3.25 seconds to achieve a stable and accurate temperature reading.

While the display was difficult to read in direct sunlight, in the shade of my barrel smoker it was bright and easy to understand. The lock feature was also incredibly useful. After the reading stabilized I pressed the lock button and immediately closed the pit lid to help maintain an even temperature while my barbecue was cooking.

The nice thing about the lock feature is it helps get the pit closed up quickly without worrying about losing your internal temperature reading. Once the lock button is pressed it holds the temperature reading on the display until it is pressed again. Keeping your pit temperature even and consistent is the building block of good barbecue and the lock feature definitely helps.

Thermopro TP 19

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While the TP18 has a more rounded, space-age appearance, the Thermopro TP19 is a much more familiar design, with hard lines, a heavy-duty build, and a large profile. Thanks to AAA batteries and an auto-off feature, the TP19 is almost always ready to go when you open the probe to take a ready.

With a large, easy-to-read display, advanced motion sensor, and a stainless steel thermocouple temperature probe, the TP19 is a great option if you are looking for a high-quality, straightforward barbecue temperature probe.