This Is the Best Gift for Grillers, According to a Pitmaster

When the weather warms up enough to host friends and family outside, grilling enthusiasts jump at the chance to show off their chops. At this time of year, especially with Father’s Day on the horizon, there seems to be an almost unlimited supply of grilling-related gift options, making it difficult to decide which ones are worth snagging for your favorite grillmaster.

We asked an expert pitmaster about the grilling gifts she loves to give and receive, and her top choice promises to take Dad’s cookouts to the next level. According to Christie Vanover, pitmaster and founder of Girls Can Grill, “good barbecue comes down to understanding meat temperatures.” That’s why she loves giving meat thermometers as birthday and holiday gifts.

ThermoWorks Dot

“When I give barbecue gifts to friends or family, I usually give them a ThermoWorks Dot,” Vanover says. “It’s under $50, comes in a variety of fun colors, and most importantly helps them check the temperature of their meat so they can make better barbecue.”

The Dot is beginner-friendly and easy to use, and its design is refreshingly simple. Its metal probe attaches to a simple digital screen with a 47-inch cable. To use it, just insert the probe into your meat, set the temperature, turn up the heat, and wait for the Dot’s alarm to alert you when your food is ready. The probe can read temperatures up to 572°F (300°C), and the cable can withstand temperatures up to 700°F.

This thermometer is the perfect gift for the griller in your life, no matter if they’re an expert or a novice. Its display is intuitive: The larger number at the top of the screen shows the meat’s current internal temperature, and the bottom number represents the target temperature. Thanks to the Dot’s backlit screen and large, easy-to-read-numbers, tracking your food’s temperature is effortless, even in a dark oven. It’s also water-resistant, so it can survive sink splashes or damp hands. 

The Dot is a leave-in thermometer, making it great for tracking temperature over a period of time. It’s ideal for cooking methods like smoking, sous vide, and deep frying, but if you’re looking for an instant-read option, Vanover recommends the Thermapen One, which has a one-second response time. “It guarantees that my meat will be juicy and delicious every time,” she says.

You can’t put a price on perfectly cooked barbecue, but with the ultra-accurate ThermoWorks Dot, you can almost guarantee juicy, delicious results every time. Snag yours now for $45 to elevate your grilling game (or become Dad’s new favorite).

More ThermoWorks Grilling Essentials to Shop:

Thermapen One

ThermoPop 2

Hi-Temp Silicone Brush

Silicone Hotpad

Air Thermapen

At the time of publishing, the price was $45.