Ina Garten Swears By This $8 Oven Thermometer

Celebrity chef Ina Garten has been cooking and baking her way through recipes for years and years, so it’s no wonder that she’s found a collection of kitchen gear that does exactly what she needs. Among her beloved Le Creuset Dutch ovens, Wusthoff knives and Chef’sChoice knife sharpeners lies one kitchen tool you and I probably don’t have but desperately need. 

Small but mighty, an oven thermometer can prevent a disastrous situation. Garten doesn’t go without it in her kitchen, noting this specific Taylor option that’s just $8. In an article with Food Network, Garten warned readers to “always use one,” adding that “no matter what it says on the dial, the temperature in the oven could be totally different.” This is especially true if you’re like me and you’re renting an apartment or have an older oven—no two ovens are the same, it seems. Knowing the exact temperature means you can bake, braise, roast or broil your food at the right settings, yielding accurate results. Just add this to your cart, and you’re ready to make one of Garten’s coveted recipes with confidence. I know I am. 

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Taylor Large 2.5-Inch Dial Kitchen Cooking Oven Thermometer

This thermometer is designed for accurate and safe temperature readings. It features a large 2.5-inch analog display with temperatures ranging from 100 to 600℉, including Celsius temperatures from 50 to 300℃. To help you reach your target temp, a large red dial points to the exact temperature for easy monitoring. The front of the probe is made of oven-safe glass, while the rest is of durable stainless steel. 

You can use it in one of two ways: Use the top hook design to hang it within your oven or use the built-in stand to sit it on an oven shelf. The thermometer is also angled, making it easy to read regardless of where you place it. 

The thermometer is great for watching preheated temperatures as well as tracking the oven’s temperature throughout the entire baking process since it can fluctuate, especially when you open the oven door. This is especially helpful for baking, where even small temperature changes can drastically impact how cakes, cookies, muffins, and other pastries rise and brown. That’s exactly why this thermometer is a must-have for me. 

We don’t just have to take Garten’s word for it—over 6,200 shoppers give this thermometer a five-star rating for its disaster-preventing design. One reviewer said it has “saved” them from a lifetime of burnt recipes. “This product was a lifesaver, [and] we are now able to accurately set our oven. It sits perfectly on the oven rack but doesn’t take much space at all,” they wrote. “Works perfectly, super inexpensive, everyone should have one,” a second person wrote. “Buy it if you have any doubts about your oven. Or even if you don’t—it might surprise you. I just know that when I move next time, I’m taking this thing with me,” said a third shopper. 

Take it from Garten and thousands of others and pick up this simple $8 thermometer now while you’re whipping up all of your favorite winter recipes. It’s in my shopping cart, too. 

Shop More Ina Garten-Approved Kitchen Gear: 

OXO Salad Spinner 

Anchor Hawking 10-Piece Glass Bowl Set

Vitamix 5200 Blender 

Cuisinart 11-Cup Pro Custom Food Processor 

Kuhn Rikon Swiss Peeler 

At the time of publishing, the price was $8.