The traditional method to check your yeast bread was to perform a couple of thumps on the bottom of the loaf. Bread bakers would listen for a distinctive hollow thump to tell them their bread had been perfectly baked. There is a new way to check your loaf of bread that doesn’t involve burning your hands on a hot loaf.
Thermometers now make it possible for you to test your bread’s internal temperature. It will tell you if it has reached it’s maximum bake time.
A thermometer can save you from the juggling of hot loaves and give you a great loaf of bread with just the right texture. You may need a little practice finding your right temperature for a perfect loaf of bread.
Some bread bakers prefer an inside temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit to create a moister, softer loaf. Other bakers prefer a 205 degree Fahrenheit inside temperature, which leaves a bread a bit drier but with a thicker crust.
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If you are ready to try your skills at bread baking with the use of a thermometer, these are five models I would recommend you choose from:
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Taylor Precision Products Dual Temperature Thermometer – My Top Pick For Bread Making
The Taylor Precision Thermometer is able to measure the surface and internal temperatures of your bread loaves. Using a probe along with an infrared thermometer, I was able to check for temperatures ranging from -67 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit. This range of temperatures is not needed for checking my loaves of bread, but it is handy to have a thermometer with dual purposes.
The Taylor Precision thermometer can also hold a setting and freeze the last displayed temperature on its screen. I have used this feature during those times when baking seems to have endless interruptions.
If I have to answer a call while I’m testing my bread’s doneness, I don’t have to remember what it said when I return from the call. The display holds the reading.
One of the best features I have enjoyed with the Taylor Precision thermometer is I don’t have to make a large hole in my perfectly formed loaf of bread.
When I want to test the temperature, the five-inch long stainless steel probe stem is small enough to make a minimally sized hole, so I don’t have to worry about the loaf drying out.
This model of thermometer has an automatic shut-off feature and uses only two AAA sized batteries.
The price is higher than the other models reviewed in this article.
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ThermoPro TP03 Digital Thermometer
The ThermoPro TP03 Digital Thermometer has multiple uses in the kitchen. This handy little thermometer will not only read the internal temperature of my bread, but it can also be used to read meat, candies, and even the oil in my deep fryer. Having a thermometer with more than one purpose makes it a real benefit in a kitchen.
The ThermoPro TP03 reads the temperature on the bottom of my bread very quickly. This model will read temperatures ranging from -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
While I only need it to read up to 190 degrees for my bread, it’s great that it can read other foods at hotter temps. When I am finished using the thermometer, it nicely folds into a base, making it easy to store in a drawer.
I can also use the magnet on the back to hang it on the refrigerator for easier access.
This model thermometer has automatic shut-off features after ten minutes of sitting idle and comes with a AAA battery.
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Kizen Instant Read Thermometer
The Kizen Instant Read Thermometer is listed as a meat thermometer, but I have found it incredibly useful for testing the temperature of just-baked bread.
One of the best features I have found with this thermometer is how quickly it reads. I barely have my loaf of bread out of the pan and promptly test its temperature and return it to its resting spot. The Kizen Instant Read provides me with a final temperature in as little as two to three seconds.
Another useful feature with the Kizen Instant Read thermometer is that it is waterproof. I am always using water for one reason or another in the kitchen, but never have to worry where I set the thermometer and if standing water is on the cupboard.
It can also hold up against being dropped, which is another feature to make it a less worrisome device to have in the kitchen. I enjoy how durable and resilient this little thermometer is as a kitchen tool.
Perhaps one of the best features on the Kizen Instant Read thermometer is its large LCD screen. I no longer have to search for my glasses or a flashlight to read the display.
This model is also easy to store as it has a large hang hole and an internal magnet giving me the option to hang on the refrigerator or store neatly in a drawer.
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Habor 022 Digital Cooking Thermometer
The Harbor 022 Digital Cooking Thermometer can quickly read the bottom of a loaf of bread. No longer does it have to burn my hands to find the internal temperature of my loaves.
Within as little as four to six seconds, this little device will tell me the internal temperature of each loaf of bread. I particularly enjoy the small 4.7-inch probe that allows me to reach the middle of each loaf I want to test.
One of the handy features with the Harbor 022 thermometer is its ten-minute shut-off after sitting unused.
This feature saves on battery use. Another feature is it being able to read inside temperatures of a variety of foods.
This model can read from -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit so that it can be used for multiple purposes in my kitchen.
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ThermoPro TP01A Thermometer with Long Probe – My Budget Pick for Bread Baking
The ThermoPro TP01A is a great thermometer to use when checking the internal temperature of bread I have baked. It has a 5.3-inch food-grade stainless steel probe, which allows me to insert the probe without burning my hands on the hot loaves.
One handy feature is the temperature remains on the read-out screen, so if I am interrupted, I can check back on the reading.
Other great features of the ThermoPro TP01A are its backlight display, so I can read the temperature without having to locate a flashlight, and it automatically shuts off after ten minutes of sittling idle.
This is also my budget pick for this article.
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Final word
A thermometer is excellent to use in baking bread and determining if the loaf is fully baked inside. There are a variety of temperatures bread bakers like to use, and you may want to test a few to determine your choice.
Rye flour bread tends to turn out better when baked to an internal temp of 205 or 210 degrees Fahrenheit.
A freeform loaf or pan bread seems to come out better when only baked until 190 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle. Choose a temperature and a thermometer and begin baking better bread.