Is anyone here a paying member of Cook's Illustrated's website?
My father wants one of those probe digital roasting thermometers like the one I have (a Polder from about 7 years ago that I've hardly used because I have a rotisserie that I love).
Anyway, he and I both subscribe to the magazine, and we both noticed they did a semi-publicized test of these thermometers, and did the "for the full results please visit our website..."... yeah, for $34.95.
I've done a little research on the probes myself but the results are mixed on the Polder's on amazon.
Does anyone have a membership that would help me by telling me what the results were, like which one was top rated? I don't want to give him a shoddy product.
He wants a probe one, so you can save your breath and fabulous typing skills recommending the ThermaPen, as that's not what he wants. ;-)
Thanks for any information you have.
:)
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41 Comments:
If you subscribe to the print mag, don't you automatically get access to the site?
simon at 5:05PM on 12/12/08
I have their mag but not their on line--I agree, too much for me. You might check Alton Brown's site, it seems that I remember him reviewing probe thermometers. I have a Taylor's that's worked beautifully for many years. It even has withstood the time my husband dropped the whole thing into the pool. We were opening the pool and he couldn't find the pool thermometer so of course he stole my beloved thermometer and then breathed a sigh of relief when it still worked despite it's swim.
dhorst at 5:09PM on 12/12/08
Well hello simon, you naughty boy! *moving on* I subscribe to the magazine and I get e-mails. One day last week I wanted to check a recipe and I went to CI online and it is asking me to start a membership. How do I get to the sight without signing up for another membership?
izatryt at 5:13PM on 12/12/08
unfortunately not simon, although that would seem like a good thing to do wouldn't it?
It's a separate fee and they have no plans on changing that.
@dhorst - ahhh I didn't even think about AB's site, he's the reason I bought the one I do have, all those years ago. I will also check out the brand you have. I haven't had a lot of time to do research and I need to get it/order it this weekend, so I thought I'd save myself some time and stress by seeing if anyone had the results.
Thanks :)
Southern_bella at 5:14PM on 12/12/08
@iz- unfortunately there's few recipes you can see free on their site.
They do have a trial membership, but I got burned the last time I did that (for another website) and had a hard time canceling it.
Southern_bella at 5:17PM on 12/12/08
From what I can gather off the site it's Polder Dual-Sensor Thermometer/Timer@ 30.00. Hope this helps!
bessfour at 5:35PM on 12/12/08
Wow. I can't begin to imagine why anyone would be opposed to receiving a Therma-Pen as a gift.
Regardless, the only other model that CI rated in the "Highly Recommended" category was the CDN ProAccurate Quick Tip (model #DTQ450), which at about $18 was also their "Best Buy" pick.
There are quite a few in the "Recommended" category, including the Polder. CI's complaints about the Polder were a very short probe (less than 3 inches) and a slower reading time (15 seconds compared to 10 for the CDN and 5 for the ThermaPen).
For only slightly more money than the Polder ($18 vs $15) the better-rated CDN ProAccurate would seem the best route.
Good luck.
LoCo at 5:38PM on 12/12/08
"It's a separate fee and they have no plans on changing that."
Wow, that's so lame. Especially since they withhold content from you as a mag subscriber. I'd be furious. The more I learn about them, the less I like them. I'll enjoy their PBS show, but that's it.
Iz - as tempting as it always is to play with you, let's not hijack this poor unsuspecting and undoubtedly decent person's thread... :)
simon at 5:41PM on 12/12/08
Thanks Bess!
I just saw, after going to AB's site, that the ThermoWorks Original Oven Thermometer claims they were rated #1 by Cook's Illustrated.
Maybe it was a different year?
Southern_bella at 5:44PM on 12/12/08
@LoCo- because he has instant read thermometers, he wants one that he can use in the oven, where he can set the temperature he wishes, and do other things while waiting for the alarm to go off. :)
Thanks for your info too, I've added those to my list of ones to check out. :)
@simon - Iz already knows I'm a bit indecent at times. ;)
Southern_bella at 5:49PM on 12/12/08
Just noticed that I misread your query, and I posted info on instant read therms. Let me see if I can find the other.
LoCo at 5:50PM on 12/12/08
If I had an edit button, I would make use of it by including that it was the January/February of 2008 issue the latest ratings were mentioned.
:)
Southern_bella at 5:51PM on 12/12/08
@LoCo, hehe, ok I'll scratch your previous information from my list ;)
Like I just posted, it was from the January/February 2008 issue, if that makes it easier.
Thanks again!
Southern_bella at 5:52PM on 12/12/08
Consumer Report online rates the Polder @92., Acurite @72, Taylor @67 and Oxo @64. The next rating is 49 belonging to KitchenAid.
For what it is worth......
izatryt at 6:06PM on 12/12/08
Well, in July 2007 they reviewed thermometers for barbequeing. They actually weren't all that thrilled with Polder Digital Dual Thermometer/Timer (recommended with reservations), because apparently it took 45 minutes to get an accurate reading. WTF?
That's the only review of a digital that is not an instant read that I was able to find on the CI website.
If he's looking for a thermometer that he can leave in the roast while it cooks, the one CI liked was the Polder Dual Sensor Meat and Oven Thermometer. It is NOT digital and does NOT have an external timer unit, but they said the dial was really easy to read. It runs about $10.
LoCo at 6:09PM on 12/12/08
No and I don't plan on joining. I am a charter subscriber to Cook's Ill and the privilege of using their website is the LEAST that should come along with the distinction. I sub to Cooking Light and a few other mags that charge for their website if you don't subscribe and I'm fine with that. Fine Cooking just started the same bologna and I refuse to pay for that website either. Same thing - charter subscriber. If they want to charge non-subscribers, I see nothing wrong with that but to ask even more money from people who have been supporting their publication since the first issue is a bit much.
therealchiffonade at 6:17PM on 12/12/08
LoCo- he's looking for a digital one that he can set the temperature and it'll sound an alarm when it's reached it, like the one I already have.
Mine's a Polder too, but from the reviews I've read today, a lot of people aren't pleased at all with the new ones, that's why I was more interested in what CI did uncover during their testing.
At the bottom of the little tease about them, it says to see full testing results go to www.cooksillustrated.com/february. I don't know if that helps at this point because it is almost a year old issue.
Apparently there wasn't a flawless one in the 15 they tested, so I guess it's a crapshoot.
Southern_bella at 6:33PM on 12/12/08
@ izzy, wow, I'm proud of you. Real, relevant advice--but I do miss the izzy spice ; )
dhorst at 6:33PM on 12/12/08
@Chiff - I feel your anger, as I've been a subscriber to the magazine for many years, even after fighting, and yes there was a LOT of yelling over an incident where they claimed I didn't pay, even though I retrieved my check copy from the bank where it showed it was paid, faxing it to them, I was still accused of not paying. You'd think I would have gotten something other than a sorry excuse for an apology, but I didn't, and I still subscribed after.
Southern_bella at 6:38PM on 12/12/08
I'm a website member and I don't get the magazine.
I have a Polder probe thermometer with a digital readout. I love it. You set the desired temp (you can set it for time too), insert the probe in the food, close the oven door over the wire, and you can watch the temperature increase. There is a magnet to leave it on the oven door - I leave mine on the counter and check it periodically to estimate how much time before it will be done. The alarm is long and loud - perfect! I love that I can determine the temp setting, some are pre-set. They have fancier ones where you can monitor 2 things at the same time (too complicated for me) and some with a remote so you can leave the kitchen/yard and still know when the temperature you set has been reached. I didn't bother with that feature either because I stay pretty close to cooking food, but it might come in real handy for some folks. I like mine so much that I've purchased quite a few for gifts. Hope that helps.
PerkyMac at 6:53PM on 12/12/08
That's what I have too Perky :)
That's what he wants, I just wanted to make sure it was still a good brand, because I've read some bad reviews about the newer Polder models.
Thanks!
Southern_bella at 7:06PM on 12/12/08
Then go to www.ebay.com and search for polder digital thermometer. There are several of the older style there. One that looks like mine is currently at $5 with the same price for shipping. Another for $25 is free shipping. I copied the url but it was way, way, way too long.
PerkyMac at 7:32PM on 12/12/08
I have access to the online site, and using the URL you provided, I was able to find Jan/Feb 2008, but there wasn't anything about probe thermometers. The thermometer information associated with the slow-roasted beef article is about instant-read thermometers.
cyberroo at 8:06PM on 12/12/08
@Southern_bella - I have the ThermoWorks Original Oven Thermometer, and it is pretty much the same as Perky described. For what it's worth, it's just as good and convenient, and I really like it. Other than for meat and poultry, I actually use quite often to measure the water temperature when I need to proof dry yeast, too:-).
brooke29 at 8:20PM on 12/12/08
It was defintely probe thermometers they tested, I'm looking at the magazine now, page 7, January/February 2008.
"Equipment Testing: Meat-Probe Thermometers"
argh!
Thanks for looking though, I appreciate it. :)
Southern_bella at 8:29PM on 12/12/08
@Brooke - that's the one that they mention in the little testing summary, as being the "best of the bunch" but pointing out that it has probes that "even the manufacturer admits are sometimes defective"
I know nothing's perfect, but dammit they should have shown the results in the magazine rather than tease about the results that can't even be located on the website.
The ThermoWorks website states "Rated #1 by Cook's Illustrated".
Thanks for your recommendation, it's one that I've had bookmarked :)
Southern_bella at 8:40PM on 12/12/08
I thought that if you subscribed to CI, you got access to the CI site, but not the other one, Cooks Country or whatever it is.
Anyway, on two separate occasions I've signed up for the trial membership and given them my credit card info and on both occasions when the trial membership was up, I could no longer gain access. At least they didn't charge my card.
It's all very confusing.
RegrettableFoodie at 8:43PM on 12/12/08
@Southern_bella ~ I forgot to mention that I looked on the CI website and there were no recent tests that I could find, except for instant thermometers. The older test had the Polder as Highly Recommended. (#1)
PerkyMac at 8:46PM on 12/12/08
@RF - no, they don't care if you subscribe to the magazine, it does not grant you access to the website's member's only areas, and for further FYI - paying for the CI website membership does not grant you access to the other two affiliates, there are 3 separate membership fees for those, that's according to their FAQ's.
@Perky - If I had more time I'd maybe shoot them an email about the results not being on the website, even though the magazine says that it is, but I have to get my father's present before I leave town next Friday for the holidays.
I didn't realize it would be this difficult to get the results, it's just annoying at this point. :P
Southern_bella at 8:58PM on 12/12/08
If you subscribe to the website, you get all of the magazine content online and all of the archives as well. A much better deal in my book than subscribing to the magazine. Also less to recycle and keep track of.
For a probe thermometer, check out this site:
http://www.cheftools.com/prodinfo-new.asp?number=06-0060
ccbweb at 9:37PM on 12/12/08
Unlike most food mags CI stays commercial and advertising free. In order to do that someone has to pay up. I also have been there since issue 1.
Every year I send for the annual. I don't like magazines lying all over.
JerzeeTomato at 9:38PM on 12/12/08
No! I get the magazine (just renewed after going almost a year without it) and thought it was ridiculous that the website wasn't included with your magazine subscription. I agree with Jerzee about magazines laying around but I don't treat my CI's like magazines - they're right up there next to all of my cookbooks.
caramel at 10:23PM on 12/12/08
@dhorst ~ I'm not just another pretty foodie!
izatryt at 10:53PM on 12/12/08
@ Iz- ah damn, somehow I totally missed your reply up there listing Consumer Reports results, I'm sorry!!
Thanks for posting that, I think I will go with the Polder just because I do have one and know mine works really well.
Southern_bella at 8:29AM on 12/13/08
I enjoy getting the magazines when they come out, I don't want to have to wait all year and get them all at once. It's the only magazine I do keep around, the others are perused, and discarded.
I still think they should have some sort of access for magazine subscribers, otherwise, what's the incentive to pay twice for a lot of the same content? Are they trying to do away with their paper content and just go all cyber? If that's the case then fine, I'd pay for the online magazine, but as of now, and for many years, it's remained two separate fees.
I enjoy the "hard copy" of it, I already look at a computer screen too much on a daily basis.
Southern_bella at 8:42AM on 12/13/08
I signed up for the free trial membership, then cancelled it. Yet I kept getting invoices for subscriptions to both Cooks Illustrated and Cooks Country. I guess the trial membership somehow subscribed me to both. I had a fit trying to get them to cancel both. Never even received any issues.
Mnemosyne at 10:58AM on 12/13/08
@Mnem- that's exactly why I don't do those free trial memberships anymore, I've been burned already.
Southern_bella at 12:17PM on 12/13/08
I subscribe to their weekly email (it could have been after my trial subscription ended, I don't remember) and I get a somewhat limited access to the website for $0.
This link is from yesterday's email, although the article is from June (instant read thermometers). (Sorry if the hyperlink doesn't show; I haven't figured out how to do that yet!)
http://www.cooksillustrated.com/equipment/overview.asp?docid=10221&Extcode=L8NN2AA00
suthungirl at 12:42PM on 12/13/08
Just wanted to say they recently redesigned the CI site, so the content you are looking for may just be hidden somewhere, or they missed adding it back in. I am pretty sure the bulletin board there is free (I'm a paying member to all of their stuff so I can't remember) and there are lots of helpful people there that if you post what you need, could probably find it for you.
I like the Polder probe too, and would probably do as Perky said and get the older one from ebay if you think that's the best. I have quite a few thermometers, like the digital CDN, and it always seems a crapshoot with each thermometer what you get!
I covet a Thermapen, just not the price! Good luck with your gift.
bobcatsteph3 at 2:13PM on 12/13/08
You can get this one immediately for $25/free shipping and they ship immediately. They are new in box and have more than 10 - it's an ebay store and the seller has 100% positive feedback. You have to use Paypal to pay, but that's what I prefer anyway. More secure and private. You can shoot the seller an email and see if he'd send it priority and you'd have it days before you have to leave. Sorry about the long url - I don't know how to do otherwise.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Polder-digital-probe-thermometer-in-oven-thermometer_W0QQitemZ250340951135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item250340951135&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1209%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
There is another older model closing tomorrow (they are all brand new in box) with 4 bids (now at $11.50 w/$5 shipping. On that one you'd be taking a chance that you'd be highest bidder.
PerkyMac at 4:40PM on 12/13/08
I get the magazine (because I love reading it cover to cover the moment it arrives in my mailbox) and subscribe to the online version (so I can do quick searches, etc.) but am reconsidering renewing my online membership. I just got an email that it is now going up to $29.95 (that's with the magazine subscriber discount) -- that is $10 more than I paid last year (which I already thought was a splurge). I am hoping it was a clerical error on their part.
jesslang at 6:11PM on 02/23/09