Nothing beats the satisfaction of perfectly cooked meat straight from the BBQ. Whether you're grilling steaks for a weeknight dinner or smoking a brisket for the weekend, BBQ thermometers are the key to consistent, mouthwatering results. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the right thermometer for your Australian BBQ adventures.
Why You Need a BBQ Thermometer (Especially for Low & Slow)
In low and slow BBQ, temperature is everything. It's not just about heat; it's about control.
- Meat doneness: Internal temp tells you when your brisket, pork shoulder, or ribs are cooked perfectly, not just "done."
- Consistency: A thermometer takes the guesswork out. Hit the same juicy result every time.
- Safety: Undercooked chicken or pork? No thanks! A thermometer gives you peace of mind.
- Smoker control: With a thermometer for smokers, you can monitor pit temperature in real time and make small adjustments as needed.
Whether you're running a pellet smoker, gas smoker or an offset smoker, a thermometer helps you cook with confidence.
Types of BBQ Thermometers
Different cooks have their own favourite tools. Here’s a breakdown of common thermometer types:
Instant-Read Thermometers
- Fantastic for quick checks, especially for steaks or smaller cuts.
- Reads temp in 2–5 seconds
- Not ideal for continuous monitoring
- Great for: reverse-seared steaks, chicken thighs
Hark’s choice: Hark Instant Read Thermometer for lightning-fast accuracy.
Smart Thermometers
- Also known as wireless or Bluetooth thermometers.
- Connects to apps for real-time tracking
- Multiple probes (meat and ambient)
- Set alerts for target temps
- Let you kick back with guests and monitor from your chair
Hark’s choice: FireBoard 2 Drive offers cloud logging so that you can access your cooking history and six-channel monitoring, allowing you to monitor multiple cuts at once.
Digital Probe Thermometers
- Simple but effective.
- Wired probes go into the meat and smoker
- Display shows live temps
- Often includes alarms or countdown timers
- Also lets you monitor from up to 500 metres away
Hark’s Choice: Maverick Digital Thermometers are popular for their durability, accuracy and feet-up-factor.
Infrared Thermometers
- Also known as laser or non-contact thermometers.
- Instantly measures the surface temperature of your grill, plancha, or pizza stone; no need to touch or probe.
- Just point, aim, and pull the trigger for a quick, accurate reading.
- Perfect for checking if your hotplate or griddle is ready to cook or for finding hot and cool spots across your BBQ.
- Great for checking oil temps, pizza stones, and even fryers.
Hark’s choice: the Maverick Infrared Laser Surface Thermometer is a favourite for its instant readings, laser pointer guide, and wide temperature range, making it a must-have for any serious griller.
How to Choose the Best BBQ Thermometer
Before you buy, consider your cooking style and needs.
Think About What You Cook Most
- Brisket, pork shoulder, ribs: Go for multi-probe digital or smart thermometers for all-day cooks.
- Steaks, sausages, chicken breasts: Instant-read is likely all you need.
- Griddle or plancha cooking: Consider adding an infrared model for surface temps.
Consider Features That Matter
- Multiple probes: Perfect for cooking different meats or tracking ambient + meat temp.
- Wireless range: Especially useful if you're moving around the house or kicking back while the smoker runs.
- Display readability: Backlit screens are a lifesaver for evening cooks.
- Durability: Look for waterproof or heat-resistant probes.
Compatibility
If you're a tech-savvy BBQer, make sure your FireBoard or Maverick smart thermometer works with your preferred device.
Using a Thermometer for Perfect BBQ Results
Want to make the most of your BBQ thermometer? Here are some practical tips:
- Insert probes properly: Go into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding bones.
- Use two probes: One for meat, one for pit temp.
- Set alarms: Good thermometers let you set custom alerts for both high and low temps.
- Calibrate from time to time: Check accuracy using the ice water and boiling water method.
Avoid rookie mistakes
- Those built-in lid thermometers? They’re often way off, so don’t count on them.
- And for the love of cooking, keep probes out of direct flames, they’ll melt!
- Don't forget: every smoker has hot spots. A good thermometer helps you find and work with them.
Top BBQ Thermometers in Australia (Our 2025 Picks)
Ready to upgrade your setup? These thermometers are highly rated by Aussie BBQ lovers:
FireBoard 2 Drive Smart Thermometer
- Up to 6 probes
- Bluetooth & Wi-Fi
- App control with graphing
- Drive feature powers a fan for temp control
- Great for long cooks like brisket or pulled pork.
Maverick XR-50 Remote BBQ Thermometer
- 4 probes included
- Wireless range up to 160m
- Rugged outdoor build
- Excellent choice for pitmasters who want simple and reliable performance.
FireBoard Spark Instant Read Probe
- Accurate within 1 second
- Rotating display, waterproof
- Compact and durable
- FireBoard smart thermometers are ideal for grillers who want quick and accurate temp reads.
Stop Guessing, Start Grilling Smarter
The best BBQ thermometer for you reflects both the features you value and the way you love to cook. Whether you’re chasing that perfect crust on a brisket or just grilling sausages for the family, there’s a tool to help you nail it every time.
CTA: Browse Hark BBQ’s full range of thermometers and enjoy mouthwatering BBQ perfection with every cook. We’ve got the gear Australian pitmasters swear by. Because a great BBQ starts with precision equipment from Hark BBQ.
