Ina Garten counts this durable thermometer among her favorite kitchen essentials – it's currently $5 for Amazon Prime Day

The Barefoot Contessa's go-to thermometer has a unique design that's versatile enough to work in every kitchen – and it's at one of the lowest prices we've seen

Ina Garten
(Image credit: Talaya Centeno/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Ina Garten, AKA the Barefoot Contessa, has built a name as one of America's most beloved culinary experts – and a reputation like that doesn't come with inconsistently cooked food. Thankfully, we can buy into a piece of her success for as little as $5. Her secret? The Taylor Large Thermometer – which happens to be reduced this Amazon Prime Day.

Garten, like many of us, understands that ovens can be temperamental when it comes to consistent heat – resulting in undercooked sections of food (or the opposite). 'No matter what it says on the dial, the oven itself could be totally different,' she told the New York Times. To avoid this, she uses the aforementioned thermometer, and following in her lead has never been more accessible.

Made from sleek, durable stainless steel, the thermometer has a large display with a bright red pointer designed for better visibility. It reads temperatures ranging from 100-600°F (50-300°C), and, unlike its alternatives, it's created with versatility in mind. Its unique design can be hung from a rack or stand on its own, meaning it has a place in even the smallest of kitchens. It's hard to believe you get all this for $5.

Considering Garten's seal of approval, it should also come as no surprise that the thermometer is NSF (National Sanitation Foundation)-certified, meaning it's been thoroughly tested for safety.

Garten shared her appreciation for the thermometer over on the Barefoot Contessa blog, along with her list of other kitchen essentials, including this salad tosser, also available via Amazon below.

However, while Garten didn't go into detail about exactly how she uses it in the kitchen, the manufacturer (Taylor) has a tip for making the most from your purchase. They recommend placing it in an area that's visible through your oven door, which means you won't have to keep opening the door to check the reading. This should preserve the heat, keep the cold out, and prevent any of that unwanted temperature inconsistency.


Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.