Thermometer recommendations? Firing Your Oven Discuss Thermometer recommendations? in the Oven Management forums; I agree with Mark. An IR thermometer is a neat toy, but... I find the easiest way to know if ...

[texassourdough]

I agree with Mark. An IR thermometer is a neat toy, but... I find the easiest way to know if the oven is ready is to throw a tiny amount of semolina on the hearth. If the hearth is the right temp the semolina will be yellow, yellow, black when counted as seconds. I.e. three seconds is about right. And the price is right also!
Jay

[ideaswoman]

Thanks Mark,

I am using a bbq with a terracotta tile until i can save for my portable pizza oven - $1500 AUD Small Steel Oven. I am renting so it must be portable.

My pizzas are burning on the base but cooking lovely on the top. Maybe I will get a hearth thermometer so not to waste money on something that will become redundant.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

thats not a bad lookin little oven,,,, ask them if they will give you a reference of someone who has one so you can get a real idea of how well it works

[papavino]

I picked up an IR thermometer at a local auto shop for $59. It reads over 1000 F. I think it's nice to have for the retained heat baking.

[texassourdough]

I agree Papavino. An IR thermometer is almost a necessity IMO for bread and is useful for even slow roasting at 275. But for pizza there are other ways to figure out the temperature!


Jay

[Aldream]

That is true. You can make pizza when the dome turns white. But for bread and roasting, an IR thermometer is indispensible.