Customer Reviews

Taylor 508 Connoissuer Line Instant Read Digital Thermometer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I've had this thermometer for almost 2 years and it has served me reasonably well. It is not brilliant but it has gotten the job done. Then I took it out one day and it would not turn on. After much fiddling I figured out how to get at the battery, got a replacement battery and installed it. Still nothing. After a good bit of fiddling and taking the battery in and out it suddenly started working. For those who want to try to replace the battery here is how I did it:

1. Gently pry up the SOFT rubber cover on the underside of the thermometer. Slide this off the probe.

2. Unscrew the tiny Phillips head screw hidden under this cover.

3. Then gently pry the hard plastic back off the thermometer using a flat screwdriver inserted into the notch in the side of the thermometer.

4. Now unscrew the tiny Phillips head screw that holds down the metal cover over the battery and work that cover off so that you can take out the old battery.

5. Note which way up the battery is installed so you can install the new battery the same way up.

6. Install the new battery and screw down the metal battery holder.

7. Test the thermometer to make sure it turns on. If it does not, check to make sure the battery is in the right way up and that all internal screws are firmly tightened down (don't overdo it or you will probably strip the threads).

8. Once the thermometer turns on, reinstall the hard plastic back, the final screw, and lastly the rubber cover.

I get the sense that this battery is not really designed to be replaced but I just did it and the thermometer is now working again.

I am going to be careful to store the thermometer so that it does not get turned on in storage to try to prolong the battery life.

If I was buying again I might look to see if I could figure out what sort of thermometer professional chefs buy, but all things considered this thermometer has served me reasonably well. If, as is likely, the professional grade thermometers are $40 and up, I might well buy this or a similar thermometer again. I don't use it enough to justify a really expensive thermometer.

I agree with the critiques that it is hardly INSTANT read, but it doesn't take too long. Also, the scrolling messages are kind of annoying.

The device is poorly designed and assembled. The switch labeling is poor. The ON/OFF switched only worked after repeated attempts. Very erratic. Absolutely no water protection.

I was disappointed to see the other reviews of this product. I purchased it without reading any reviews and I've had no problems with it. I used it to check the temp of lemon curd. It's accurate and works fine. After reading the other reviews, I tried it on ice water and didn't have any problems. I do love the display. The big numbers are nice. It also has a nice feel in your hand.

This is my first instant read thermometer, so I have nothing to compare it to. It does serve my purposes well, however. The usual sadistic packaging.

Exceeds expections! Great product, easy to use, easy to clean. So much nicer than the ones w/ cords attached. I would buy this again.

I bought this product at Williams-Sonoma and am taking it back after 1 day. When I got it home I tested it by putting the tip in ice water which produced a range of temperatures from 22 to 34 degrees. The display would show one temp for about 30 seconds then change. Obviously 22 degrees was very wrong, this was a cup of cold water with a few ice cubes in it. I would have understood a steady temp of 33 or 34, not 22.

When I tested it by putting the tip in boiling water, it showed a more reliable steady result.

The real disappointment came when I tested it on a steak I was cooking. The first time I checked it, the result was 110 degrees. After another minute of cooking I checked again and it showed 80 degrees!

Back to the store it goes.

I think I'll have to break down and buy the Thermapen.

It was a gift. It worked for a couple of months. Now it only reads 72 degrees. I called the company and they say I have to return it at my own expense (about $8) for an item that costs less than $20. Why should the consumer incur ANY expense for a defective item ??? I asked them to send me a shipping label -NO. So I told them that I would leave an accurate review. Read it and weep Taylor !!

Fantastic thermometer. Gives almost instantaneous temperature. I ordered this when I overzealously washed my old one and got water in the digital display head. (Don't do that).

Only three stars because delivery took close to a month and product arrived after the estimated delivery date range.

The Taylor 508 is very fast and accurate, not to mention reasonably priced. We have had one for years. I did find that after I dropped in salt water, it never worked again. My wife suggested I not do that again..This is an exact replacement. Thank goodness it arrived quickly.

I would not recommend this product. We use our instant read thermometer about once a week and this model stopped working at about month 4. We were very careful to only wash the stem and the thermometer was never submerged in water. It was accurate when it was working, but if you want something with a little more stay-power, look for other alternatives.