This Helpful Thermometer Will Keep You and Your Kitchen Safe

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You know that old thermometer you’ve got? Yes, I’m talking about the one that’s been taped to the wall, useless for the last decade. Are you looking away in embarrassment? Don’t! We’ve all been there. The truth is, with all the wild heat waves and unpredictable weather, no one would blame you if you wanted to know just how ridiculously warm it is inside your home — even if that no-longer-functioning thermometer isn’t doing the trick. After all, the temperature inside your space doesn’t just dictate how sweaty you will be when cooking and cleaning, it can have a whole slew of unexpected outcomes.

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So, because the uncertain weather patterns don’t seem to be going away in the near future, it’s about time you knew just how hot (and humid!) your home really is, don’t you think? Luckily, the makers of our editor-favorite cooking thermometer have come up with a brand new stellar solution: the RH SPOT, a handy little device that’ll help keep you and your home safe no matter how high the temperatures soar. 

You may be wondering just exactly what the RH SPOT does. Understandable. Well, the colorful L-shaped device reads the exact temperature and humidity level of any given space with uncanny accuracy and speed. In fact, it takes a new reading every five seconds to ensure its easy-to-read LCD screen gives you the right data in real-time. This precision is especially important when it comes to things such as bread making, where the humidity and temperature will greatly affect the rise of your loaf and can totally change the final product. If you’ve made bread before, then you know: After all that hard work, there’s nothing more disappointing than dough that doesn’t rise!

The RH SPOT is game-changing for a lot more than just bread, though. Because it can hang anywhere — literally anywhere, on the ceiling, your kitchen walls, outside (it’s waterproof, BTW) — it can help you extend the shelf life of a whole host of your favorite things. (Think about that peanut butter or unopened coconut milk sitting there in your cabinet.) We don’t often consider how high temperatures can alter the expiration date on those cans, boxes, and jars. The truth is, knowing when to turn on the fan and pull some of that hot, stagnant air out of your kitchen can keep your go-to items in tip-top shape. The same goes for wine or other forms of liquor (ever had your favorite bottle turn before you drank it? That’s the worst!). It’ll help cigars keep, too, if that’s your thing. 

The helpful detector can also be placed in the refrigerator. By holding down the power button you can cycle through the highest and lowest data points, so you can easily tell if your fridge was too warm at any point in time. Finally, a way to prove that one family member leaves the fridge door open! 

The RH SPOT comes in nine fun colors (who said temp reading had to be boring?) and can detect up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Oh, and the battery lasts a whopping 5,000 hours before needing replacement. So, yes, unlike that broken old thermometer that’s begging to retire in your kitchen, this workhorse is built to last. It’s a household essential you’ve probably never thought of before but, trust us, you’ll be wondering how you went on so long without this little thing.