Gift Guide 2017: For the Gear Geek

I'm giving this Infrared Digital Thermometer to every anal cook I know.  For one thing, even the most gadget-prone cook is unlikely to own one.  For another, they'll love it.  And for a third, it's remarkably inexpensive.

The thermometer measures surface temperatures - so it won't replace a probe thermometer.  But it's perfect for taking the temperature of meat on the grill or for testing the temperature of a pan, pizza steel or the oven itself.  Kind of addictive too; after a while you find yourself checking the temperature of the refrigerator, the walls, windows and ceiling.  No touch - simply point and shoot.

And should you happen to have a sick friend, it will take their skin temperature - without so much as a single touch.