any cheap mercury thermometer can help you become in-tune with natures temperature cycles easily and accurately... ive had one in the yard to check when i need to bring my parrot inside. i could win a game show about guessing the temperature...
If you cannot measure it you cannot manage it. Thermometers let you measure your food. Just buy the thermapen for your instant read. Get one of those infrared guns for checking pan temp. Knowing how hot things are is amazing.
