Every kitchen has limited counter space and a limited budget, so every new gadget has to justify itself. That is exactly what we are doing here with the this model with Fine-Mesh Strainer and the Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer – Waterproof BBQ & Kitchen, two popular picks for busy weeknights that solve very different problems. One streamlines this model; the other is built for meat thermometer. We will walk through both, compare them directly, and help you decide which tool — if either — belongs in your kitchen.
Meet the this model with Fine-Mesh Strainer
Bacon drippings are liquid gold for frying eggs and roasting potatoes, but straining them through a separate sieve is a hassle. The this model strains as you pour through its built-in fine-mesh lid, so the jar in your cupboard holds only clean, ready-to-use fat.
Where it really shines is in the daily grind. The kind of task it handles is one you repeat constantly, so even a small improvement in speed or ease compounds fast over a month of breakfasts, weeknight dinners, or weekend projects. It is the rare gadget that does not ask you to change your habits — it just makes the habits you already have less annoying.
You can check out the this model this model here.
Related picks worth a look: oven mitts and oil sprayer.
Meet the Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer – Waterproof BBQ & Kitchen
Cutting into a roast to check doneness lets all the juices escape. The Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer ends the guessing: insert the probe, read the temperature in seconds on the LCD, and pull your meat at exactly the right moment, whether you are grilling, roasting, or smoking.
Durability of usefulness is what counts — plenty of gadgets are fun for a week. This one addresses a recurring need rather than a novelty craving, which is why it tends to stick around. When a tool solves a weekly (or daily) annoyance, it earns permanent residence.
You can check out the meat thermometer meat thermometer here.
Getting the Most Out of Your Pick
Whichever tool you choose, these habits will help you get full value from it:
- Do not baby it. These are workhorse tools, not museum pieces. Using them confidently — rather than gingerly — is how you discover what they are really capable of.
- Pair it with your existing routine. The best time to use a new tool is during a task you already do. Piggybacking on habits beats trying to build new ones from scratch.
- Use it for the small jobs too. People tend to save tools for big occasions, but the real value is in the everyday wins. The five-minute task counts just as much.
- Read the basics once, then stop overthinking. Both of these are designed to be intuitive. A quick look at how each works is enough — after two or three uses, it will feel automatic.
- Teach someone else in the house to use it. The thirty seconds it takes to show a partner or kid pays off every time they handle that task instead of you.
Head-to-Head: this model vs Meat Thermometer
Here is how the two stack up when you compare them directly.
- Learning curve: you can hand either to a total beginner with a thirty-second explanation. Neither requires technique, timing, or practice to get right.
- Speed: for busy weeknights, every minute counts. The bacon grease keeper is designed around quick, repeatable results, while the meat thermometer saves time by removing a tedious manual step.
- Versatility: the meat thermometer arguably covers more situations across different recipes, while the bacon grease keeper goes deeper on its one specialty. Specialists versus generalists, as usual.
- Everyday value: the bacon grease keeper pays off through frequency — it handles a task you repeat constantly. The meat thermometer pays off through relief — it removes a chore you probably dislike.
- Who notices the difference: Busy Weeknights will feel the bacon grease keeper improvement almost immediately. The meat thermometer improvement is quieter but just as real over time.
- Ease of use: both are beginner-friendly, but the bacon grease keeper has the edge for pure simplicity — there is almost nothing to learn. The meat thermometer takes a minute to get comfortable with, then becomes second nature.
Neither of these is a gimmick, which is why the comparison is genuinely useful. They are both practical, both affordable, and both aimed at real kitchen friction. Your call comes down to which friction bothers you more.
Which Tool Wins for Busy Weeknights?
Here is what nobody tells you about weeknight gadgets: the best one is the one you will actually use when you are tired. Fancy features do not matter at 6:45 PM on a Wednesday. The bacon grease keeper wins on pure low-effort reliability — it asks almost nothing of you. The meat thermometer wins if the specific chore it handles is the thing that currently makes you order takeout. Both are legitimate weeknight upgrades; the tiebreaker is which pain point is more acute in your house right now.
The Verdict
The verdict: go with the Bacon Grease Keeper with Fine-Mesh Strainer. For busy weeknights, the deciding factor is frequency — the bacon grease keeper job simply comes up more often, so the bacon grease keeper’s value compounds faster. The meat thermometer is no slouch, and in a different household it might win outright. But for your situation, the bacon grease keeper is the pick that will feel like money well spent within the first week.
Also in the same lane: pan stirrer and splatter screen.
First order with us? Take 10% off with code WELCOME10 at checkout. It is our way of saying welcome — and making your pick a little easier on the wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping take?
Orders ship to Canada in 5–12 business days and to the US in 7–15 business days. International orders typically arrive within 10–25 business days. You will receive tracking information once your order is on its way.
What is your return policy?
We offer 30-day returns on unused items in their original packaging. If something is not right, reach out and we will make it right — no hoops, no fine print designed to trap you.
Do I really need both, or is one enough?
Honestly, one is enough to start. They solve different problems, so there is no overlap forcing you to buy both — pick the one that addresses your current frustration, and only add the other later if you find yourself wanting it. Plenty of kitchens run perfectly happy with just one.
Is this a good gift for someone who likes cooking?
Yes, both make great gifts because they are practical without being boring. The bacon grease keeper suits anyone who appreciates consistent, easy results, and the meat thermometer is the kind of thing people would not buy for themselves but love receiving. Either one beats another novelty item that gathers dust.
Is the bacon grease keeper or the meat thermometer better for busy weeknights?
It depends on your bottleneck. If bacon grease keeper is a daily event in your kitchen, the bacon grease keeper will pay off faster. If meat thermometer is the thing that slows you down or frustrates you, the meat thermometer is the smarter pick. Both are well-suited to busy weeknights; the right one is whichever fixes your most frequent frustration.
Which is better for meal prep sessions?
The bacon grease keeper shines in meal prep because it delivers the same result every time — consistency across a big batch is exactly what preppers need. The meat thermometer helps by speeding through a repetitive step. If your prep centers on bacon grease keeper, start with the bacon grease keeper; if the fiddly steps slow you down, the meat thermometer might save more total time.