Well I always get in to big of a hurry and usually am trying to do to many things at one time. Therefore I bought a couple thermometers at Bed Bath and Beyond....i usually run two cookers.....one for hushpuppies and one for fish....they cost about $10 each...they are about 9 inches long and 2 inches wide....have a clip on the back to hold on the cooker so you can keep the bottom of the thermometer off the bottom of the cooker.....big numbers and a wide line of red to see.