Our take
The Tel-Tru MT-39 is a straightforward analog meat and food thermometer, documented with a 0–220°F range and a 1.75-inch dial. The saved 8-inch stem configuration is the main practical choice to weigh: it provides reach into deeper foods and vessels, but may feel oversized for shallow portions or compact pans. The historical Amazon ASIN has not been mapped to this model, so the purchase link is an exact-model search.
A cook who wants a dial rather than an LCD, needs the documented 0–220°F scale, and has a use for an 8-inch stem..
Look elsewhere if you need an LCD, backlight, temperature alarm, memory, a stated response time, or a numerical accuracy figure for comparison. Those capabilities and performance numbers are not documented in the sources reviewed for this configuration. Also check the stem length before buying: Tel-Tru lists several MT-39 configurations, and the reviewed evidence does not tie the historical Amazon ASIN to the 8-inch version.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- The NSF listing identifies the MT-39 as a meat and food thermometer and states its 0–220°F range and 1.75-inch dial.
- The 8-inch stem configuration is explicitly identified in the saved food-service and retailer evidence, giving buyers a concrete reach measurement.
- Tel-Tru describes the MT-39 as part of its bimetal thermometer line, giving the analog format a clear, documented operating style.
What to weigh up
- A dial face does not provide the backlighting, alarm, or numeric memory features available on some digital models in this finder.
- The 0–220°F range sets a stated upper bound; this is not a chamber-temperature thermometer for measuring a hot grill or smoker interior.
- The reviewed sources do not state response time or a numerical accuracy limit, and they do not map candidate ASIN B005577B6Y to the MT-39.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | MT-39 |
|---|---|
| Readout | Analog bimetal dial |
| Documented temperature range | 0–220°F stated range |
| Probe and display | 1.75-inch dial |
| Units and controls | 8-inch stem configuration |
| Handling and protection | NSF-listed meat and food thermometer |
| Power and support | Response time and numerical accuracy are not stated in the sources reviewed |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 16, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
A visible dial instead of digital controls
The MT-39 is a bimetal dial instrument, so its readout is a pointer and marked face rather than an LCD. The 1.75-inch dial is a specific dimension in the NSF listing, useful when deciding whether the face will be easy to see from your usual working position. This simple format avoids a battery-powered display, but it also means there is no documented backlight, held digital value, or alarm to call attention to a target. It suits cooks who prefer to read a dial directly and do not need those digital conveniences.
A stated range for meat and food checks
NSF lists the MT-39 as a meat and food thermometer covering 0–220°F. That gives a useful boundary for comparing it with a recipe or kitchen task: the evidence supports readings within that published scale, not measuring a grill's hot cooking chamber or relying on temperatures above its top mark. The range is broad enough to include ordinary internal food checks, while the listing does not claim this is a multi-purpose high-heat surface or oven-air instrument. Match the stated range to the material you plan to measure.
Choose the stem length for your setup
The source record describes an 8-inch stem, and the matching retailer listing calls out that same length. Tel-Tru's NSF entry covers a family of stem lengths from 2.5 to 12 inches, so the MT-39 name alone does not guarantee the 8-inch configuration. A long stem can help reach into deeper cuts or containers, but it may be inconvenient around shallow food or small pans. Compare the exact stem on the seller's item with the depth you need, and do not assume that the historical ASIN denotes this particular version.
What the listing does and does not quantify
The NSF entry supplies the product category, range, dial size, and available stem span. Tel-Tru's catalog documents the MT-39 in its bimetal line and gives model-family construction and handling information. The sources reviewed here do not state a response-time value or numerical accuracy limit for this specific listing. That absence matters for a buyer who must compare quantified performance across instruments: it should remain an unknown, rather than being inferred from the mechanical design or from a related MT-39R configuration.
Confirm the exact configuration before ordering
Tel-Tru's listing includes MT-39 and MT-39R under the same meat-and-food thermometer family, and it lists a range of stem lengths. The evidence saved for the historical candidate supports the MT-39 model lead and an 8-inch configuration, but it does not connect ASIN B005577B6Y to that exact item. The Amazon destination therefore searches for the model and stem description instead of opening an unverified /dp/ page. Before ordering, compare the seller's displayed model, dial, range, and stem length with the product you intend to use.
Compare for your needs
Compare the Winco TMT-MT2 if a shorter five-inch probe and a 2-inch dial suit your routine better. Compare a digital model such as the Taylor 9840 if a numeric display and its documented digital features matter more than an analog face. Review the exact sources and configurations for each before choosing.
Find the meat thermometer that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
What temperature range is listed for the MT-39?
NSF lists the MT-39 as a meat and food thermometer with a 0–220°F range. The listing does not establish readings outside that stated span.
Does every MT-39 have an 8-inch stem?
No. NSF lists MT-39 stem lengths from 2.5 to 12 inches. The saved evidence identifies an 8-inch configuration, so verify the seller's exact version.
Is ASIN B005577B6Y confirmed as this model?
No. The model is supported by Tel-Tru and NSF sources, but the candidate ASIN remains unmapped. The purchase destination is an exact-model Amazon search with the affiliate tag.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Tel-Tru Bimetal Thermometers manufacturer catalog ↗ — checked October 16, 2026.
- NSF official Tel-Tru meat and food thermometer listing ↗ — checked October 16, 2026.
- Tel-Tru Bimetal Thermometers manufacturer catalog ↗ — checked October 16, 2026.
- Stuart Hunt Tel-Tru 8-inch stem product listing ↗ — checked October 16, 2026.
The decision
Choose the MT-39 when an analog readout, a 0–220°F meat-and-food range, and the 8-inch stem configuration fit your setup. Its strengths are a clearly identified product family, dial size, and range. Confirm the exact configuration at purchase, since the candidate Amazon ASIN remains unmapped and Tel-Tru offers multiple stem lengths.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.