A meat thermometer can help make your holiday meal a success

The table setting is beautiful, a warming fire dances away in the hearth, good spirit and tasty spirits abound, and cheerful music provides the background for the compelling conversation. Friends and family have gathered for what's expected to be a sumptuous holiday feast.

This scene is played out in family and living rooms all over the country at this time of year, as is this one in countless kitchens: The cook is sweating and fretting over the pricey roast cooking away, unsure when to take it out. Remove it from the oven too soon, and it could be raw on the inside. Let it go too long, and a charred mess could emerge. But there is a simple solution, and it doesn't entail ordering from an overpriced caterer.

The easy way to ensure your main dish doesn't turn into an under- or overcooked nightmare is to use a meat thermometer. We recently tested 11 different leave-in and instant-read models ranging in price from $15 to $40. One model, the Weber 6439 Audible, even has a wireless probe, allowing you to check food temperature or get notified when the desired temperature has been reached up to a football field away.

Read "How Accurate Is That Meat Thermometer?" for more details on our tests and watch our video (right).

Essential information: If turkey is on your holiday menu, read our Thanksgiving tips. And check out or wine page for information on the best values in reds, whites, and sparklers.