Meat thermometers are an essential part of cooking. One of the most primary reasons why you should consider investing in one is food safety. It is necessary to eat perfectly cooked food. Hence, CDC, better known as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends checking your food using a meat thermometer to avoid nasty food-borne diseases like norovirus or Salmonella.

5 Essential tips for operating a meat thermometer smoothly

1. Choose the right thermometer

The first and foremost step is to choose what type of thermometer you want to use. It is imperative to select the ideal one as it determines how your meat is being cooked.

2. Correct placement

Always place the thermometer in the correct position, i.e., in the meat’s thickest portion to find the lowest internal temperature.

3. Check regularly

Keep checking the meat’s temperature while cooking to prevent it from being overcooked or undercooked.

4. Keep the thermometer calibrated

Always calibrate your thermometer – it should read 32 degrees F or 0 degrees C when you dip it in ice water.

5. Rest the meat

Let the meat rest even after being removed from the heat – this is called carryover cooking, where the meat will keep cooking internally even after removing it from the heat.

Hence, it is essential to keep checking the temperature at different levels of meat.

Here are some of the most asked questions when it comes to meat thermometers.

Different types of meat thermometer

Food thermometers usually come in three variants – instant-read, probe, and infrared. Choosing your desired thermometer depends on the kind of food you cook.

Digital Meat Thermometers

This thermometer is ideal for large pieces of meat or meat that require handling in real-time cooking.

 Wireless Probe Thermometers

This type of thermometer is perfect for BBQ. It gives you a real-time temperature as it allows you to leave the metal probe in the meat. This helps you to monitor the temperature without disturbing its momentum.

Infrared Thermometers

These are traditionally found in an industrial food setting though, in recent times, these are also finding their way through many homes. These come with a laser sight that enables you to target the infrared beam using a point and shoot operation.

Can you leave a meat thermometer in the meat while it’s cooking?

It is inconvenient to leave a meat thermometer in the meat while it’s cooking. However, wireless probe thermometers can be left on the grill or in the oven to determine cooking meat’s temperature in real-time.

What are the best ways to calibrate a meat thermometer?

Calibrating a meat thermometer is much simpler than it sounds.

• Place a bowl of water for boiling on the stove.
• Fill a glass or bowl with ice. Cover it with water.
• The meat thermometer should read 212 degrees F or 100 degrees C in the boiling water.

Adjust the small nut on the thermometer’s backside to get an accurate reading in case of any fluctuations.

What temperature should a meat probe read?

The temperature should be approximately 71 degrees C or 160 degrees F for veal, pork, lamb, or beef. In poultry, the meat probe should be around 74 degrees C or 165 degrees F.

How far in the meat should you put a meat thermometer?

Most of the time, you must insert the probe for at least half an inch into the meat. In case the meat is thicker than an inch, you will need to go deeper. Place the thermometer in the thickest portion while avoiding bones and fats. Always look out for the lowest internal temperature at the core of the meat while testing.

Conclusion

It is essential to realize that by investing in a meat thermometer and taking time out to check the temperature regularly while cooking, you will ensure that all the harmful bacteria that a slice of meat carries will be destroyed. Bacteria can be a potential threat to the well-being of human life. A meat thermometer ensures that your food is adequately cooked, and the temperature is accurate at all times.

With these questions answered, you will find your ideal thermometer, thus keeping your loved ones safe and giving them a healthy diet and lifestyle. It’s time to say no to under-cooked meat and yes to good health!

References:

1. Choosing your desired thermometer: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/…/thermy/types-of-food-thermometers
2. Temperature:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat_thermometer