Learning how to use a food thermometer is a skill that comes in handy when you least expect it. One common problem that you can face when cooking is the problem of not knowing your food’s internal temperature.
It’s easy to see what’s on the outside. However, knowing if the food has been brought to the proper temperature internally is another thing. For the internal part of the food, relying on the oven’s average temperature will be wrong since layers separate the external part from the internal part.
Reasonably, this is why a food thermometer is a must-have. As a result, this article will guide you on how to properly different types of food thermometers for the best food results.
What Is a Food Thermometer?
A food thermometer, just like a human thermometer, is a good that measures temperature. However, as the name depicts, it is used in taking the temperature of our food, rather than that of humans.
Therefore, a food thermometer is used to get a feel of the internal temperature of our cooking.
It is used when cooking foods like turkey, poultry, beef, fish, birds, casseroles, and even hamburgers. As long as your food has a distance with layers between the internal and external environment, using a food thermometer to gauge is ideal.
SEE: Ways to Know When Your Meat Is Done
How to Use a Food Thermometer
The use of food thermometers depends largely on the type of food thermometer. Here, is a guide on how to use food thermometers based on the type.
How to Use Instant-Read Thermometer
Instant-read thermometers are used to instantly tell the temperature of your food. They are not placed into the food for a long time to avoid damage. They can be used to take the temperature of soups, roasts, and other foods with limited layers.
How to use it:
When you are ready to take the temperature of your food, simply deep the thermometer three inches into the thickest part of the food. The instant-read thermometer will take the temperature immediately. After reading the temperature, take the thermometer out. Then clean after cooking.
It is advised that you use this type of thermometer towards the end of your cooking.
SEE: Want to Recook Your Undercooked Chicken – How To Do It
How to Use Oven-Proof Thermometer
This is one of the most popular thermometers. Unlike the instant-read thermometer, the dial thermometer can be left in your cooking for a long time. It could be placed in the food from the beginning and used until the end to monitor the temperature as it changes.
How to use it:
Unlike the instant-read thermometer, the ovenproof thermometer takes a few minutes to give a temperature measurement.
To use, you can place in your food as it cooks. Also, dip it into the food for about three inches. Once it reads the maximum temperature of your meal, you can take it out.
How to Use Digital Food Thermometer
The Digital thermometer is a great choice for cooking chicken parts, pork, and hamburgers. It takes readings within seconds when inserted 2 inches into the thickest part of the food.
How to use it:
Insert the thermometer stem about two inches into the food, targeting the thickest part. The thermometer will pick up the food’s internal temperature in no time.
How to Use Thermometer-Fork Combination
This type of thermometer is shaped like a fork, with the thermometer display at the edge. It combines the function and physical look of a fork and a thermometer. It is used mostly when grilling and can read temperatures in 5-10 seconds.
How to use it:
To use this type of thermometer combination, deep the fork end of the thermometer half an inch into the food. Wait a few seconds and you’ll be able to read the temperature on the indicator.
After reading, take the thermometer out and check again until your food is done.
Why Use a Food Thermometer?
When following cooking guidelines, there are internal temperature rules that indicate you bring your food to a particular temperature in the oven internally.
For the external part, setting the oven’s temperature works perfectly all the time. However, how do you know if the inner layer is also at the required temperature? By using a food thermometer.
A food thermometer helps to keep the dressing on your foods and helps to avoid spoiling the parts with knives.
The traditional means of checking out food’s internal environment includes using knives and poles, both of which if admitted leave the food looking poked in various places. A food thermometer avoids this by providing an accurate temperature of your food without leaving the pokes and scratches.
You need to know how to use a food thermometer for the following reasons:
1. It helps to prevent overcooking
Cooking a good meal is helped by bringing it just to the right temperature at the required time. A food thermometer helps to put your food at the best temperature for it so that it is not undercooked, overcooked, or burnt. It helps you to reach the best temperature that is required to achieve the right texture.
2. It helps to avoid the consumption of contaminated foods
Food consumed when undercooked internally may contain bacteria of various types. For example, raw meat contains Salmonella, E.Coli, and a couple of other bacteria which might be consumed with it when it is not cooked properly.
A food thermometer reduces the chances of consuming such contaminated and uncooked food. You can check the temperature as many times as possible to ensure you have your food in the right state- cooked and free of bacteria.
3. It helps to bring ingredients to the right temperature
Each of the ingredients used when cooking has a temperature to be reached before use. Using a food thermometer helps to measure and confirm these temperatures. With all ingredients at their expected temperature and ready for use, you achieve more homogenous and successful cooking.
4. It is used for meal preparation
Other than using the thermometer to bring the cooking ingredients to the right temperature, it can also be used in preparing the meal itself and for checking the absolute temperature when you are done cooking.
Children, especially babies require that their food is at a particular temperature- high enough to kill bacteria, but not too high to burn them. A food thermometer helps to reach the average temperature needed and even confirms it.
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Things to Watch Out for When Using a Food Thermometer
- Know the type of meal you are cooking and the right thermometer for it to avoid misreadings.
- Choose a conventional thermometer to save yourself a lot of trouble.
- Always insert your thermometer into the thickest parts of the meat, poultry, or hamburger.
- Even if you take the temperature of your food at the beginning, ensure you take a final one when you are done cooking.
- Insert your thermometer carefully and properly. Thermometers should not touch the fatty sides of the bones for an accurate reading to be displayed.
- Give your thermometer time. Do not hastily insert your thermometer into the food then remove it. Give it the required time to read the food temperature and guide you on the step to take.
SEE: Are Food Thermometers Safe?
FAQs
When should a food thermometer be inserted?
At the beginning and the end of your cooking. However, this depends on the type of thermometer you are using.
Should a food thermometer start at zero?
Yes, it should. Your food thermometer should start at zero to get a proper measurement. Nonetheless, this is not mandatory, as long as you are positive that your thermometer is working accurately.
Should a food thermometer be cleaned?
Yes, it should. Different thermometer types require different cleaning methods. You can clean instant-read in hot water with soap, just like the digital meat thermometer.
Avoid submerging all thermometer types into water and clean to get rid of all food particles. Sanitize after washing, then rinse and sun dry.
How accurate is a food thermometer?
A food thermometer is quite accurate. The accuracy can be checked with methods like the ice water method and the boiling water method.
The ice water test requires that you fill a glass of water to the top with ice. Pour cold water until the glass overflows. Insert your thermometer and wait to check the readings.
If the thermometer reads 0°C or 32°F, it is accurate. This works because water freezes at this temperature and therefore the ice is expected to measure just that.
The boiling water method is placing the tip of the thermometer in boiling water. If it reads 100°C or 212°F, it works perfectly.
Can you use a food thermometer on humans?
Yes, you can. However, it is not a very hygienic option. If used on humans, ensure you clean and sanitize properly before returning to the kitchen.
Conclusion
Using a food thermometer is easy and it saves lots of time spent guessing or checking again and again. With it, you can get accurate temperature measurements, and avoid the doubt that comes with relying only on the food’s physical look, its tenderness, or other means of knowing when your meat is done.
Moreover, a food thermometer makes cooking fun and easy without the guessing part. Therefore, get this guide to help you use this tool properly.
Thanks for reading.
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