{"id":2019,"date":"2022-05-10T08:18:22","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T12:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheffist.com\/?p=2019"},"modified":"2022-05-10T08:29:01","modified_gmt":"2022-05-10T12:29:01","slug":"are-food-thermometer-accurate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cheffist.com\/are-food-thermometer-accurate\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Food Thermometers Accurate? You Need to Know This"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Food thermometers are used to measure and check out a food’s internal temperature. Basically, food thermometers are accurate as they operate like any other typical thermometer. Through contact with the necessary area, they sense the temperature and display it to users. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In various ways, food thermometers have become an important addition to our kitchen. They save time and even reduce the stress of second-guessing if cooked meals are ready. They make following cooking guides easy, even for a beginner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although food thermometers are becoming a thing, many are still skeptical about how accurate they are. So, it’s okay you’re asking the question of how accurate they are. You’re not alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will be guiding you on how to test food thermometer accuracy, how to use it properly, and everything else you need to know about food thermometer accuracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE: A Simple Food Thermometer Guide for Those Who Take Food Safety Seriously<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is a Food Thermometer Accurate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it is. A food thermometer will accurately provide the temperature for your prepared meal. Placed in the right spots of food, the thermometer reads the internal temperature<\/a> of your meal. Nonetheless, the best way to find out food thermometer accuracy is by testing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking about how accurate a food thermometer is will also eventually bring us to how accurate all thermometers are. Moreover, if you trust that your human thermometer is accurate, then you have no reason to doubt the food thermometer. This is because they are built in the same way or created to function alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only difference being food thermometers are created to work specifically with food and are made to be inserted into our food’s thickest parts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Check a Food Thermometer’s Accuracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two methods to prove that food thermometers are accurate. They are the ice water technique and the boiling water technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ice water technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Universally, it is generally accepted that the freezing point of water<\/a> is 0\u00b0C or 32\u00b0F. With the ice water technique, all we have to do is get ice water and let our thermometer do the measuring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How it works<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Get a glass of ice and distilled water. Fill the glass(containing ice) with water and stir well until the water assumes another temperature. Insert your food thermometer into the water, and wait for about 20-30 Seconds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not allow the thermometer to touch the bottom of the glass of ice or the sides. However, dip the thermometer enough such that the thermometer stem is submerged. An accurate food thermometer will give you 0\u00b0C or 32\u00b0F because that is expected to be the temperature of the water at that moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boiling water technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This complements the ice water technique of determining a food thermometer’s accuracy. Already we know that 100\u00b0C or 212\u00b0F is the accepted boiling point of water. We will use this to also check if our thermometer works correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How it works<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bring water to a rolling boil (preferably in a pot). Insert your thermometer into it. Like the ice water technique, do not allow the thermometer to touch the bottom of the glass of ice or the sides. Wait for a few seconds as well- 20-30 seconds. Then take the readings. Also, if your thermometer is accurate, it is expected to read 100\u00b0C or 212\u00b0F.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE: Are Food Thermometers Safe? You Need to See This<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Calibrate a Food Thermometer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To calibrate a thermometer means to adjust your thermometer so that it takes readings like a standardized thermometer. Did your food thermometer fail the ice water test? Or rather it failed the boiling water test? Here’s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To calibrate a digital thermometer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not all digital thermometers can be calibrated. On some of them, you simply need to press the reset button. You can check the manufacturer’s guide to know if your thermometer can be calibrated or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For others that can be calibrated, adjust the nut\/screw by turning. Then do this until the accurate reading is reached. While tuning the nut\/screw, ensure the thermometer is still placed in the water, do not remove it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To calibrate a non-digital thermometer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dial thermometers often have a calibration nut under the head. You’ll find it in a hexagonal shape. Turn the nut slightly to adjust the thermometer to the required temperature. You should also do this when the thermometer is in boiling water or ice water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To calibrate mercury or liquid-in-glass-tube thermometer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This type of thermometer cannot be calibrated using DIY techniques. The only way around it is to return to the manufacturer for correction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Should You Calibrate Your Thermometer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n