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Cook: Use a Meat Thermometer And Take the Guesswork Out of Cooking

Why Use a Meat Thermometer?
Which Type of Meat Thermometer Should You Buy?
How Accurate are Meat Thermometers?
Where to Place the Meat Thermometer?
When to Insert a Meat Thermometer
Other Safety Tips
Minimum Internal Cooking Temperatures

Which Type of Meat Thermometer Should You Buy?

There are several types of meat thermometers available at grocery, hardware, or kitchen supply stores. They include:

  • Regular, oven-proof types - go into the food at the beginning of the cooking time and can be read easily.
  • Instant-read and digital types - not intended to go in the food in the oven, but give you a quick reading when inserted into the food and can be read easily.
  • Pop-up types - commonly found in poultry, but may be purchased for other types of meats.
  • Microwave-safe types - specially designed only for use in microwave ovens.
Tip: Make sure the thermometer you buy is designed for meat and poultry. There are other types of thermometers, for example, candy thermometers. Read the package label carefully to make sure that you are buying the type designed for use with meats.
When buying a meat thermometer, look for an easy to read dial, made with stainless steel and a shatter-proof clear lens. Meat thermometers that can be calibrated for accuracy and digital thermometers are also available.
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