articlesforchristians

Appliance Thermometers

• Oven thermometer: This lets you check the accuracy of your oven’s temperature.
• Refrigerator/freezer thermometer: This verifies whether the appliance is chilling correctly.
  • For food safety, refrigerators should maintain a temperature of no higher than 40°F, and freezers should maintain a temperature of 0°F or less.

Food Thermometers

• Candy/deep-frying thermometer: These thermometers can safely measure extra-high temperatures. They are marked with candy making stages and for deep in frying.
• Disposable temperature indicator:
  • This single use thermometer, designed for specific temperature ranges, has a sensor that changes when the when the appropriate temperature is reached.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s directions and use it for the food for which it is designed.
• Electronic oven cord thermometer: Best for roasts or large cuts of meats.
  • This thermometer features a probe designed to stay in the meat as it cooks.
  • A stay cool cord aches to a magnet-backed unit attaches to the oven door.
  • An alarm sounds when the food reaches the desired temperature.
  • Though designed for oven use, it also can be used to check food cooking on the stove top.
• Fork thermometer: Handy for grill.
  • This thermometer can be used for most foods
  • To ensure an accurate reading, be sure that the tine of the fork containing the sensor is fully inserted. Do not leave it in food while the food is cooking
• Instant-read thermometer: It gives an internal reading in seconds.
  • The sensor in a digital instant-read thermometer is in the tip.
  • Use this type to verify internal temperatures of thin or thick foods. The sensor of a dial instant-read thermometer is in the stem, not the tip, so the stem must be inserted at least 2 inches into the food you are testing for an accurate reading.
  • For thinner cuts, you may need to insert the thermometer sideways into the food.
  • Do not leave the thermometer in food while the food is cooking.
• Meat thermometer: Typically used to check the internal temperature of large cuts of meats, such as roasts and whole poultry, it generally is not appropriate for thin foods.
  • An oven-safe meat thermometer may be left in a conventional oven but not in a microwave oven.
• Pop-up thermometer: Sometimes turkey or other meat comes with an embedded thermometer that pops up when the food is done.
  • Even when such a device is present. the food should be tested with a reliable food thermometer to ensure that it reaches the proper temperatures for safety and doneness.

Temperature and Safety

• Cooking foods to their proper temperatures is about maximizing flavor, texture, and safety.
• Always use a thermometer to determine if something is done. Never just guess by looking at it or by the amount of time it has spent in the oven or on the grill.