What are some of the best meat thermometer uses? Have you ever thought about it?
When it comes to preparing perfectly juicy poultry or meat, having a meat thermometer is absolutely necessary.
Utilizing a meat thermometer to determine whether the meat has reached the desired degree of doneness is essential for producing deliciously cooked meat.
But you probably were not aware that meat thermometers might also be used for a wide variety of other chores in the kitchen.
You can use a meat thermometer when cooking seafood, making candy, checking oil, baking bread, and much more.
Getting Familiar with the Highly Meat Thermometer Uses
It is of the utmost importance to have a meat thermometer around that is precise and calibrated.
And this is true whether you are cooking a delicious steak or grilling your turkey for Thanksgiving.
Learning how to use a meat thermometer properly ensures that the meat has been cooked to a temperature that is safe for consumption.
But it also keeps you from cooking the meat for an excessive amount of time.
To help you be on top of your cooking, there is a vast selection of culinary thermometers available on the market today.
But, to learn about the different uses of a meat thermometer, you first need to know about its different types, and how to use them properly.
Knowing the Real Purpose of a Meat Thermometer
Bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli can only be killed by cooking proteins like poultry, pork, and eggs to a certain internal temperature.
And if you cut into the proteins to check the internet temperature, it will alter the consistency and flavor of the meat.
This is where the meat thermometer comes into the picture. It enables you to determine whether or not the meat has reached the minimum internal temperature required for ingestion without risking illness.
For instance:
- The internal temperature of the chicken has to be at least 165F.
- The internal temperature for ground beef needs to be at least 160F.
- The internal temperature for pork and steak has to be 145F.
If the temperature does not reach this level, the meat is not safe to eat, and that is when you can use a meat thermometer to ensure proper cooking.
Interesting Uses of Meat Thermometers
A meat thermometer is one essential tool to have in your kitchen because you can use it while cooking so many things.
For instance:
Cooking Meat and Seafood
Whether roasting grilling or braising meat, you can always rely on your meat thermometer for an accurate reading.
It works especially well when cooking something like:
- Chicken breast
- Pan-seared lamb chops
- Filet mignon
And it is just as effective when you are trying to cook perfect seafood and fish.
In fact, it is extremely hard to cook the perfect pan-seared salmon without using your meat thermometer.
Candy Making
It is true that going with a candy thermometer is always a better idea here, but you can always make it work with your regular instant-read thermometer.
Frying Oil
This one may come as a surprise but the truth is that you can use your meat thermometer to gauge the temperature of oils.
Yes, some people might go with a candy thermometer, but others prefer an instant-read thermometer because it lets them check temperatures in different areas.
Custards and Puddings
You may not have thought of using a meat thermometer while making custards, but you should try it now.
Many people avoid cooking custards because of a possibility of overcooking, but a meat thermometer can definitely help prevent this.
Other than these, you can also use your meat thermometer for many other tasks.
For instance:
- You can use it to make pies because the temperature needs to go as high as 185F.
- You can use it to check the temperature of egg casserole and quiches.
- You can use it to check the water temperature to make poached eggs.
Not only this, you can also use the same thermometer if you are running a candle-making project.
Learn How to Use Meat Thermometer Correctly
Before you can tell when you can use a meat thermometer, you need to understand a bit about its basic functions and how to use it correctly.
Here are the steps to take when using your regular meat thermometer:
Choose the Right Spot
First thing first, pick the right spot to insert your meat thermometer.
When inserting the probe, take care to do so into the meat rather than the bone or gristle.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives information on where to set the food thermometer. The info varies based on the food you are cooking.
For instance, to get the most accurate reading from a meat thermometer while using it on chicken, make sure to puncture the thickest area of the breast and the thigh while avoiding the bone.
Tip: When preparing cuts of meat like ribs or racks of lamb, you should check the temperature of the meat with a thermometer in the middle of the cut, away from any bones or gristle.
Pick the Right Depth
Choosing the right depth is essential to get the right reading, and that is when thermocouples become a better choice.
The reason is that they only need to penetrate a depth of one-quarter of an inch in order to obtain a reading.
That is also one of the reasons why they are superior for use with thin slices of meat such as cutlets.
Because dial thermometers have a probe two to two and a half inches long, they are more suitable for large roasts and thicker portions of meat.
It means they are suitable for:
- Pork shoulder
- Ham
- Turkey
What’s more, you can also use digital thermometers, and they work fine because they can be inserted up to about half an inch deep.
Wait to Check the Temperature
The heat any food retains after cooking is actually your helper in the kitchen.
But, it can give you a false reading when using your meat thermometer.
Therefore, you should remove the food from the heat approximately 10 degrees below the desired internal temperature.
And then let it rest for at least ten minutes.
This will allow the steak to continue cooking very gently, preventing any of the steak’s juices from evaporating and causing the meat to dry. Not to mention how it makes carving a tad easier and less untidy.
Tip: Avoid repeatedly inserting the thermometer into the meat, since this will cause the juices to escape and the meat to become dry.
How to Use Different Types of Meat Thermometers
The functionality may change depending on the type of meat thermometer you use. Yes, there can be different types.
For instance:
Oven-Going Meat Thermometer
Before roasting or grilling any cut of meat. You should insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the center of the meat.
This particular kind of thermometer is designed to stay in the meat even when it is being roasted in the oven or cooked on the grill.
However, you can find two types of oven-going meat thermometers:
- A Leave-In Thermometer
- A Probe Thermometer
Using a Leave-In Thermometer
- Ensure it stays away from any bone or fat at any point during the cooking process.
- Push the thermometer a little when the meat reaches the desired temperature.
- Proceed with the cooking of the meat even if the temperature dips.
- Take the meat out of the oven or off the grill if the temperature does not change.
Using an Oven-Going Probe Thermometer
- Find the wired problem on this thermometer.
- Attach it directly with the meat.
- Now turn on the oven and monitor a change in temperature on the base unit.
Tip: If available, use settings on your probe thermometer to get a signal when the temperature reaches the desired level.
Instant-Read Meat Thermometers
These thermometers provide you with an instant reading and help you cook the meat with more confidence.
Again, you can divide these thermometers into two categories:
- Analog
- Digital
Using Analog Instant-Read Thermometer
At least an inch and a half of the thermometer’s stem must be submerged in the meal in order for it to be accurate.
In order to obtain an exact reading, insert the stem through the side of the meat cut when measuring meat that is not as thick such as pork chops or burgers.
The thermometer will detect the current temperature in around 15 to 20 seconds.
Tip: Keep in mind that leaving this thermometer in the food is not a great idea while you are still cooking it.
Using Digital Instant-Read Thermometer
The probe of the thermometer should be inserted into the food at least half an inch.
And the reading of the temperature will be available in around 10 seconds.
This thermometer makes it easier to check the doneness of larger slices of meat as well as items that are thinner, such as steaks, burgers, and chops.
Again, the thermometer should not be left in there during the time when the dish is being cooked.
Read Next: Perfect Turkey Meatloaf Temp And Time Guide
Takeaway
Once you have a basic understanding of how to utilize a meat thermometer in your kitchen, you will be able to come up with a variety of creative meat thermometer uses.
The truth is that if you have the correct kind of meat thermometer, you can use it to help you cook a wide variety of foods, ranging from steak and seafood to custard, ice cream, soups, and a lot of other things.
If you do find the proper one, it will unquestionably simplify the process of cooking for you.