How to become a cooking master using a meat thermometer

Using a food thermometer to determine when your dish is cooked is one of the secrets to becoming a master home chef. Not only does using a food thermometer eliminate the uncertainty of deciding when your chicken is done, but it’s also a requirement for food safety. Meat thermometer comes in two types: the oven going and the instant read, which is available in both digital and non-digital forms.

When cooking using a meat thermometer, ensure you insert it at the thickest part of the meat. For instance, if you are cooking chicken breasts, and you would like to check for the chicken breast internal temp,  you have to get to the thickest part and insert it there.

However, here are some of the best tips to help you become the best cooking master using a meat thermometer.

1. Table of Contents

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   Choose the required thermometer

Meat thermometers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The two most basic styles, the bimetallic and bulb thermometers, can be found in most grocery stores. These are low-cost and easy-to-find options, but they can take a long time to give a temperature reading and aren’t as accurate as other options. Furthermore, their glass components are prone to breakage.

The readings from digital instant-read thermometers are far more accurate. A digital instant-read thermometer provides an instantaneous reading and is simple to use. On the other hand, a digital probe thermometer, which links the probe you push into the meat to a separate device with a temperature reading and programmable alarm settings, is ideal for roasting or smoking big portions of meat, such as turkey or beef, for lengthy periods.

2. Ensure the thermometer is correctly placed

The lowest internal temperature-the most precise temperature for the meat’s core-is what you’re aiming for. For the most accurate estimation, place the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat, away from fat and bone. Most thermometers require you to place the probe at least 1/2 inch into the flesh, but if the meat is thicker than an inch, you’ll want to go deeper.

3. Check the meat early and often

For bigger chops of meat, ensure you check the temperature 30 minutes before the anticipated time of removal. You may check for temperature 5 to 10 minutes earlier for small chops. This is because the meat will continue cooking even once you get it out of the heat, a process called the carryover period. Therefore, ensure you remove large chops of meat from the fire when they are 5 degrees below the target doneness temperature. Allow 5 to 10 minutes for resting time on these bigger slices, and the temperature will increase to ideal doneness, and the fluids will have ample opportunity to redistribute throughout the meat.

4. Ensure you calibrate your thermometer

Immerse the tip of your thermometer into a basin of ice water to quickly see if it’s accurate. It should say 32°F (0°C), the temperature at which water freezes. If your digital thermometer has a reset or recalibrates button, you can probably fix it by following the manufacturer’s instructions. The sooner you accomplish that, the sooner you’ll be able to return to cooking adequately cooked meat.

To sum up, to become a master chef, you must have a food thermometer and ensure you follow the above tips. This will ensure your food is always well cooked.