Choosing the Right Thermometer
Make the Perfect Holiday Meal
For many of us, the holidays means quality time with loved ones, football on the TV, and of course, tasty turkey and ham! There’s nothing better than a perfectly roasted turkey or baked ham…except maybe those leftover turkey and ham sandwiches.
To make things even more interesting, people are exploring other delicious, non-traditional ways to prepare their holiday feasts. In the case of the Thanksgiving bird, this can include grilling, smoking, rotisserie roasting and even deep frying. In the case of a ham, that can include using a slow cooker, grilling and even cooking ham steaks on a skillet.
No matter what method you choose, exercising proper food safety is imperative. And when it comes to food safety, your most important tool is a thermometer.
But which is the right one? This handy guide will walk you through the different types of thermometers offered by AcuRite, and the correct way to use them.
For Baking, Roasting, and Smoking
Oven-Safe Thermometers or Digital Thermometers with a Probe
Depending on your needs, we offer two types of thermometer for baking, roasting or smoking the main course.
As the name implies, Oven-Safe Thermometers can be left in the oven or smoker throughout the cooking process. You simply insert a stainless steel temperature probe deep into an uncooked turkey or ham, being careful not to touch bone, then stick the meat into the oven. Make sure the face of the thermometer is facing the oven window, if it has one, for easy viewing. As an added convenience, AcuRite’s analog oven-safe thermometer models display proper cooking temperatures right on the dial.
Digital Meat Thermometers with a wired probe make this process even easier. Like oven-safe thermometers, the probe is inserted into the meat during cooking, but the temperature probe features a heat-safe wire that the oven door can close over, leading to a digital display that conveniently sits on the countertop or magnetically adheres to the oven. The display shows the current meat temperature and allows you to set an alarm for when dinner reaches your desired temperature.
As a general guideline, poultry should be cooked to 165°F, fresh/raw ham should be cooked to 160°F, and pre-cooked can be heated to 140°F. Simply cook to the recommended temperature and enjoy. It’s that easy!
Oven-Safe Meat Thermometers:
Thermometers for baking or roasting meat in the oven.
Deep Fry Thermometer
When deep-frying, it’s crucial to accurately monitor the temperature of the frying oil. For this, you need a deep-fry thermometer.
For frying a turkey, experts generally recommend maintaining a temperature between 350°F and 375°F and cooking the turkey for between 3 and 5 minutes per pound. So in other words, a 10lb bird would cook for about 40 minutes.
AcuRite offers several candy and deep fry thermometers. These thermometers have some handy features, such as adjustable clips allowing you to fine-tune how deep the thermometer is submerged in the oil. In addition, easy-to-read charts right on the dial always let you know the correct and safe temperature range.
Deep Fry Thermometers:
Accurately monitor the temperature of frying oil.
Digital Meat Thermometer with Timer and Pager
When using a grill in November, sometimes you'd rather stay warm inside, enjoying time with family and friends without fear of overcooking the food. These are instances where a digital thermometer with a timer and pager comes in handy.
Simply insert the probe into the meat, run the wire outside the grill or smoker, and close the lid. The probe plugs into a digital unit display that shows the current meat temperature and estimated time left to cook until the desired temperature. Even more conveniently, these thermometers include a wireless pager that receives a signal from the display, alerting you when the meat has reached the desired temperature.
Instant Read Thermometer
While they look similar to an oven-safe meat thermometer, instant-read thermometers serve a much different, and more versatile purpose. In fact, these handy items can be a cook’s best friend.
As the name implies, they quickly measure temperature, allowing you to seamlessly monitor your cooking without disrupting workflow. As such, they’re perfect for spot-checking things like broths and soups.
Additionally, as your ham or bird cooks, it’s good practice to periodically use your instant-read thermometer to spot check a variety of locations in the meat (in addition to where the primary meat thermometer is located). This helps ensure it’s cooked evenly, and that the entire dish will be safe for your family to consume.
Additional Handy Kitchen Thermometers
If you want optimum food safety and a tasty meal your family won’t soon forget, thermometers can help you every step of the way. Here are some other AcuRite thermometer products worth keeping on hand:
- Grill Surface Thermometer: Lets you know when your grill is at the optimum temperature before you begin to cook
- Oven Thermometer: Helps you maintain precise oven temperatures, crucial to achieving your famous flaky pie crust
- Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer: Ensures your food is stored at a safe temperature.
Further Reading
Turkey resources: http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/types/turkey/
Meat resources (including ham): http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/types/meat/index.html
