Types of Thermometers
Food thermometers come in several types and styles and range in level of technology and price.

Liquid-filled Thermometers, also called "spirit-filled" or "liquid in glass" thermometers, are the oldest type of thermometers used in home kitchens. These thermometers are designed to be placed in a food before the food goes in the oven. As the internal temperature of the food increases, the colored liquid inside the thermometer expands and rises to indicate the temperature on a scale. Some liquid-filled thermometers can be calibrated by carefully moving the glass stem within the holder.

Bimetallic-coil Thermometers contain a coil in the probe made of two different metals with different rates of expansion that are bonded together. This coil, which is connected to the temperature indicator, expands when heated. This thermometer senses temperature from its tip up the stem for 2 to 2 1/2 inches.

The resulting temperature is an average of the food-contact temperatures along the sensing section (in other words, if the temperature at the tip of the probe is 170° F, and the temperature 2 inches above the tip is 180° F, the thermometer will register about 175° F). These thermometers come in both oven-safe and "instant-read" forms and are read from a dial. Many of the dial thermometers can be calibrated.

Oven-safe Bimetallic-coil Thermometers: This type of thermometer is familiar to most consumers. This is the traditional "meat" thermometer designed to be placed in a food before it goes into the oven. It is generally used for large items such as a roast or turkey. These thermometers show the temperature with a dial. They can take as long as 1 to 2 minutes to register the correct temperature. The bimetal stem thermometer can accurately measure the temperature of relatively thick or deep foods such as beef roasts and foods in a stockpot. However, since the temperature-sensing coil on the probe is between 2 and 2 1/2 inches long, and this probe is relatively thick, this instrument is not appropriate to measure the temperature of any food less than 3 inches thick. This thermometer is convenient because a quick glance (either through the oven window or by opening the oven door just a crack) will show how the food is progressing.

There is concern, however, that because heat conducts along the stem's metal surface faster than through the food, the food in contact with the thermometer tip will be hotter than the food a short distance to the side. This is the "potato nail effect." To remedy this, the temperature should be taken in a second and even third place to verify the temperature of the food. Each time the thermometer is inserted into a food let the temperature equilibrate, or come to temperature, at least 1 minute before reading the temperature.

Food thermometers come in several types and styles
and range in level of technology and price.

Bimetallic-coil "Instant Read" Thermometers: These thermometers are designed to quickly measure the temperature and cannot be left in the oven while the food is cooking. About 15 to 20 seconds are required for the temperature to be accurately displayed on a dial. The thermometer is inserted in the food only while assessing the temperature. Once the temperature is determined, the thermometer must be removed. It is important to wash the probe with hot, soapy water after each insertion to prevent cross-contamination. For accurate temperature measurement the probe of the bimetallic-coil thermometer must be inserted the full length of the sensing device (usually 2-3 inches). If measuring the temperature of a thin food, such as a hamburger patty or boneless chicken breast, the probe should be inserted sideways with the sensing device in the very center of the patty.

Bimetallic-coil thermometers measure temperature by averaging the temperatures along the metallic coil area. Inserting the thermometer through the center takes advantage of this by averaging the temperature of the center of the food.

Thermistors: Thermistor-style thermometers use a resistor (a ceramic semiconductor bonded in the tip with temperature-sensitive epoxy) to measure temperature. The probe diameter is approximately 1/8" thick and takes roughly 10 seconds to register a temperature on a digital display. Since the semiconductor is in the tip, thermistors can measure temperature in thin foods.

As with the bimetal instant read thermometers, thermistors should be placed in foods towards the end of cooking time to check for final cooking temperatures. Because the center of a food is usually cooler than the outer surface, place the tip (where the semiconductor is located) in the center of the thickest part of the food.

Thermocouple: Thermocouple thermometers are the fastest reading of all thermometers. They can show a final temperature in seconds on a digital display. They have very small tips and can accurately measure the temperature of very thin foods, depending on the size of the probes. (Thermocouples used in scientific laboratories use probes similar to hypodermic needles, while other probes may have a thickness of 1/16 of an inch.)

Thermocouples measure temperature at the junction of two fine wires located in the tips of the probes. Since thermocouple thermometers respond so rapidly, the temperature can be easily read in a number of locations to ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked. This type of thermometer is used primarily in retail or foodservice kitchens, but consumer models are now being marketed. Thermocouples can be calibrated for accuracy

Candy/Jelly/Deep Fry Thermometers: These thermometers will measure a temperature ranging from 100° F to 400° F. They are used to measure the extra-high temperatures required of candy and jelly making, as well as frying with hot oil.

Refrigerator/Freezer Thermometers: For safety, it is important to verify the temperature of refrigerators and freezers. Refrigerators should maintain a temperature no higher than 40° F. Food will hold its top quality for the longest possible time when the freezer maintains 0° F.

An appliance thermometer can be kept in the refrigerator and freezer to monitor the temperature. This can be critical in the event of a power outage. The food will be safe when the power goes back on if the refrigerator is still at 41° F and the freezer is still colder than 0° F. Bimetallic-coil thermometers are specially designed to provide accuracy at cold temperatures.

Oven Thermometers: An oven thermometer can be left in the oven to verify that the oven is heating to the desired temperatures. These bimetallic-coil thermometers can measure temperatures from 100° F to 600° F.

Other Temperature Indicators

Pop-up Timers: Commonly used in turkeys and roasting chickens, the "pop-up" temperature device is constructed from a food-approved nylon. Inside there is a firing material and a stainless steel spring. The firing material may be an organic salt compound or an alloy of metals commonly used in other thermosensing devices. The tip of the stem is imbedded in this hardened material until it melts, releasing the stem, which is then "popped up" by means of the spring. This indicates that the food has reached the final temperature for safety and doneness. Pop-up thermometers have been produced since 1965 and are reliable to within 1-2° F if accurately placed in the product. It is also suggested that the temperature be checked with a conventional thermometer in several places. These can also be found for sale as single-use items.

T-Stick Disposable Thermometers: A disposable, single use, cardboard thermometer that indicates 160° F (+/- 1° F). At 160° F or higher, a white material inside the plastic coated tip becomes clear. As a result, the tip changes from a white to black indicating a safe temperature has been reached. The T-Stick is made from materials accepted by the FDA for contact with food.

 

Using a thermometer is the only reliable way to ensure safety
and to determine the "doneness of most foods.

 

Doneness and Safety
Most pathogenic bacteria are destroyed between 140° F and 160° F. However, forbestquality, meat and poultry require various temperatures for "doneness."

 

 

Using the Thermometer
Most thermometers available will give an accurate reading within 2 to 4° F. The reading will only be helpful, however, if the thermometer is placed in the proper location in the product. If not inserted correctly, or if the thermometer is placed in the wrong area, the reading will not accurately reflect the internal temperature of the product. In general, the thermometer should be placed in the thickest part of the food, away from bone, fat, or gristle. The thermometer should be sanitized before and after each use.

Check the Manufacturer's Instructions First
Before using a food thermometer, read the manufacturer's instructions. The instructions should tell how far the thermometer must be inserted in a food to give an accurate reading. Most thermometers also come with instructions on how to recalibrate the thermometer (see below for more information about calibrating a thermometer). If instructions are not available, check the stem of the thermometer for an indentation, or "dimple," that shows one end of the location of the sensing device. Most digital thermometers will read the temperature in a small area of the tip. Dial types must penetrate about two to three inches into the food.

Where to Place the Thermometer

Meat
When taking the temperature of beef, pork, or lamb roasts, the thermometer should be placed midway in the roast, avoiding the bone. When cooking hamburgers, steaks, or chops, insert a thermistor or thermocouple into the thickest part, away from bone, fat, or gristle. If using a dial bimetal thermometer, see thin foods below. When the food being cooked is irregularly shaped, such as may be the case with a beef roast, check the temperature in several places.

Poultry
When cooking whole poultry, the thermometer should be inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. If stuffed, the center of the stuffing should be checked after the thigh reads 165° F for 15 seconds (stuffing must reach 165° F for 15 seconds).

If cooking poultry parts, insert thermometer into the thickest area, avoiding the bone. The thermometer may be inserted sideways if necessary. When the food being cooked is irregularly shaped, the temperature should be checked in several places.

Thin Foods
When measuring the temperature of a thin food, such as a hamburger patty or chops, a thermistor or thermocouple thermometer should be used, if possible. A dial bimetallic-coil thermometer averages the internal temperature along the length of the sensor within its probe. Thin foods usually cannot accommodate the 2-inch probe if it is inserted from top to bottom and, thus, it will not give an accurate reading.

For thin foods, the bimetal thermometer may be inserted sideways so that it will average the temperature in the center of the food. To avoid burning fingers, it may be helpful to remove the food from the heat source (if cooking on a grill or in a frying pan) and insert the thermometer sideways after placing the item on a clean spatula or plate.

Combination Dishes
For casseroles and other combination dishes, place the thermometer into the thickest portion of the food or the center of the dish. Egg dishes, and dishes made using ground meat and poultry, should be checked in several places. Calibrating a Thermometer There are two ways to check the accuracy of a food thermometer. One method uses ice water, the other uses boiling water. Many thermometers have a calibration nut under the dial that can be adjusted. Check the package for instructions.

Calibrating a Thermometer
There are two ways to check the accuracy of a food thermometer. One method uses ice water, the other uses boiling water. Many thermometers have a calibration nut under the dial that can be adjusted. Check the package for instructions.

Ice Water
To use the ice water method, fill a large glass with finely crushed ice, add clean tap water to the top of the ice, and stir well. Immerse the thermometer stem a minimum of 2 inches into the mixture, touching neither the sides nor the bottom of the glass. (For ease in handling, the stem of the thermometer can be placed through the clip section of the stem sheath and, holding the sheath horizontally, lowered into the water.) Without removing the stem from the ice, hold the adjusting nut under the head of the thermometer with a suitable tool and turn head so pointer reads 32° F. Allow a minimum of 30 seconds before adjusting.

Boiling Water
To use the boiling water method, bring a deep pan of clean tap water to a full rolling boil. Immerse the stem of a thermometer in boiling water a minimum of 2 inches and wait at least 30 seconds. (For ease in handling, the stem of the thermometer can be placed through the clip section of the stem sheath and, holding the sheath horizontally, lowered into the boiling water.) Without removing the stem from the pan, hold the adjusting nut under the head of the thermometer with a suitable tool and turn head so the thermometer reads 212° F.

For true accuracy, distilled water must be used and the atmospheric pressure must be one atmosphere (29.921 inches of mercury). Using tap water in unknown atmospheric conditions would probably not measure water boiling at 212° F. Most likely it would boil at least 2° F and perhaps as much as 5° F lower.

Even if the thermometer cannot be calibrated, it should still be checked for accuracy using either method. Any inaccuracies can be taken into consideration when using, or the thermometer can be replaced. For example, if the thermometer reads 214° F in boiling water, subtract 2 degrees from the temperature registered when taking a reading in food.

 

Information and graphics used with permission of USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

University of Rhode Island
Cooperative Extension Food Safety Education