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Dial Oven-Safe
(Bimetal)
- Reads in 1-2 minutes
- Place 2-2½" deep in thickest part of food
- Can be used in roasts, casseroles, and soups
- Not appropriate for thin foods
- Can remain in food while it's cooking
- Heat conduction of metal stem can cause
false high reading
- Some models can be calibrated; check
manufacturer's instructions
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Digital Instant-Read
(Thermistor)
- Reads in 10 seconds
- Place at least "½" deep
- Gives fast reading
- Can measure temperature in thin and thick
foods
- Not designed to remain in food while it's
cooking
- Check internal temperature of food near the
end of cooking time
- Some models can be calibrated; check
manufacturer's instructions
- Available in "kitchen" stores
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Thermometer-Fork
Combination
- Reads in 2-10 seconds
- Place at least "¼" deep in thickest part of
food
- Can be used in most foods
- Not designed to remain in food while it is
cooking
- Sensor in tine of fork must be fully
inserted
- Check internal temperature of food near end
of cooking time
- Cannot be calibrated
- Convenient for grilling
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Dial Instant-Read
(Bimetal)
- Reads in 15-20 seconds
- Place 2-2½" deep in thickest part of food
- Can be used in roasts, casseroles, and soups
- Temperature is averaged along probe, from
tip to 2-3" up the stem
- Cannot measure thin foods unless inserted
sideways
- Not designed to remain in food while it is
cooking
- Use to check the internal temperature of a
food at the end of cooking time
- Some models can be calibrated; check
manufacturer's instructions
- Readily available in stores
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Thermocouple
- Reads in 2-5 seconds
- Place ¼" or deeper, as needed
- Gives fastest reading
- Good for measuring temperatures of thick and
thin foods
- Not designed to remain in food while it's
cooking
- Check internal temperature of food near the
end of cooking time
- Can be calibrated
- More costly; may be difficult for consumers
to find in stores
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Disposable Temperature
Indicators (Single-use)
- Reads in 5-10 seconds
- Place approximately ½" deep (follow
manufacturer's directions)
- Designed to be used only once
- Designed for specific temperature ranges
- Should only be used with food for which they
are intended
- Temperature-sensitive material changes color
when the desired temperature is reached
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Pop-Up
- Commonly used in turkeys and roasting
chickens
- Pops up when food reaches final temperature
for safety and doneness
- Checking the temperature in other parts of
the food with a conventional food thermometer is
recommended
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Oven Probe with
Cord
- Can be used in most foods
- Can also be used outside the oven
- Designed to remain in the food while it is
cooking in oven or in covered pot
- Base unit sits on stovetop or counter
- Cannot be calibrated
Read more about grilling safety.
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