How to use a meat thermometer for well-cooked meals
Using a meat thermometer is a helpful way to make sure pricey steak or Thanksgiving turkey does not turn out to be a dry, tough mess. A thermometer ensures that the food is cooked to a safe temperature, which is important when cooking poultry; undercooked chicken can cause illnesses, including salmonella.
How does a meat thermometer work? Most meat thermometers have a probe that is inserted into the food and a readout that shows the food’s internal temperature. “I rely on meat thermometers to avoid over- or under-cooking my food,” said Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab.
When should you use a meat thermometer? You may think of a meat thermometer as the tool to use when making a roast in the oven, but it can also help you with barbecue on the grill or fried chicken in the deep fryer. When probing food from a deep fryer, remove the food from the oil first and transfer to a safe surface, to reduce the risk of potential burns. As far as when to insert a thermometer during the cooking process, “If you’re using a recipe, start checking about 10 minutes before the cook time expires,” Papantoniou said.
What’s the proper way to use a meat thermometer? Here are a few steps to keep in mind: 1. Make sure to insert the probe into meat, not hitting bone or gristle. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides information on where to place the food thermometer to help you pick the right spot for each kind of food and to make sure it reaches a safe temperature.
To use a meat thermometer for chicken, pierce the thigh, avoiding the bone, and the thickest part of the breast to get the best reading.
To use a meat thermometer for meats such as ribs or a rack of lamb, check the temperature in the center portion, away from bones or gristle.
2. Get it to the right depth. Thermocouples only need to reach 1/4-inch deep to get a reading, which is what makes them better for thin cuts of meat, such as cutlets. Digital instant-read thermometers go in to about 1/2-inch deep. Dial thermometers go deep,
2 inches to 2 1/2 inches, so they are better for thick cuts of meat and large roasts such as ham, pork shoulder and turkey. 3. Do not wait until the food hits its desired
temperature. Take the food off the heat before it reaches the target internal temperature, about 5 to 10 degrees lower; then let the meat rest for at least 10 minutes. “This will allow the steak to very gently finish cooking and prevent all of its juices from running out and drying out the meat,” Papantoniou said. “It also makes for less-messy carving.” Do not keep poking the thermometer into the meat, which will drain out the juices.
Do you need to calibrate a meat thermometer? If you suspect your thermometer is off, test it by holding it in a glass of ice water for 30 seconds (1 to 2 minutes if it is a dial thermometer) without touching the sides or bottom. If it reads 32 F, it’s working correctly. If not, you can adjust it using the manufacturer’s instructions or just factor in the difference when cooking.
6 BEST GRILLING ACCESSORIES FOR 2022
Cool tools to make barbecue season even hotter.
Whether you are gathered with friends and family around an outdoor grill or dashing off a quick weeknight meal on an indoor grill, the right tools can greatly improve your experience. The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab tests grilling must-haves, from grills — including portable grills, charcoal grills, gas grills, pellet grills and smokers — to essential tools such as tongs, grill pans, brushes and cleaners.
We test these products for efficacy, ease of use and durability to find the ones that are actually worth your money. Get ready to whip up the best grilled chicken and grilled veggies with these top accessories that have been tested by our kitchen experts and editors.
Best Grill-to-Table Skewers: Proud Grill Slide & Serve BBQ Skewers (set of 4). These stainless-steel skewers’ unique heads-and-tails design makes them easier to grip and turn with tongs, and the dual-sided prongs allow you to easily cook twice as much as a typical skewer. “I was also impressed by how quickly and evenly meat cooked on these,” one consumer tester said.
Best Digital Instant-Read Thermometer for Grilling: Javelin PRO Duo Digital Meat Thermometer. This thermometer aced the accuracy tests, delivering results in less than three seconds. It works for large cuts of meat such as a pork shoulder but is also nimble enough for a fish fillet. The display offers a one-touch backlight option for improved readability. We love that the thermometer is magnetic for quick access by the grill.
Best Spatula for Grilling: Williams Sonoma Lamson Easy-Entry Turner. This pick is sturdy for safe flipping and has a helpful beveled edge for getting under foods with ease. In our evaluations, we found that the spatula can easily fit two burgers or five dogs at once.
Best Grill Pan: Weber Style Professional-Grade Grill Pan. The long rectangular shape of this 17-inch grill pan takes up minimal space on gas grills while offering a generous cooking area. In our tests, veggies and shrimp still achieved char marks, and we did not have to worry about losing any pieces between the grates.
Best Grilling Planks: Wildwood Grilling Planks (pack of 6). Add a smokey flavor to grilled meats and fish with these wooden grilling planks. Choose from woods such as cedar or maple, all helpfully labeled with what type of food they’re best suited for and with instructions branded onto the plank itself. You can even use these planks in the oven during colder months. Keep in mind that you will have to toss the planks after each use. Best Heat-Resistant Gloves for Grilling: BBQ Dragon Extreme Heat-Resistant Gloves.
These gloves provided nonslip grip while offering a high level of heat protection for your hands, wrists and forearms. Our pro found them comfortable, even if they don’t slip on as traditional oven mitts. One caveat: She noted that she did start to feel the heat when holding hot objects for more than two minutes. The company also claims that the gloves are cut proof, which adds an extra layer of safety.