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Using a meat thermometer will help you achieve the correct temperature for your dinner and have a wonderful meal every time. You won’t have to predict the temperature of your meat, and you won’t have to worry about it burning or overcooking.

Most meat thermometers are oven-safe and may be left in the oven. These devices can withstand high temperatures. That is, you will not have to worry about extreme temperatures.

Even while this is the general rule, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to use such a thermometer in the oven while cooking your supper.

What is a Meat Thermometer?

A meat thermometer is a recommended gadget for all kitchens to ensure proper food safety. Using a thermometer means that you can check if the meat is properly cooked without having to cut into it to have a look.

Other than food safety, cooking food to its best serving temperature is another reason why you should use a meat thermometer.

The vast majority of meat thermometers will have a long(ish) metal rod on the end of them, which you poke into the meat to take a reading from inside the meat. Several different thermometers can be purchased for the kitchen, so make sure that the one you buy states that it is for meat.

To protect yourself and your family from foodborne infections, always fully prepare any kind of meat before serving. Poultry should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165°F, whereas pork should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 145°F.

Insert the meat thermometer into the center of the meat, ensuring sure that the tip of the thermometer does not come into contact with any bones or the oven pan.

When taking the temperature of a bigger portion of meat, always take it from the thickest area of the joint. This will be on the thigh for fowl. Insert the thermometer into the side of the meat in leaner slices of meat.

Types of Meat Thermometer

Whether or not can you leave a meat thermometer in the oven will entirely depend on what type of meat thermometer you buy or already own. Here are the different types.

Instant-read Meat Thermometers

These thermometers provide a reading in 5 to 10 seconds, while some are significantly faster than others. They are not oven-safe, so if you’re cooking meat in the oven, you’ll have to take it out for a few minutes to obtain a reading.

Depending on the temperature of the meat, you may either continue cooking it or leave it out to rest while you finish everything else.

Oven-safe Meat Thermometers

Oven-safe meat thermometers are exactly what they sound like: oven-safe. If your thermometer does not state that it is oven-safe, you should presume that it is not.

Oven-safe meat thermometers may be analog dial thermometers or digital probe thermometers that can be left in the meal during cooking. Newer thermometer devices now have wifi features, allowing you to monitor your meals from a distance. This sort of thermometer is represented by the ThermoPro TP-20 wireless thermometer.

These are ideal for cooking joints of meat since you may set the thermometer while the meat is still raw and cold (finding the appropriate location is also easy). Place your meat in the oven and keep an eye on the temperature! When the thermometer registers the proper temperature, you know your meat is done and ready to eat.

Tips for Using a Meat Thermometer

Test your thermometer regularly

Put your meat thermometer in a dish of cold water to ensure that it is giving you accurate temperature readings. In ice water, your temperature should be 32 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, if it reads anything other than this, you’ll need to either reset/calibrate your thermometer or purchase a new one.

Keep it clean

It is critical to clean a meat thermometer after each usage. Wash your meat thermometer after each use to avoid cross-contamination. To prevent rust, rinse the probe end with hot water or a food-safe sanitizer and then thoroughly dry.

Practice position

By inserting the thermometer into the cold meat, you may rehearse where you want to take the reading. This is particularly useful in chicken to guarantee that the thermometer is inserted deep into the thigh without contacting any bone.

Read the instructions

Because all meat thermometers vary somewhat, if you use an instant-read thermometer, check the directions to see how long it takes to show the right temperature. Some thermometers may take up to 20 to 30 seconds to read, so if you test the temperature sooner, the result is likely to be incorrect, and you may wind up overcooking your meat.

How Can I Check That My Meat Thermometer Is Accurate?

Food thermometers should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that they are still correctly monitoring the temperature of food.

Many forms of meat, such as pig, fish, and chicken, must be cooked to a certain temperature in order to kill any potentially harmful germs. As a result, having a malfunctioning meat thermometer might have catastrophic repercussions.

Food thermometers, fortunately, are typically simple and fast to calibrate. You’ll need to know where your thermometer’s adjustment nut is so you can make any required changes.

You may test the accuracy of your thermometer by freezing it or boiling it.

Even though your food thermometer cannot be calibrated, you should still check it on a regular basis to ensure that it correctly monitors the temperature of your food. If it reads slightly high or low, you may adjust the temperature accordingly while cooking.

What Type of Thermometer Must Not Be Used in the Oven?

Any thermometer that does not state explicitly that it is oven-safe should never be used in the oven. You should not use an instant-read probe or dial instant-read thermometer in the oven because they will be ruined.

Many meat thermometers are small instant-read probe devices. These are designed to be inserted into cooked meat to determine whether the internal temperature has reached the safe level.

Instant read meat thermometers are useful for a variety of foods, but they should never be left in the oven.

When should you insert a meat thermometer?

Depending on the kind of meat thermometer, insert an oven-safe meat thermometer before placing the meat in the oven to cook, or use a non-oven-safe meat thermometer outdoors when the meat is nearly ready or done.

Where should you insert the meat thermometer?

To precisely measure the internal temperature of the meal, put the probe of the meat thermometer at least 2 inches into the thickest section of the flesh without contacting fat or bone. Place the meat thermometer in the deepest portion of the flesh until it registers the real internal temperature of the meat.

What should you do after using a meat thermometer?

After using the meat thermometer, carefully wash it with soap and hot water to remove any food grease or oil that has accumulated. It is critical to keep the meat thermometer clean for food safety.

Can I Use A Meat Thermometer To Take My Temperature?

Many people are questioning if they may use a meat thermometer to test for illnesses like COVID-19 now that oral thermometers are flying off shop shelves. Surprisingly, a meat thermometer may provide a pretty accurate estimate of your body temperature.

Naturally, not all meat thermometers are the same. You’re best off using a digital thermometer with exact temperature estimations for the most accurate results. Most classic dial thermometers are inaccurate and may not record temperatures below 100° F.

To ensure your safety, clean the tip of your meat thermometer with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe before and after inserting it under your tongue. Hold the thermometer in your mouth for a few minutes before reading the temperature as you would with a standard oral thermometer.

While a meat thermometer is a useful tool in a hurry, it is no substitute for a comprehensive medical examination. If you feel you are ill, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Can I Use A Meat Thermometer For Frying Oil?

Digital meat thermometers with a broad temperature range may be safe to use in oils, but always check with the manufacturer first. Remember that frying oil often reaches temperatures ranging from 350° to 450° F, so you don’t want to choose a product that can’t withstand these temperatures.

If you often deep-fry, you might consider purchasing a deep-fryer thermometer. Because these devices were designed for deep-frying, they are typically safer and simpler to use than meat thermometers.

Can I Use A Meat Thermometer To Check My Fridge Temperature?

You might use specific meat thermometers to monitor the temperature of your fridge in the same way that you would check the temperature of frying oil. In most circumstances, instant-read digital meat thermometers are the best method to determine the average temperature of your refrigerator.

Place a glass of water in your refrigerator for one full day for the most accurate results. Next, remove the glass from the fridge and immerse the meat thermometer in the water. If you have a digital thermometer, the temperature should display on the screen in a matter of seconds.

According to the FDA, the ideal refrigerator temperature is 40° F or lower. Your freezer’s temperature should never drop below 0° F.

To clarify, there are thermometers designed expressly to measure refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Take a look at this popular Rubbermaid product, for example.

A meat thermometer is significantly more accurate than old-fashioned “poke tests.” Whether you use an oven-safe thermometer or not, having one of these gadgets on hand can help you prepare and serve your meals more efficiently.

Final Thoughts

The days of peeping through the oven window or opening the oven door to swiftly stab a fork into our meat to see whether it’s safe to eat are done.

A meat thermometer is a vital kitchen tool for properly cooking meat, particularly roasts, in the oven. Not all meat thermometers may be kept in the oven while cooking. Many different kinds of meat thermometers are meant to be inserted into the meat after it has been taken from the oven to verify the internal temperature of the roast.

Meat thermometers that may be kept in the oven while cooking are available. However, unless a thermometer expressly states that it may be used in the oven while cooking, you should never attempt it.