The Different Types of Thermometers and Why You Need Them

Thermometers are essential tools in any home or professional kitchen. They allow you to check the temperature of your food at a glance, which is especially important if you're following a recipe, keeping track of how long something needs to cook, or making sure that everything stays safe to eat. Because there are so many different types of thermometers, it can be hard to know which one you need and when you should use it. Here's a quick overview of some common types of thermometers and when they come in handy.

The Basics

Let's begin with the basics. When you say "the temperature of the food," you're saying that the thermometer measures the food's temperature. The thermometer is just a tool to help you gauge temperature. When we talk about a meat thermometer, we are not talking about a meat-shaped thermometer; we're talking about a thermometer that takes the meat's temperature. Similarly, when we talk about a candy thermometer, we're not talking about a thermometer shaped like candy; we're talking about a thermometer used to measure the temperature of the caramel or sugar syrup in the pan.

Why Use Cooking Thermometers?

It is important to use cooking thermometers to avoid falling sick. A chicken breast should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, while for cooking eggs, the ideal temperature should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking at optimum temperatures provides many health benefits and avoids the leaching of nutrients from your food, otherwise caused by overheating. 

Digital Probes

A digital probe thermometer measures the internal temperature of meat, poultry, or fish as it cooks. Digital probes are used with a probe thermometer, which has a display outside the oven so viewing the temperature readings is easier without opening the oven door. Some probes have a clip to hold them in place, while others have a magnet at the end to attach them to the side of the oven.

These thermometers ensure that your meat has reached a safe internal temperature and that other dishes are at the right temperature. For example, if you're making a casserole and want to ensure that it's not just at a safe temperature but cooked thoroughly.

Digital Instant-Read Thermometer

An instant-read thermometer is what most people think of when they think about thermometers. It's used to take the temperature of food as it sits on the counter or in your refrigerator. Use the instant-read thermometer to measure the temperature of your oven or other cookware, like a frying pan. These thermometers are also used to take the temperature of your meat while it's on the grill.

Instant-read thermometers are very quick and easy to use: You press the button, stick it into whatever you want to measure, and then wait a few seconds for the readout to show you the temperature. Instant-read thermometers aren't just limited to food. If you're trying to track the temperature in your house and ensure it's not too hot or too cold, you can use an instant-read thermometer to take readings.

Digital Cooking/Roasting Thermometer

As the name suggests, a digital cooking/roasting thermometer is used primarily for cooking. You can use it in the oven, grill, or stovetop. It can measure the temperature of what you're cooking and the internal temperature of your meat, poultry, or fish.

It can also be used to take the temperature of your oven or other cooking equipment, like a baking pan in the oven. A cooking/roasting thermometer combines the features of both a probe and an instant-read thermometer, so it's a multi-purpose tool. 

Analog Stick Thermometer

Analog stick thermometers look like long metal rods with a dial on the end. They're used to measure the temperature of liquids. Stick thermometers are ideal for checking the water temperature when making bread or brewing a pot of tea, but they can also be used to check the temperature of other liquids. You stick the thermometer into the liquid and wait a few seconds for the dial to show you the temperature.

These thermometers are convenient to have around the kitchen. You can use them to check the temperature of the water when you're cooking pasta or blanching vegetables or to check the temperature of water in your water heater or a water bath if you're doing anything where the water needs to be at a specific temperature. They also make great general-purpose kitchen thermometers.

Dual Probe Thermometer

A dual-probe thermometer has two probes that can measure the temperature of food and your oven, cookware, or other items. You can set the two probes to different temperatures and then check the readings on the thermometer to see the difference. A dual-probe thermometer is an excellent choice if you're baking cookies or cake, etc., and want to ensure that your crust reaches the correct temperature before adding the filling.

These thermometers come in two basic flavors: analog and digital. With an analog probe thermometer, you can set the two probes to different temperatures, but you can't see the readings on the thermometer. If you use a digital probe thermometer, you can see the readings on the thermometer's screen.

Oven thermometer

It is used to measure the temperature inside your oven. You may have heard that you should check the temperature of your oven every once in a while to ensure that it's heating properly. This is a good idea, but it's not always easy to know just where to look. An oven thermometer makes it easy to check that your oven is heating to the correct temperature. Stick the thermometer inside and wait for the beep.

You can also use an oven thermometer when you're baking to make sure that your crust is baking at the correct temperature. Many oven thermometers have a setting for baking, so you can check the temperature of your crust as it bakes.

Candy/Fry Thermometer

A candy/fry thermometer is used to check sugar syrup's temperature when making candies, or a deep fryer is used when you're frying food. These thermometers are usually long and thin and have a clip-on end to hook them at the side of the pot.

They have a probe inside the thermometer, and the temperature reading appears on the thermometer's dial. Some candy/fry thermometers can also be used to check the temperature of other things, like the temperature of the water, when making soft pretzels or coffee with an espresso machine.

Infrared Thermometer

An infrared thermometer is a specialized thermometer that can measure the temperature of just about anything. You can use it to measure the temperature of the air around you, the temperature of food, the temperature of other items around the house, or the temperature of your oven.

The best thing about an infrared thermometer is that you don't have to touch the item you want to measure to take a temperature reading. Be sure, though, that what you're measuring is not reflective, for example, metals.

Conclusion

When cooking, it's not enough to check the recipe to see what the final product should look like. You also need to ensure that the ingredients are cooked to the right temperature, so they won't make people sick. A thermometer helps ensure the ingredients have reached the right temperature. Using a thermometer is essential for both safety and accuracy, and it's something that you should always do. We hope you will use this information and make healthier choices. Continue reading Cured.com for more health and wellness updates.