Choosing a Kitchen Thermometer

Choosing a kitchen thermometer: Use the following information* as a guide to purchasing and using a kitchen thermometer. Omaha Steaks sells a thermocouple type thermometer called: Perfect Temp Thermometer (#1324) which is both a digital timer and thermometer. It features an alarm which sounds when a preset temperature is reached. Just preset the final temperature, insert the probe into the food and wait for the alarm to sound. *Based on technical information provided by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (10/97).

Types of Thermometers	Speed	Placement	Usage Considerations
Liquid-Filled	1 to 2 minutes	At least 2 inches deep in the thickest part of the food	- Used in roasts, casseroles, and soups - Can be placed in a food while it is cooking - Cannot measure thin foods - Calibration cannot be adjusted - Possible breakage while in food - Heat conduction of metal shield can cause false high reading
Bimetal (oven-safe)	1 to 2 minutes	2 to 2 1/2 inches deep in the thickest part of the food	- Can be used in roasts casseroles, and soups - Can be placed in a food while it is cooking - Not appropriate for thin foods - Heat conduction of metal stem can cause false high reading
Bimetal (instant-read)	15 to 20 seconds	2 to 2 1/2 inches deep in the thickest part of the food	- Can be used in roasts, casseroles, and soups - Use to check the internal temperature of a food at the end of cooking time - Can be calibrated - Cannot measure thin foods unless inserted sideways - Cannot be used in an oven while food is cooking - Temperature is averaged along 2-3" of probe - Readily available in stores
Thermistor (digital)	10 seconds	At least 1/2 inch deep in a food	- Gives faster reading - Can measure temperature in thin foods - Digital face easy to read - Cannot be used in an oven while food is cooking - Available in "kitchen" stores
Thermocouple (digital)	5 seconds	1/4 deep, or deeper as needed	- Fastest - Can quickly measure even the thinnest foods - Digital face easy to read - Can be calibrated - More costly, may be difficult for consumers to find in stores