Learn how to calibrate your stick thermometer to ensure properly cooked meats and easily improve the quality of the meals you serve.
Are you frustrated that you took the time to cook a dinner meal including chicken breasts, only to have your family push them around their plates? Are you unsure of how long to cook pork chops? Maybe you’re concerned about food borne illness?
Then stick around because you are going to solve this problem.
I need you to open your kitchen drawer, the one with all the utensils you never use.
Now go ahead and pull out the long stick like object with numbers on it. Yep, the thermometer.
If you don’t have one, head to the store and grab a stick thermometer. They cost about $4.00. This is your life saver. This tool is what will fix your dinner disasters.
Watch this video to learn how to use a thermometer and also how to calibrate a thermometer.
You want to make sure the thermometer is accurate, so you need to calibrate it frequently.
It’s simple, I promise!
Simple, right?
There are two main reasons to use a thermometer.
A thermometer ensures you are cooking your meat to a high enough temperature to kill any potential bacteria in the food, avoiding foodborne illness. A thermometer also ensures you do not overcook food, which makes meat much less flavorful, juicy, and can ruin a meal quickly.
Let’s go over what the safe internal temperatures of meats are:
Beef, pork, veal, and lamb (steaks, chops, and roasts): 145 degrees
All ground meat: 160 degrees
All poultry: 165 degrees
Fish and shellfish: 145 degrees
Leftovers: 165 degrees
Casseroles: 165 degrees
I hope these tips help you in your kitchen TODAY!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
This is so helpful! I’ve never calibrated my thermometer but clearly I need to! Thank you for the instructions!
Create Kids Club says
It does need calibrating from time to time 🙂 Thanks so much Liz!
Abbey Sharp says
Thank you for clear instructions on calibration! Will making cooking meat so much easier 🙂
Create Kids Club says
Right? It is so often overlooked, but makes a HUGE difference! 🙂
Heather Gannoe (@runfastermommy) says
As a vegetarian, we don’t really have a frequent need for a thermometer, so I don’t have one! But I will definitely keep this post in mind just incase!
Create Kids Club says
You have me racking my brain for what food you would temp! 🙂 If you ate fish or eggs? You can pass it along when friends discuss over cooked foods 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
My husband is obsessed with his collection of meat thermometers! On Thanksgiving he has 3 or 4 going at the same time
Create Kids Club says
Ha! Good for him – food safety and deliciously cooked meat 🙂
Cassandra says
My husband loves using thermometers. I cook by look, touch and a little instinct so I can’t say I’ve ever used one except to make yogurt.
Create Kids Club says
I always wanted to make yogurt at home! I got to watch Siggi from Siggi’s yogurt make a batch of yogurt at a conference I was at – the whole process is so cool!!
chrissystein says
I was just thinking that I really need to get a thermometer the other day when I had no idea if my meat was done. I can never get pork chops right. Thanks!
Create Kids Club says
It will save your pork chops! 🙂 I’d love to hear if you try!
Mariangelica @ Chasing Littles says
Great informative post! I really never thought about them so much until now. My husband is all about the thermometer.
Create Kids Club says
I love hearing that all your husbands are into the thermometer. I don’t think mine would know what to do with one. I need to have him watch this 😉
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i dont use my thermometer nearly enough….
Create Kids Club says
It makes such a big difference!
Jill Conyers (@jillconyers) says
I rarely have need to cook with a thermometer but this is still good to know.
Shannon @ KISS in the Kitchen says
This is so helpful- thank you for sharing this!
Create Kids Club says
Glad you found it helpful, Shannon!