What it is
A thermometer measures temperature. Food-probe models, oven-safe thermometers, and appliance thermometers for refrigerators or freezers are designed for different tasks and should not be treated as interchangeable.
When to use it
Use one to check the internal temperature of food or, with an appliance thermometer, monitor a refrigerator or freezer. Checking temperature is more reliable than judging whether food is cooked by its color or texture.
How to use it
Clean the probe before use and follow the instructions for your model. For a probe thermometer used for a spot check, place the probe in the thickest part of the food and avoid touching bone, fat, or the container. Some models are designed to remain in food while it cooks; others are used near the end to check the temperature.
How to choose it
Choose a thermometer for the task and cooking method. A quick-read probe is for spot checks; an oven-safe model can stay in food as it cooks; and a refrigerator or freezer thermometer measures appliance temperature. Check the model’s instructions to confirm how it is intended to be used.
Cleaning and storage
Clean the probe after use to help prevent cross-contamination. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and sanitizing, and check the thermometer’s accuracy using a method suitable for that model. Some thermometers can be calibrated and others cannot.
Alternatives for each use
Options include digital probe thermometers, dial thermometers, oven-cord models, infrared thermometers, and refrigerator or freezer thermometers. They are not suitable for every task: for example, an infrared thermometer measures surface temperature, not the internal temperature of food.
Common mistakes
Do not rely on color or texture alone to tell whether food is safely cooked. Do not leave a quick-read probe in the oven or on the grill throughout cooking unless that model is designed for continuous use. Position the probe as directed and avoid contact with bone or the cooking container.
Safe use
Use a food thermometer to check internal temperature; appearance alone cannot reliably establish that food has been cooked safely. Clean the probe between uses, especially when moving from raw to cooked food, and use each thermometer only as its instructions specify.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn’t meat color enough to tell whether it is cooked safely?
Color and texture are not reliable indicators that food has reached a safe internal temperature. Check the temperature with a food thermometer.
Can any food thermometer stay in the oven?
No. Some models are designed to remain in food during cooking, while many quick-read thermometers are intended for a check near the end. Follow the instructions for your model.
How should I clean the probe after using it?
Clean it after use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and sanitizing. This helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Sources and review
Sources consulted for this utensil’s documented uses, care and characteristics.
- Using Thermometers in the Kitchen | Food Safety | College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources | University of Connecticut foodsafety.uconn.edu/using-thermometers-in-the-kitchen/
- A Guide to Food Thermometers | How to Use, Clean & Calibrate www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/how-to-use-a-food-thermometer/
- Kitchen Thermometers Essential for Food Safety www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/miller/news/fcs/food-safety-preservation-appliances/Kitchen%20The…
- Choosing the Right Food Thermometer for Cooking - Buncombe County Center | N.C. Cooperative Extension buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/news/choosing-the-right-food-thermometer-for-cooking/
- Food Safety Education Month: Food thermometers are a kitchen must-have | K-State | Kansas State University extension.k-state.edu/news-and-publications/news/stories/2024/08/food-safety-kitchen-thermom…
- What thermometers do you use in your kitchen? | To Your Health | Illinois Extension | Illinois extension.illinois.edu/blogs/to-your-health/2025-11-03-what-thermometers-do-you-use-your-kit…
