A good way to determine if meat is cooked through properly is by using a thermometer. There are a lot of different types of thermometers. The one you use to take your own temperature when you are sick is NEVER used for taking the temperature of food. In fact there are very specific thermometers used for making candy, deep frying food and testing meat.

These three are used to test meat.

You can buy chickens that already come with a thermometer already stuck in it. When it pops up, the meat is cooked. You can also buy these little white pop-up thermometers just on there own at the grocery store. They are inexpensive and convenient but they are for one time use only, then you have to throw them away.

A better thermometer to purchase is the kind you stick in the meat then put it in the oven.

The dial indicates what the internal temperature is. You leave it in the oven during the entire cooking process. These thermometers will also tell you what the correct temperature should be for doneness of poultry, lamb, and beef.

Lastly there is what’s called an instant read thermometer. This type can cost a lot more than the others but it is a good investment as it is very accurate and should last a long time. After the meat is cooked you insert the instant read thermometer and it will give you an instant reading of the internal temperature. You do not leave this type in the oven when the meat is cooking.

All three types work well. Which one you choose to purchase depends on your budget and how much meat you plan on cooking!

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