Dial Oven-Safe (Bimetal)
- Reads in 1-2 minutes
- Place 2-2½” deep in thickest part of food
- Can be used in roasts, casseroles, and soups
- Not appropriate for thin foods
- Can remain in food while it’s cooking
- Heat conduction of metal stem can cause false high reading
- Some models can be calibrated; check manufacturer’s instructions
Digital Instant-Read (Thermistor)
- Reads in 10 seconds
- Place at least “½” deep
- Gives fast reading
- Can measure temperature in thin and thick foods
- Not designed to remain in food while it’s cooking
- Check internal temperature of food near the end of cooking time
- Some models can be calibrated; check manufacturer’s instructions
- Available in “kitchen” stores
Thermometer-Fork Combination
- Reads in 2-10 seconds
- Place at least “¼” deep in thickest part of food
- Can be used in most foods
- Not designed to remain in food while it is cooking
- Sensor in tine of fork must be fully inserted
- Check internal temperature of food near end of cooking time
- Cannot be calibrated
- Convenient for grilling
Dial Instant-Read (Bimetal)
- Reads in 15-20 seconds
- Place 2-2½” deep in thickest part of food
- Can be used in roasts, casseroles, and soups
- Temperature is averaged along probe, from tip to 2-3″ up the stem
- Cannot measure thin foods unless inserted sideways
- Not designed to remain in food while it is cooking
- Use to check the internal temperature of a food at the end of cooking time
- Some models can be calibrated; check manufacturer’s instructions
- Readily available in stores
Thermocouple
- Reads in 2-5 seconds
- Place ¼” or deeper, as needed
- Gives fastest reading
- Good for measuring temperatures of thick and thin foods
- Not designed to remain in food while it’s cooking
- Check internal temperature of food near the end of cooking time
- Can be calibrated
- More expensive.
Oven Probe with Cord
- Can be used in most foods
- Can also be used outside the oven
- Designed to remain in the food while it is cooking in oven or in covered pot
- Base unit sits on stovetop or counter
- Cannot be calibrated
Source : www.fsis.usda.gov
