Advanced Culinary - Thermometers

How does the ice point method work?

Adjust the thermometer to the temperature at which water freezes. (32 F)

How does the boiling point method work?

Adjust the thermometer to the temperature at which your water boils. (212 F)

What should you do if your glass thermometer breaks?

Discard the thermometer in order to prevent a physical contaminant.

True or False: When cleaning thermometers, you can wash the entire thermometer in your 3 compartment sink.

False, make sure the digital part of your thermometer remains dry.

Which thermometer is used to measure surface temperature?

Infrared Thermometer

Where should you insert the thermometer when checking meat?

Insert the probe into the thickest part of the food to get an accurate temperature, also insert probe from a sideways angle.

How far does a bimetallic stemmed thermometer need to be inserted to get an accurate reading?

It needs to be at the dimple of the thermometer in order to get a correct reading.

Thermocouple and Thermistor

Measure temperatures through a metal probe or sensing area and display results on a digital readout.

Cleaning and Sanitizing Thermometers

Must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized. Keep clean and make sure to not get the digital part of the thermometer wet.

Which probe should be used to check the temperature of a chicken breast?

Penetration Probe

Time-Temperature Indicator

Self-adhesive tags that monitor time and temperature abuse of food shipments..

What are the two ways to calibrate a thermometer?

The boiling point method and the ice point method.

Calibration

Thermometers need to be calibrated, or adjusted, before use in order to give the correct reading.

Thermometers must be accurate within what temperature?

Thermometers that measure the temperature of foods must be within +-2 F or +-1 C. Thermometers used to measure air temperatures must be within +-3 F or +-1.5 C.

Infrared Thermometers

These thermometers, which measure the temperatures of food and equipment surfaces, do not need to touch a surface to check its temperature, so there is less chance for cross-contamination and damage to food.

What device can be used to monitor both time and temperature abuse during the shipment and storage of food?

Time-Temperature Indicator

True or False: Calibrate your thermometer after it has been bumped or dropped.

True

True or False: Infrared thermometers only take temperatures of the food or equipment's surface.

True

Surface Probes

Use these to check the temperature of flat cooking equipment, such as griddles.

Immersion Probe

Use these to check the temperatures of liquids. This could include soups, sauces, and frying oil.

Air Probes

Used to check temperature inside coolers and ovens

Penetration Probes

Used to check the internal temperature of food. They are especially useful for checking the temperature of thin food, such as hamburger patties or fish fillets.

Bimetallic Stemmed Thermometer

Used to measure temperatures through its metal stem on thicker foods.

Are you able to change out the probe on thermocouples and thermistors?

Yes, you can insert different types of probes when using a thermcouple and thermistor.

What part of a bimetallic stemmed thermometer should you use to calibrate it?

You should use the calibration nut, located underneath the indicator head in order to accurately calibrate it.