Cooking Thermometers

Truth to tell, the only reasons why you won’t need a cooking thermometer is either because you’re a cook trained in the esoteric art of cooking based on how the food looks or because you have a strong stomach and immune system. In the real world, however, cooking thermometers are a must, not only to ensure that food is cooked using the right temperatures but also to prevent any risks of keeping food-borne microorganisms alive. For convenience and quick reading, why not invest in a cordless digital cooking thermometer for easy food preparation that’s free from worries?

How a cordless digital cooking thermometer works

The cordless digital cooking thermometer is essentially a tool consisting of two parts: the probe and the control or receiver. The probe is the piece that goes with the food to take its temperature (it’s heat resistant so there’s no need to worry even if you subject it to very high temperatures).

The receiver, on the other hand, stays out of the heat. It receives the information regarding the temperature from the probe and translates it into figures. You can read these figures in Centigrade or Fahrenheit (you can switch from one to the other in most models) on the LCD indicator.

The cordless digital cooking temperature works with batteries. Just remember to turn the receiver unit on when cooking so you can monitor the temperature. In some units, this will also ensure that you hear the alarm when it goes off.

Why go digital

If you want a food temperature reading that’s instantly recognizable, go for the digital type of cooking thermometer. Analog types work just as well but they do require you to carefully determine where the pointer is at just to find out whether or not the amount of heat applied is correct.

On the down side, going digital may be convenient and easy but just remember that most (if not all) digital cooking thermometers cannot be re-calibrated. If your unit has been in use for some time, you might have to test yours for accuracy.

Cordless and free

Although there is nothing inherently wrong with using digital cooking thermometers that are equipped with cords, having one that is cordless will free you up. For one, you will be able to place the monitor or control wherever you please – no need to be limited by the length of cord that the cooking thermometer came with (usually 2 to 3.5 feet). Furthermore, you could relax knowing that no cord goes to cook inside the oven with your food. Cords used with cooking thermometers are highly resistant to heat.

Don’t forget the timer

There are many cordless digital cooking thermometers that are combined with a timer and alarm. The timer can be a very handy tool when you’re trying to watch the length of cooking time or if you’re just the type of cook that forgets the bread in the oven. You might already have a separate timing device of your own but try to consider a cooking thermometer that’s built with a timer. The alarm feature will beep to alert you as soon as the preset cooking time or temperature is reached – perfect if you’re entertaining guests or have other things to do while cooking.

Pricing

Cordless digital cooking thermometers are quite affordable, ranging in price from a low of about $25 (when on sale) to around $100 or so. Prices depend on brand, model and features.

Tags: Cordless Digital Cooking Thermometer
Filed under: Cooking Thermometers | Mar 11th, 2010.