A food thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking. Cook foods to perfection, so they are tasty and juicy - not overdone.
What Does a Meat thermometer measure?
A meat thermometer actually measures the internal temperature of the meat itself, Each type of meat will have a different temperature. When the correct internal temperature is reached the meat will be at the required doneness. E.g., rare, medium well done. NB. Poultry and processed meat must always be well done. See the cooking chart below.
Temperatures for Cooked Meats
| Type of meat |
Temperature |
Poultry
Chicken breasts
Whole chicken or turkey and bone-in pieces |
77°C
82°C |
| Fish |
65°C |
Red Meat (Beef, lamb and veal)
Rare
Med
Well done
Minced meat and sausages |
63°C
71°C
77°C
71°C |
Pork
Medium
Well done |
71°C
77°C |
Ham
Fresh
Reheating Cooked |
71°C
60°C |
Thermometers are Easy to Use. Here's How:
There are the 'leave-in' style meat thermometers. These are inserted into the thickest part of the meat and remain for the duration of cooking.
'Instant-read' thermometers can be inserted during the cooking to obtain a temperature reading and then removed.
Digital probe thermometers are more costly, but superior when cooking roasts or large pieces in the covered barbecue. A thin sensor that probes the meat is left in the meat while it cooks. The info is available on a small digital display monitor outside the BBQ which updates throughout the cooking.
Whatever the type of thermometer you choose, ensure you read the operating instructions thoroughly before use.