Here's why you should be using a meat thermometer to cook your Thanksgiving meal
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One of the most stressful parts of cooking any holiday dinner (besides cranky relatives) has to be ensuring that you get the perfect finish on your favourite roast turkey, ham, or beef. It’s easy to overdo the cook time, but also just as easy to undercook your dishes in a rush to have them ready in time for dinner.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about creating a stress-free environment in the kitchen, it’s that the right tools can make all the difference.
Whether you’re looking to step up your cooking skills this year or are just perfecting your craft, there’s one gadget that you’ll want to have on hand when cooking all of your holiday meals this year - the Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer by Smak, which happens to be on sale right now on Amazon.
Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
SHOP IT: Amazon, $18 (originally $21)
What is it
This easy-to-use thermometer ensures that your food reaches the correct temperature using precise measurements and a clear display, eliminating the guesswork when it comes to figuring out whether your food has fully cooked through.
It features a bright LCD screen that provides accurate temperature readings within just two to three seconds. You can choose between temperature display in either Celsius or Fahrenheit, and never have to worry about draining the battery since this thermometer automatically shuts off after ten minutes of inactivity.
It's available in six fun colours to brighten up any kitchen — although only the red is marked down to $18 (the other colours come in at $21).
Why use a meat thermometer?
If you're inexperienced in the kitchen or are just looking to take your cooking to the next level, a meat thermometer is worth adding to your kitchen this holiday season. Not only are they a simple way to guarantee that your food is cooked to proper health and safety guidelines, they can also save you money by ensuring that your meat is never under- or overcooked.
Ideal for poultry, beef, or pork, a meat thermometer is a simple and affordable way to quickly tell when your food is done cooking.
How to use a meat thermometer
While there a few different types of thermometers to choose from, the Smak Meat Thermometer delivers instant and accurate readings with a digital output. In order to get the best results from it, you'll want to place the thermometer in the thickest portion of the meat, approximately 1/2" below the surface. You're looking for the lowest internal temperature, which gives you an idea of the overall core temperature of the meat.
When it comes to cooking times, you'll also want to check the temperature fairly early and often. For a large roast like a turkey, be sure to start checking the temperature 30 minutes before the end of its cook time. Once it reaches 5 degrees less than the desired cook temperature, you know that it's time to remove the meat from the oven as it will continue to cook while it rests.
What shoppers are saying
Backed up by a near-perfect 4.7-star rating from more than 8,000 reviews, this meat thermometer is a hit among thousands of Amazon Canada shoppers, including professional chefs.
Shoppers have called this thermometer "quick reading" and "right on the mark" for checking temperature, and one professional cook even shared that they were "impressed by the product"
The only downside that shoppers have found with this meat thermometer is that it doesn’t live up to its claims of being fully waterproof. Water-resistant would be a more accurate description, so if you do opt for this device, be sure to carefully hand wash the probe in order to ensure it continues to function well.
The verdict
For easy and accurate temperature readings, reach for this affordable meat thermometer to get the perfect cook on all of your favourite meats.
Whether you’re grilling, roasting, or sautéing, it’s a must-have tool for any home cook. Just be sure to wash it carefully, and you’ll be sure to get plenty of use out of the Smak Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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