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Food Thermometer Definition: Meaning, Types and Uses

A food thermometer is an instrument designed to measure the temperature of food or a cooking environment. It replaces guesswork with a reading that can guide safety and doneness decisions.

The practical food thermometer definition is an instrument made to measure food temperature, usually through a metal probe placed in the food. A cooking thermometer may also measure oil, sugar syrup, an oven or a barbecue, depending on its published range and sensor design. A meat thermometer is the familiar subset used to check the interior of meat and poultry.

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What is the definition of a food thermometer?

It is an instrument designed to measure the temperature of food or, for certain models, a cooking medium or appliance.

What is a cooking thermometer?

It is a broad term covering food probes and specialized oven, grill, oil, candy and surface thermometers.

What is a meat thermometer?

It is a food thermometer intended to measure internal meat temperature, either as an instant check or while the meat cooks.

Is an infrared thermometer a food thermometer?

It can be designed for food-service surface checks, but it does not measure the centre of food unless paired with a contact probe.