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Digital Meat Thermometers for Burgers and Thin Patties

A fast instant-read thermometer with a slim tip is the right format for burgers. Insert it through the side so the sensor reaches the centre.

A digital meat thermometer for burgers should read quickly and have a thin sensing tip. Patties are too shallow for a dependable top-down reading, so Health Canada advises inserting the thermometer through the side, all the way to the middle.

Meat thermometers

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Meat thermometers

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Questions before you buy

How do I use a digital meat thermometer on burgers?

Lift or steady the patty and insert the probe through its side until the sensing area reaches the centre. Wait for a stable reading and clean the probe before checking another food.

What temperature should a beef burger reach in Canada?

Health Canada lists 71°C for ground beef, veal, lamb and pork. Ground poultry burgers are listed at 74°C.

Can burger colour show whether it is cooked?

No. Health Canada advises using a digital food thermometer because meat can brown before it reaches a safe internal temperature.

Do I need to check every burger?

Yes, particularly when patties differ in thickness or sit in different heat zones. Health Canada advises checking each piece separately.