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Food Thermometer Definition: Meaning, Types and Uses

A food thermometer is an instrument used to measure the temperature of food or food-related surfaces. The design determines whether it reads internally, remains during cooking or measures only a surface.

The simplest food thermometer definition is an instrument that measures the temperature of food, ingredients or relevant surfaces. A meat thermometer is a food thermometer intended mainly for internal readings in meat, while the broader cooking thermometer definition can include candy, oven, refrigerator and infrared instruments.

Food Thermometer Definition: Meaning, Types and Uses

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What is the definition of a food thermometer?

It is an instrument designed to measure food temperature or, for some types, the temperature of food-related surfaces or environments.

What is a cooking thermometer?

It is a broad term covering instruments used during food preparation, including probe, candy, oven and infrared thermometers.

Is a meat thermometer different from a food thermometer?

A meat thermometer is one kind of food thermometer, typically designed to measure internal temperature in meat or poultry.

Can an infrared thermometer measure meat doneness?

It reads surface temperature. Use a suitable penetration probe to determine internal temperature.