Title

Keep Hot Foods Hot and Cold Foods Cold: A Foodservice Guide to Thermometers and Safe Temperatures

(FN712, Reviewed June 2025)
File
Publication File:
Summary

Chef's should not depend on their instincts, cooking time, oven temperature or product appearance to determine when a product is done: thermometers are important tools for protecting foods.

Lead Author
Lead Author:
Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist
Availability
Availability:
Web only
Publication Sections

Table of Contents

Bacteria are found nearly everywhere, including in most foods. Bacteria double in number every 10 to 30 minutes when exposed to ideal temperatures, pH, nutrients or moisture levels. Controlling tempera- ture is a way to prevent bacteria from growing and possibly causing food- borne illness.

Chefs should not depend on their instincts, cooking time, oven temperature or product appearance to determine when a product is done: thermometers are important tools for pro- tecting foods.

Several types of thermometers are available for use with foods. Choose ther- mometers approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).

Glass mer- cury-filled thermometers should never be used for taking food temperatures because they could break. These ther- mometers should only be used for taking temperatures of people.

Types of thermometers

1. Bimetal stemmed (or bayonet-style) thermometers have a dial scale with a plastic lens cover and a temperature range from 0 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to 105 C).

  • Their stems should be at least 5 inches long.
  • They should have a calibration nut under the dial.
  • They can accurately measure the temperature of relatively thick or deep foods (more than 2 inches) such as beef roasts and foods in stock pots.

2. Refrigerator-freezer thermometers may be built-in, hanging or sitting types.

• They should be checked for accuracy using a calibrated stemmed thermometer: place the thermometers side by side in the refrigerator or freezer and compare readings. Inaccurate refrigerator and freezer thermometers usually cannot be recalibrated and must be replaced.

3. Digital thermometers show temperatures quickly on an easy-to-read display.

  • They are available in several sizes and styles, some with interchangeable temperature probes.
  • Some models can be calibrated. Change batteries based on use or according to indicator light.

4. Candy, meat, microwave and deep-fry thermometers are, as their names suggest, designed for special uses.

Calibrate stemmed thermometers regulary

Thermometers can get out of adjustment if they are jarred. Any time thermometers are dropped or exposed to extremes in temperatures, they should be calibrated. All thermometers— regardless of use—should be calibrated at least once a month to maintain their accuracy.

Two acceptable methods for calibration are the Ice Point Method, which is recommended for high altitudes, and the Boiling Point Method.

Ice Point Method

  1. Make a thick ice slush using crushed ice and cold water (50/50). Remove thermometer from its case and insert sensing area of thermometer into the center of the ice slush to a depth of at least 2 inches, avoiding the sides and bottom of the container.
  2. Allow indicator to stabilize.
  3. Adjust calibration nut so indicator reads 32 F (0 C).

Boiling Point Method

  1. Insert sensing area of thermometer into boiling water avoiding sides and bottom of pan.
  2. Allow indicator to stabilize.
  3. Adjust calibration nut so indicator reads 212 F (100 C). To adjust for high altitudes, decrease setting 1 F (0.6 C) for each 550 feet above sea level.

Care and Use of Thermometers

• Remove the protective case on stemmed thermometers when using and cleaning.

• Wash thermometers in hot soapy water, rinse with clean hot water, sanitize with a solution of one tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of clean lukewarm (at least 75 F) water, and air-dry before, between and after uses. Keep the protective case clean, especially inside the case.

• Place thermometer in the center of the dish or in the thickest part of meat away from bone, inserting to the “dimple” or a minimum of two inches on the stem of the thermometer.

• Take the temperature reading when the needle on the dial has stopped moving for 15 seconds or the digital scale stabilizes.

• Take the temperature of the food in several places to confirm thorough cooking.

• Do not leave thermometers with plastic lens covers in foods during cooking. Use a meat thermometer or other thermometer that can withstand the heat of the oven.

Figure 1

Reference: FDA Food Code. Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Public Health Service. Prepared by Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist