The basic Purpose of Refrigeration. The fundamental reason for having a refrigerator is to keep food cold. Cold temperatures help food stay fresh longer. The basic idea behind refrigeration is to slow down the activity of bacteria (which all food contains) so that it takes longer for the bacteria to spoil the food. Hence eliminating Bacterial Growth
Whats the correct temperatures for fridge and freezers ?
Keep your appliances at the proper temperatures. Keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40° F (4° C). The freezer temperature should be 0° F (-18° C). Check temperatures periodically.
Fridge thermometer ensure your food is safely stored at correct temperatures.
If the Thermostat is kept at a Lower temperatures the cut on and off cycle will take a loger time and subsequently a Loger energy bill, using a Firdge thermometers helps you minimize energy costs.
Usabe of TheraGaurds or loggers which send you a email / text alarm when the temperature is droping, help alert you to a power outage (and possible huge food spoilage)
Registered Dietician And Nutritionist Heather Mangieri, the spokesperson of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that one cannot look at, taste or smell food to ensure that it is properly cooked. The only way to ensure that meat and poultry are cooked to a safe internal temperature is to use a food thermometer,
Invest your money in a good quality food thermometer and make sure your product turns out great each time, she suggests.
An important point to remember is not all food thermometers are made for the same purpose.
For example, A candy thermometer cannot be used to check temperatures of soups or gravies, Similarly, a special thermometer is available to check the temperatures while deep fat frying. From the simple liquid-filled thermometers to the fancy instant-read ones, there is a variety available in the market of thermometers, While buying, make sure you read the description and use of every thermometer before buying it.
Every food thermometer comes with a descript instruction manual, which must be read thoroughly before operating the thermometer, Here are a few easy steps to ensure that you are using your food thermometer correctly. Before going on to the further steps, always wash your thermometer well with soapy warm water. Or Sanitize the same Before use using Antobacterial wipes
Step 1: Always begin with testing the accuracy of your food thermometer. This can be carried out by inserting your thermometer in a Bowk of Crused ice or Compare the Readings of your thermometer using a RFERENCE / Master Thermometers,
For more information on this, read our blog on – How To Test The Accuracy Of Your Food Thermometer.
Step 2: Calibration is the process of Checking the Accuracy or Correctness of your thermometer. The process ensures an accurate reading. Every user’s manual will have a note on the process of calibration, However if you do not find it contact your dealer or supplier.
Step 3: Correct placement of the food thermometer inside the food is extremely crucial. Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the food being cooked,
The Dial Thermometers needs to be insterted uptill the mark on the steam of the thermometer, while the Digital Ones can go to any lenght and can measure different temperatures depending on the lenght of the core it has gone.
In the case of non-vegetarian food, make sure the thermometer does not touch the bone or fat. For thin foods, insert the thermometer sideways. For foods such as pork, lamb, poultry, eggs, kebabs, hamburger, steak and chops insert the food thermometer at the centre and the thickest part. Take care to keep the probe from touching the bone or fat.
Step 4: Every thermometer takes a different amount of time to show the Correct reading This is called the responce time, Operation or user’s manual will tell you the exact time,
Food thermometers are essential equipment when it comes to safe cooking and ensuring that your food is free from pathogenic bacteria.
Most of the harmful bacteria get stimulated at low temperatures, They multiply and thrive at mid-range temperatures These are destroyed at higher temperatures.
A food thermometer helps you record the internal temperature of foods which ensures optimum and safe cooking. There are several varieties of kitchen thermometers, each with a specific role and function. So whether its baking bread or grilling meat- pick the best thermometer that suits your needs with this simple guide. Broadly, these are the types of thermometers: Dial Thermometers ( Chef Probes) , Digital Thermometers ( instant reading and accurate i.e the Thermapen)
Instant read thermometers: They tell the exact core temperature at any given point of time. An instant-read thermometer is available in Various Models ,
These thermometers record temperature in less than 30 seconds. However, unlike the dial oven thermometers, they cannot remain in the food while cooking. These are ideal for checking temperatures in thick and thin foods.
Thermometer Fork Combination It reads the temperature in less than 45 seconds. It can be used with both thick and thin foods but cannot be used to check the temperature while cooking. Care must be taken to completely insert the fork tines into the food for best results. These are the best options for checking the temperature of foods while grilling.
These thermometers take 15-25 seconds to read the temperature. They work best with roasts, casseroles and soups. They can also be used with other thin consistency foods. It is very simple to operate these thermometers- you only need to insert the probe in the food and note the readings. To measure the temperature of thin foods, it is recommended to insert the thermometer sideways. It cannot be inserted while the food is being cooked in the oven and can only be used at the end of cooking. This type of thermometer is very readily available.
A thermocouple records temperature in 2-7 seconds and is one of the fastest operating thermometers. The fine wires at the tip make it perfect for measuring temperatures of both thick and thin consistency foods. Do not leave these thermometers in the food while it is cooking. Simply insert them in the food and check the reading. They are Fast Accurate and easy to use these are prefered mostly by Professional Barbicuers and Chefs
Disposable Temperature Indicators As the name suggests, these thermometers are single-use. They record specific temperature ranges in 5-10 seconds and should be used for intended foods only. Typical Application is Dishwasher Temperatures , Fridge temperatures etc Most of them have a special feature in which a colour change is seen when the desired temperature has been reached. It is important to carefully read the instructions of disposable thermometers before use.
These thermometers can be used in many foods and are also operational outside the oven. They can remain inside the food while it is getting cooked. You can place the monitor on the stovetop or kitchen counter.
The oldest but most effective types of thermometers are the liquid-filled ones. They are traditional in their mode of reading. They have a coloured liquid inside a calibrated tube placed in a glass case with a marking scale on either side. As the food gets cooked, the liquid rises up and indicates the temperature. These are slow in operation and take up to a minute to show the readings. Usually, these cooking thermometers are used for checking temperatures while making candy or deep-fried foods.
They are primarily used to check the internal temperature of the fridge, which must be between the range- 0 degrees Celcius to 4 degreesCelcius. Anything above this range can lead to the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
These are popularly used by Barista and Mc Cafes’ while preparing coffee and other beverages. The purpose of frothing thermometers is to check if the milk is heated to an optimum temperature, especially for cappuccinos and lattes. Apart from this, it also prevents scalding.
Now that you know the functions of the
different types of thermometers, buy the one that best suits your needs!
The new look, improved design, SuperFast Thermapen 4 thermometer incorporates a number of additional features including a 0.1°C resolution over the entire range but the instrument can be switched to 1°C resolution by the user, if required, via a switch in the battery compartment.
This also applies if °F is required. The battery life is now increased to 1,500 hours and the auto-off facility is increased to 10 minutes, this feature can be disabled, allowing the user to continuously monitor temperature. The casing is now washable and includes “Biomaster” additives that reduces bacteria growth and the ergonomic rubber seal reduces the risk of the ingress of water, dust or food. As well as being water resistant, it is still ‘probably’ the fastest reading contact thermometer on the market today.
