More Cooking

I did a comment on Cooking Methods

And Shirley reminded me about thermometers.

As you must have gathered I am a Gadget Freak.
And yes I have several.

I have a small “Mechanical Oven Thermometer” that stands up in the oven
It is accurate but has a really annoying habit of falling over at the most inappropriate moment making it some what of a “P.I.B.” in use.

I also have a “Mechanical meat Thermometer”,
Which is left in the joint for the whole of the cooking time,
I try and position it so it can be seen through the glass door of an oven.

I have since found a “Mechanical Oven Thermometer” with a meat spike to measure the internal temperatures of a Joint etc. and the oven temperature simultaneously.

Now a good idea when you get your first thermometer, or if you haven’t done so, is to turn the oven on for an hour for the temperature to stabilise,
And then check the temperature in several different spots and shelves. So that you can cook two or even three items needing slightly different cooking temperatures at the same time.
Gas ovens tend to be hotter at the top and electric at the bottom.

My favourites are the “Digital Thermometers”
These can measure huge ranges from minus 50C to plus 300C in some cases.
To check their accuracy fast boil a pan of water and check for 100C or 212F
If it is out by more than a degree or two take it back.
A faulty tool gives faulty results.

One of mine is an instant read (well 5 secs) probe with a plastic case so can not be left in situ. But still is more than useful.

I now have one that has the probe on a wire, so the probe can be in the oven and the temperature read outside.
It also has a second wireless unit so the temperature can also be read in another room.
Along with an alarm if a preset temperature is reached, a real boon when entertaining.

Some of these probe on a wire will read up to 300C, some 200C, and I even found one that only goes to 100C.

The 300C ones will measure meat, sugar, deep fry fat, and oven temperatures.
So I suggest you only buy a 300C one.

When you use thermometers regularly you will find the guess work drops away,
And begin producing “Top Dollar” results time and time again,
Your and your loved ones, taste buds will love you.

The wired probe will also check your fridges and freezers with the door shut.
(And yes I have three fridges and two freezers)
This way you can accurately set the thermostat to two degrees Centigrade and all your goods will store for a longer time.

When you have set the thermostat,
Take at least a week of checking,
Mark the dial with a marker pen as it will be knocked and moved.

Seezya Les