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FAQ Subject: How do I calibrate a meat thermometer

I thought poultry is suppose to be cooked to 180 degrees or is that a government recommendation?

Is there a good way to calibrate a meat thermometer? I've got two dial's and a digital one with an external probe

Gary Haygood, Investigator

Hi Gary,

I asked the FDA why the recommended 180-185° when they, themselves, said that all bacteria was killed by 160°. She said that it tasted better. I asked her, "Says, who?" She said, "A committee." Cooking to 185 is why many folk have problems with dry turkey.

If you had your copy of "The Great American Barbecue & Grilling Manual" handy, you would have found the answer to that question and the method for calibrating thermometers. Check it out in the Barbecue Store at www.barbecuen.com

The way I calibrate mine, over here in McComb, is pour a little Tennessee whiskey over ice and stir with the thermometer probe. It should read around 32° then I put the tip in boiling water and it should read about 212° in Vicksburg.

Have fun,
Smoky