How to Clean a Meat Thermometer- Easy Steps

A meat thermometer is a type of thermometer that mainly takes the temperatures of meat. A meat thermometer takes meat temperatures to avoid consuming raw meat that is not good for one’s physical health as it is part of food poisoning. To use a meat thermometer, insert meat into the probe that has a gauge to take the thermometer’s readings.

Therefore, to clean a meat thermometer, you must follow specific steps to develop a clean and working thermometer. Different thermometers have different modes of cleaning according to the manufacturer’s instructions in some steps.

Steps to clean a meat thermometer

how to clean a meat thermometer

1. Using warm water, wash the thermometer

Gently wash the thermometer with warm soapy water to remove fatty meat residues on the walls of the thermometer until they become invisible. Warm soapy water is a sanitizing agent, and therefore using it is part of sanitizing the thermometer. In case of strong stains that you cannot remove by washing, spray the stains using kitchen sprays, then wipe them off. Alternatively, you can soak the stained part in the thermometer in water for a while to help weaken the stain to wash easily.

2. Sterilize the thermometer

Secondly, sanitize the thermometer after washing gently. Sanitizing ensures the removal of the stains and any other dirt particles that remain in the thermometer. Sanitizing involves using boiling water, chlorine agents, and alcohol. Boiling water helps kill the bacteria in the thermometer as long as the water is too specific degrees to damage the thermometer from boiling water. Sanitizing using chlorine water involves mixing chlorine with water then inserting the thermometer into the mixture for some time. The alcohol solution sanitizes the thermometer by dipping the thermometer into it and letting it dry.

3. Rinse the thermometer

Rinse the thermometer using cold water gently by dipping the thermometer

Partially if you are using an electrical thermometer since it can result in an electric shock. Rinsing helps remove any residues from the sanitizing agents like alcohol and chlorine. Take much care of the thermometer while rinsing since water can destroy sensible parts of the thermometer.

4. Dry the thermometer

Lastly, let the thermometer dry in an air-free and clean environment without wiping since some materials to wipe may have bacteria that may affect the functioning of the meat thermometer. If you need to wipe, it is advisable to use paper towels other than regular kitchen towels that may be reusable.

Tips for maintaining a meat thermometer

Tips for maintaining a meat thermometer
  • Limit using meat with bones.

Meat that has bones cannot easily penetrate the thermometer and can break and bend the walls of the thermometer as it forces itself in. Therefore, using plain meat is advisable as it penetrates quickly into the thermometer probe.

  • Avoid lifting the thermometer

Avoid lifting the thermometer when it is larger kilos of meat as it may be heavier bending the tips of the thermometer. In cases of smaller amounts of food, you can gently lift the thermometer when the need arises.

  • Maintain the functions of the thermometer

A thermometer may seem to perform some other activities in the house like picking ice or piercing some food packages, which destroy the thermometer. Stick to the primary function of the thermometer to avoid some issues with it.

  • Store the thermometer away from heat

As much as the thermometer reads, the temperatures of hot meat avoid storing it near direct heat or areas with high temperatures as it can pass its reading limit and high temperatures break the thermometer if it is a glass thermometer.

  • Take note of the manufacturer’s instructions

To maintain your thermometer to use for a longer period, always take care of the manufacturer’s manual by reading the instructions before undertaking any activity for the thermometer. In addition, in case of a misunderstanding, remember to seek advice from a technician.

Types of meat thermometers

Types of meat thermometers

Different types of meat thermometers vary according to their speed to read meat temperatures and their accuracy. Here are three types of meat thermometers;

  • Digital instant-read thermometers

Digital instant-read thermometers are fast, as the name suggests, since they are the digital thermometers for use in the world today. They carry a medium amount of make according to their make.

  • Thermocouples thermometer

Thermocouples thermometers are the fastest kind of thermometers since they are double hence can scan the temperatures. However, it takes care of smaller amounts of meat as it has a smaller space.

  • Dial thermometer

Dial thermometers are large hence carrying a large amount of meat. They can still work while the meat is still cooking to read the temperatures since they are hard to read. They are the older types of thermometers but are easy to handle and maintain.

Frequently asked questions:

  • What are the factors to consider when purchasing a meat thermometer?

When deciding on purchasing a meat thermometer, consider some significant factors. The main element to consider is the amount of meat you will always want to store since meat thermometers are different. Consider the people available in the kitchen since glass thermometers are best for areas with fewer children. The other factor is the speed of the thermometer; choose a thermometer with the fastest speed so that it responds quickly.

  • Can a meat thermometer measure the temperature of any food?

It is advisable to stick to the primary purpose of the thermometer. Different kinds of food have different types of thermometers to measure their temperatures. Therefore, let the meat thermometer measure the meat temperatures only to avoid inserting some food products that may damage some parts in the thermometer.

Conclusion

Proper cleaning of the thermometer helps you take the readings of your meat in the thermometer accurately and prevents you from consuming spoiled or raw meat that will affect you. The article shows the steps to clean your thermometer and how to maintain your thermometer for long-term use. Combining these steps and ways of preserving the thermometer keeps you away from food complications.

Finally, remember to clean thermometers according to the manufacturers’ instructions on that particular thermometer since thermometers are from different materials and are delicate. If you find it hard to clean your thermometer, consult a technician to help you carry out the activity.

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