Do you use a meat thermometer?

[maslex]

Or do you just know when your meats are done? I've never used one and picked one up this morning. Going to see if it makes my meats comes out better. I know I always over cook things (especially chicken breast).

 

[NewRVLady]

I do when we grill chicken halves
Sometimes chicken breasts are really big lately

 

[Happy Snowman]

Yes. I started using one years ago when I was making my first prime rib and I use one most of the time now.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Only with turkey or whole chickens.

Once you poke it the juices run out!

 

[bcwife76]

I Usually just use one with turkey or whole chickens or with large cuts of meat (say, a roast beef).

 

[Handbag Lady]

Yes.

 

[Mizzoufan]

No

 

[powellrj]

I am pretty good with steaks and chops, but will use one for turkey, chickens and large roasts. I want one of those that you stick in the meat and the reader is outside of your oven.

 

[bookgirl]

Yes, I bought it to prove something was cooked to my mom, who would try to cook meat until it was 'done', which is usually about 40 minutes longer than I would cook it. I needed to prove that I wasn't undercooking it.

(I wasn't undercooking it by the way)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Or do you just know when your meats are done? I've never used one and picked one up this morning. Going to see if it makes my meats comes out better. I know I always over cook things (especially chicken breast).

I only use it for expensive cuts of meat in the oven.

DH does use it for the chicken on the grill sometimes because he does not want it overcooked.

I do when we grill chicken halves
Sometimes chicken breasts are really big lately

I have been cutting/pounding the breasts lately so they cook quickly. I pan fry on the stove as opposed to the oven these days.

 

[kimblebee]

No, I don't use one. I have been thinking about getting one though for this summer. I'm going to try cooking roasts and larger cuts of meat on the BBQ so it will come in handy. I will get a high tech one though, so no piercing.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Only when I cook turkey. Any other meats I cook I've been cooking for years and know how to cook them. Turkey is variable.

 

[MamaLema]

Yes...the best 5 bucks I ever spent. I had a tendency to overcook meat just to be sure. Now my meat is perfectly cooked, juicy, and I don't have to worry we'll get sick.

 

[Jedana]

Or do you just know when your meats are done? I've never used one and picked one up this morning. Going to see if it makes my meats comes out better. I know I always over cook things (especially chicken breast).

Always use one. I actually own 3--one is a simple thermometer, and the other 2 are digital.

Habit from working in restaurants. Good thing for now, since DH is now only allowed fully cooked meats----his medium rare steaks are no longer allowed. (Even his fish has to be fully cooked--no more seared tuna, sashimi, etc...)

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Always use one. I actually own 3--one is a simple thermometer, and the other 2 are digital.

Habit from working in restaurants. Good thing for now, since DH is now only allowed fully cooked meats----his medium rare steaks are no longer allowed. (Even his fish has to be fully cooked--no more seared tuna, sashimi, etc...)

Same here, and it also carries over from my days in food service. For me it's easier just to stick the thermometer in than to slice the meat and eyeball it

 

[PigletsPal2]

I do. My DDs are very squeamish about undercooked meat, and I always have to prove to them that the meat is DONE!

Queen Colleen

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Depends on what I'm cooking & how, but yes I do use meat thermometers.

 

[LBIJim]

I used a digital meat thermometer for the very first time just this past week. Checked the internal temp of homemade meatballs. Before I would just poke or cut into the meat to see if it was done. Never trusted that those analog thermometers were calibrated properly.

 

[Disneylover99]

Digital for chicken and turkey

 

[DisneyBill]

On items I'm not sure about, or to even check a hot dog, I use this one... http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/