Working in the food service industry means you need to know the answers to questions like ‘Where should a food handler check the temperature of food?’ and ‘How should a food handler test the temperature of food?’ Once you have this information and put it to good use, you can help your customers enjoy a safe dining experience.
Whether you’re new to the food service industry or want to brush up on your food safety knowledge for your Texas food handlers card, you can learn more about food safety temperatures below.
Where Should a Food Handler Check the Temperature of Food
It’s easy to assume that placing a food thermometer probe into any part of food is all you need to do to get an accurate reading of its temperature. However, that’s not entirely true.
Food temperature safety is about knowing exactly where to place the probe for an accurate overall temperature. In most cases, the best place to place a food thermometer is in the thickest part of the food.
How to Use a Food Thermometer
When you undertake the Texas Food Handlers course to learn safe food handling practices in your job, you’ll learn all about food thermometer use. However, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on your knowledge of how to use both contact and non-contact food thermometers. Take these steps below, and you’ll learn the accurate temp of food for safety in no time:
- Choose a suitable thermometer for the food you’re cooking – such as a digital instant-read, dial analog, or probe thermometer
- Calibrate the thermometer if required (follow the manufacturer’s instructions)
- Insert the thermometer into the food. For meat, insert it into the thickest part and avoid fat and bone. For liquids, stir the liquids and insert the probe while ensuring it doesn’t touch the container sides or bottom.
- Let the temperature stabilize before reading and refer to food temperature guidelines to ensure food safety
How to Use a Laser Food Thermometer
While contact thermometers are standard in the food service industry, laser food thermometers are also growing in popularity. Learn how to use them below:
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions
- Calibrate the thermometer according to the manufacturer’s instructions if required
- Aim the thermometer and check where the laser is pointing
- Ensure the laser is aiming perpendicular to the surface for an accurate reading
- Pull the trigger to get a temperature reading on the display screen
- Measure at different points to ensure accurate results
Temperature Probe Placement by Food
All food types can present differently, which may mean you’re not sure how to use a food thermometer accurately. For example, the best place to check the temperature of a turkey can differ from fish or ground poultry.
Follow this basic guide below, or refer to the Food Safety and Inspection Service U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Kitchen Thermometers guide here.
Meat (beef, pork, and lamb roasts)
- Place the food thermometer midway in the road, avoiding the bone
- When cooking chops, steak, and hamburgers, insert the food thermometer into the thickest part, away from bone, gristle, and fat
- Check the temperature in several places of irregularly shaped meat
Poultry
- Check the temperature in the innermost part of the wing, thigh, and the thickest part of the breast
- Check the temperature in several places when the chicken is irregularly shaped
Thin Food (hamburger patty, chicken breast, and pork chops)
- Use a thermocouple food thermometer or thermistor for thin foods like pork chops and hamburger patty
- If you’re using an instant-read food thermometer, insert the probe into the side of the food up to around 2-3 inches
Combination Dishes (casseroles and other combination meals)
- Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the food
- Place the thermometer in the center of the dish
- Check egg, ground meat, and poultry dishes in several places
Learn More About Food Safety Temperatures with TABC Pronto
Food safety temperatures are integral for safe food service. To keep yourself and your customers safe, enroll in the Texas Food Handlers Card through TABC Pronto today. Our convenient 100% online course can teach you all about food temperature guidelines, personal hygiene, and other important food safety tips.