The Hows and Whys of using a food thermometer when cooking burgers, chicken breasts, pork chops and sausage patties

By the end of this presentation, you will learn: How to be a better cook How to be a safer cook Why you cant judge a burger by its color About the flip side of flipping burgers

Why use a food thermometer when cooking small cuts of meat?

Safety Quality Quick Easy to use

What is a small cut of meat? Hamburgers Turkey Burgers Pork Chops Chicken Breasts Sausage Patties

Millions of people get sick from dangerous bacteria in food every year...

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates million stomach and intestinal illness 325,000 hospitalizations 5000 deaths... occur each year in the United States due to foodborne illness.

Two of the Healthy People 2010 objectives focus on food safety recommendations... To reduce by 50 percent the number of infections caused by key foodborne pathogens To increase by 10 percent the proportion of consumers who follow key food safety practices

... but many people dont link their illness to foodborne bacteria and viruses.

Safety Raw meat may contain harmful bacteria. These bacteria are killed when meat is cooked to 160 º F

Safety Many people rely on the internal color to check doneness BUT... Research shows that color is NOT a good indicator of doneness

USDA Research (1998) Showed: One out of every four hamburgers turns brown before cooked to safe internal temperature Only 3 out of 100 consumers checked hamburgers with a food thermometer

This IS a safely cooked hamburger, even though its pink inside This IS NOT a safely cooked hamburger, even though its brown inside

The ONLY way to be sure when meat is safe to eat is by testing the temperature with a thermometer!

You should use a food thermometer when you are cooking Ground meat patties and meatloaf Beef, veal, lamb Poultry (chicken and turkey) Pork Ham Including small cuts of meat

How do I use a food thermometer?

Step 1 For thin meat, use a dial or digital instant read thermometer. Insert the probe into the side of the meat Quick and easy steps to check your meat for proper temperature

Step 2 Insert the probe so at least 2-3 (dial) or ½- inch (digital) is in the center of the meat Quick and easy steps to check your meat for proper temperature

An instant-read DIAL thermometer reads the temperature along 2-3 of the probe-this means 2-3 of the probe must be inside the food. An instant read DIGITAL thermometer has its temperature sensor in the tip. The probe must be inserted at least 1/2 –inch into the food. 1/2 sensing area 2-3 sensing area

Step 3 Allow seconds for the temperature to stabilize Quick and easy steps to check your meat for proper temperature

Clean the spatula and thermometer between uses by: Rinsing under hot running water for 5 seconds AND Wiping with a clean paper towel

Beef Roasts and Steaks Cook to 145°F because bacteria are usually only on the surface of the meat.

Poultry Safely cooked at 160°F, but may not look done until cooked to °F

Quality Meat cooked to 160 º F is juicy and tender Overcooked meat is tough and dry Unless you use a thermometer, it is very easy to overcook meat

The Flip Side of Flipping Bugers

A study conducted at Washington State University compared methods of cooking hamburgers for their effectiveness in killing E. coli O157:H7. Clam shell-type grill, patties were not turned Frying pan, patties were turned every 30 seconds Frying pan, patties were turned only once

Consumers should either Cook hamburger patties in a clam shell-type grill OR Turn patties often when cooking on a single-sided grill

Today We Have Covered: Raw and undercooked meat can contain harmful bacteria Millions of people get sick from dangerous bacteria in food every year Color is NOT a good indicator of doneness Using a food thermometer is the ONLY way to determine is meat is cooked to a safe temperature of 160°F

Today We Have Covered: Using a food thermometer can improve the quality and safety of small cuts of meat Quick & easy steps for using a food thermometer when cooking small cuts of meat. The quickest and most effective method for reducing E. coli O157:H7 in hamburger patties is using a clam-shell type grill or flipping several times during cooking.

Now Youre Cooking!