How to Test a Cooking Thermometer

An incorrect thermometer is next to useless. There are some recipes that might call for approximate temperatures, but for the most part, good food and good food safety calls for precision. Using the consistent temperature of boiling water, you can test your thermometer's accuracy.

Things You'll Need

• Small or medium saucepan
• Stove
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a small or medium saucepan half-full with water.

2. Bring water to a rolling boil, uncovered. This will take a few minutes.

3. Insert the thermometer into the water, making sure that it doesn't actually touch the bottom of the pot.

4. When the temperature on the thermometer stops rising, read it. If it reads around the boiling point (212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius at sea level), the thermometer is good to use.

Tips & Warnings

• The boiling point of water will change depending on your elevation and, to a lesser extent, barometric pressure on any given day. Local weather can usually provide this information, as well as websites such as Weather Underground. It is important to know what your boiling point is before attempting this test (see references for calculator).

Resources

• Water Altitude Boiling Point Calculator
• Weather Underground