How to Test the Accuracy of a Candy Thermometer

A candy thermometer can withstand higher temperatures than a home medical thermometer.

When dropping a dollop of cooking candy into a cup of cold water, you can test its doneness by how the dollop firms up. Yet, if you aren't comfortable deciding if it has reached the thread, soft-ball, firm-ball, hard-ball, soft-crack or hard-crack stage, use a candy thermometer. It is a good idea to check the accuracy of the candy thermometer before using it to test your candy.

Things You'll Need

• Saucepan

Instructions

1. Fill a saucepan with water.

2. Put it on the stove and bring the water to a boil.

3. Insert the candy thermometer into the boiling water. It is accurate if it reads 212 F. If you live higher than 2,000 feet above sea level, check an altitude table, because the boiling point will be lower than 212 F. Don't let the tip of the thermometer touch the bottom of the pan; it should set in the boiling water.

Tips & Warnings

• If your thermometer is adjustable, adjust its boiling temperature to 212 F. If it's not adjustable, calculate how many degrees higher or lower the thermometer reads from 212 F and adjust the temperature accordingly, by adding or subtracting the same number of degrees from the reading, when testing your candy.

References

• "Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book"; Jan Miller; 2006
• "Betty Crocker Cookbook, Heart Health Edition"; Betty Crocker; 2007
• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: High Altitude Cooking