You can’t just rely on pop-up thermometers.

Every November, the stress and excitement of preparation Thanksgiving dinner start. Deciding on the size and how much to cook the turkey is part of the equation, along with knowing that the bird has reached the right temperature and it is ready to be taken out of the oven.

Some turkeys include pop-up thermometers that are already placed in the bird to make life more convenient. The idea is simple: thermometers will appear when the predetermined temperature is reached. But these handy indicators may not be as useful as you think.

We spoke with two food safety experts about why pop-up thermometers serve as an indicator rather than a reliable temperature reading, where is the best place to check a turkey’s temperature, and why it’s important to use a meat thermometer to find out when your the turkey is ready.

Meet the experts

• Keith Schneider is a professor of food safety in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida.

• Kimberly Baker is team director for the food systems and safety program at Clemson University, South Carolina

Why you shouldn’t rely on a pop-up thermometer

If you have he bought a turkey with a pop-up thermometer, it may seem like all you have to do is set the oven temperature, put the turkey in the oven, and wait for it to pop up to let you know the turkey is ready.

The idea may seem simple and practical, but food safety experts don’t recommend relying solely on this type of thermometer to know when your turkey is done. “They’re not very precise and not very accurate,” Keith Schneider, professor of food safety in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that a turkey’s minimum internal temperature must reach 165°F to be safe. “People should avoid relying solely on pop-up thermometers to make sure their turkey has reached the safe internal temperature of 165°F,” says Kimberly Baker, director of the food systems and safety program team at Clemson University. South Carolina.

“Although these thermometers are generally accurate to within 1 to 2°F, they can sometimes appear before the turkey is fully cooked, potentially signaling temperatures well below the safe threshold,” says Baker.

Undercooked turkey

Schneider agrees that the temperature could drop a few degrees, and you won’t know unless you use a meat thermometer. The worst-case scenario, he says, is to take the turkey out of the oven when the thermometer shows, but the bird is undercooked, potentially exposing guests to the risk of illness.

If you start slicing the bird and find that it’s not fully cooked, not only does it delay dinner, but you’ll have to put it back in the oven and you may not know exactly when it’s done.

Problems with pop-up thermometers

Other problems that can occur with a pop-up thermometer, Schneider points out, is that they don’t come on at all or come on too late, leaving you with an overcooked bird.

Baker says there’s also the possibility of a faulty device. “There is a small risk of manufacturer defects that can cause the thermometer to indicate that the turkey has reached the safe temperature of 165°F, even though it hasn’t,” she says.

Related: Uh-Oh: You overcooked your Thanksgiving turkey. Here’s how to fix it

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What if you only have a pop-up thermometer?

If you only have a pop-up thermometer, Baker and Schneider agree that they serve as an indicator and are better than nothing. “If you don’t have a thermometer, and your bird comes with a pop-up thermometer, that’s a good indication of when it’s done,” says Schneider. “The problem I have with them is I don’t know what temperature it is (when) it comes on. Is it 155°F, 175°F or is it 180°F?”

Relying on a meat thermometer is best for food safety, convenience, and knowing exactly when your turkey is done.

Use a meat thermometer for accurate temperature readings

Investing in a meat thermometer it’s worth the small cost to have a successful turkey cooking experience. “You can get one at your favorite online shopping store or box store in town for about $15 (or) even less,” Schneider says. They’re more accurate and allow you to check the turkey in multiple locations to make sure it’s cooked properly, he adds.

“Using a digital or dial meat thermometer is a more reliable way to make sure your turkey reaches the minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F because it gives an accurate temperature reading,” says Baker, “Rather than just a gauge , like a pop. – thermometer up.”

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Where to check the temperature of the turkey

Where you measure the temperature is key to getting an accurate reading on your turkey. Check the temperature in the two thickest parts of the bird, the thighs and the breast, Baker and Schneider say. “Checking both zones ensures that each has reached the safe minimum of 165°F,” says Baker.

Be sure to take precautions when inserting the thermometer, as if it hits the bone, it could give an incorrect reading. “Be careful not to let the thermometer probe touch any bones or panbecause they can conduct heat and lead to inaccurate readings,” says Baker.

Another tip for getting the temperature right is, “Make sure the entire sensing area of ​​the thermometer probe is fully inserted into the meat for the most accurate result,” says Baker.

How to check the accuracy of your meat thermometer

Whether you cook a lot of meat year-round or just have a meat thermometer on hand for holiday meals, running an accuracy check to check the readings can give you peace of mind.

An easy way to check the thermometer’s accuracy, according to Baker, is: “You can submerge the thermometer in a slurry of ice water, which should read 32°F, or boiling water, which should read 212°F “.

She also recommends consulting the thermometer manufacturer’s instructions for specific instructions on how best to perform an accuracy check.