So, you’re using a meat thermometer to temp your chicken as you cook. Good for you!
But simply using the meat thermometer to be sure food reaches a safe temperature won’t prevent your family from getting sick. There’s an extra step to keep in mind—one that may seem obvious, but that’s overlooked by many. You have to clean that thermometer between temperature tests.
Why Do I Have to Clean My Thermometer?
If the meat you’re testing isn’t fully cooked, the probe of the thermometer could be contaminated. Any bacteria on it (like salmonella) can be transferred back to the meat if the thermometer isn’t cleaned. So, even when the meat later reads as fully cooked, it still has the potential to make you sick.
This barbecue staple causes most cases of foodborne illness.
How to Clean a Meat Thermometer
To sanitize the thermometer, most home cooks should simply wash it with hot, soapy water. However, if you’re tailgating or at a campsite where hot water isn’t accessible, wiping it with a clean alcohol swab (like this) will also do the trick.
It’s a good practice to clean your thermometer thoroughly both before you use it for that meal and after you’re completely finished. Go the extra mile here. You simply don’t want to take chances when foodborne illness is a serious possibility.
Whether your thermometer of choice is high tech (we like this smart WiFi version), basic (here’s our choice for the best affordable option), or our Test Kitchen’s ultimate go-to, be sure to take good care of it and keep some hot soapy water handy. Your family will thank you.
Put Your Thermometer to Work Next Time You Grill!
1 / 75
Steak Fajitas
Zesty salsa and tender strips of steak make these traditional fajitas extra-special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Grilled Shrimp & Tomatoes with Linguine
This fancied-up pasta came about one night when I was coming up with dinner on the fly. We knew it turned out great with the very first bite. —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi
Big John's Chili-Rubbed Ribs
When my family thinks of summer grilling, it's ribs all the way. Our Asian-inspired recipe is a welcome change from the usual barbecue-sauce versions. —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Balsamic Steak Salad
My husband loves blue cheese and I like a hearty salad that eats like a meal, so I put the two things together to make this steak salad recipe. The sweet-tartness of dried cranberries pairs deliciously with the cheese, creamy avocado and balsamic vinegar. It's irresistible! —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Grilled Garden Veggie Pizza
Pile on the veggies—this crisp, grilled crust can take it! This colorful, healthy pizza looks as fresh as it tastes. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Firecracker Grilled Salmon
Let this sensational salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the taste buds, this weeknight dish is anything but boring. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, AL
Steak & New Potato Toss
I usually use leftover barbecued steak to make this fabulous main dish salad. It's pretty, too, with the red pepper, green broccoli and white potatoes. —Deyanne Davies, Rossland, British Columbia
Grilled Pork Noodle Salad
The only complex thing about this easy salad is the flavor! With smoky barbecued pork and a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables, this is a comforting and tasty home-cooked meal. —Rosalyn Nguyen, Astoria, New York
Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa
To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
Meat 'n' Potato Kabobs
They're summery, but these kabobs really stick to your ribs. A microwave makes quick work of cooking the potatoes, so grilling is done in a flash. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Summer Garden Fish Tacos
I like to serve fish tacos with quinoa and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you’ve got them, add colorful summer toppings like bright peppers, green onions or purple carrots. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Cajun Boil on the Grill
I came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado
Steak with Chipotle-Lime Chimichurri
Steak gets a flavor kick from chimichurri. This piquant, all-purpose herb sauce is so versatile, it complements most any grilled meat, poultry or fish. —Laureen Pittman, Riverside, California
Rosemary-Lemon Grilled Chicken
Here's a simple dish with big bold lemon and rosemary flavors that's made with very few ingredients. It's great by itself but can also be used on top of salad greens as another creative dinner option. —Debbie Carter, Kingsburg, California
Beef and Blue Cheese Penne with Pesto
Unique and simple to prepare, this delicious pasta dish is filled with fresh flavors, and it’s as healthy as it is hearty. Best of all, it takes just 30 minutes to set this meal on the table. —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas
Chicken Alfredo with Grilled Apples
If you've never grilled apples before, here's your excuse to start. I created this Alfredo-style chicken for a party. By the number of recipe requests, I knew it was a hit. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois
Quick Cajun Chicken Penne
I used to work at a restaurant that served a variation of chicken with penne pasta. I didn't know how easy it would be to make until I gave it a shot at home—now it's always a requested meal around my house. —Rusty Koll, Elmwood, Illinois
Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon
I have a huge herb garden and love using herbs in almost everything I cook. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we eat a lot of wild-caught salmon, so I use fresh herbs in this moist and delicious grilled recipe. On cooler days, bake it instead. —Michelle Glassmeyer Wunsch, Bothell, Washington
Hearty Pork Chops
Just six ingredients are required for the tasty mix that marinates these well-seasoned chops. Whip up the combination to marinate overnight, and you'll have dinner on the table in no time tomorrow. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Halibut Soft Tacos
I sometimes serve the fish wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Either way, the mango salsa tastes amazing with grilled halibut. This warm-weather favorite is quick, colorful and full of nutrients. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
Zesty Grilled Chops
These pork chops make a quick company dish. Our family enjoys them on the grill, as the summer weather in our part of the country is hot and muggy. In the wintertime, they're wonderful prepared in the broiler. —Blanche Babinski, Minto, North Dakota
Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs
My husband and I love to grill in the summer, especially vegetables. These kabobs not only taste delicious but they look great too! —Tina Oles, Nashwauk, Minnesota
Saucy Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Don't worry about the beer in the sauce—it's just root beer, which is a subtle undertone to the yummy sauce. —Terri Kandell, Addison, Michigan
Grilled Steak Bruschetta Salad
You'll want to fire up the grill just to make this impressive entree. The steaks cook quickly, and the salad prep takes almost no time at all. —Devon Delaney, Princeton, New Jersey
Maple-Thyme Chicken Thighs
We eat a lot of chicken at our house, and figuring out different ways to serve it gets challenging. My family went nuts for the cozy maple flavors in this recipe, so now I share it at potlucks, too. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Grilled Steak Salad with Tomatoes & Avocado
My family loves a good steak dinner, but with busy schedules, I'm often thinking about ways to put new and simple twists on things. This salad is flavored with the freshness of lemon and cilantro and is one of my husband's favorite weeknight dishes. —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia
Tender Pork Chops with Mango Salsa
I make the salsa and season the pork in the morning so it's ready to throw on the grill later. For a spicier topping, I add jalapenos to the salsa. —Andrea Rivera, Westbury, New York
Barbecued Shrimp & Peach Kabobs
Shrimp grilled with peaches and green onions really sets off fireworks! The spicy seasonings even helped me win a ribbon at a county fair. —Jen Smallwood, Portsmouth, Virginia
Southwest Steak & Potatoes
Bold seasonings give meat and potatoes a Southwest twist. Feel free to adjust the heat factor by using more or less chili powder. —Kenny Fisher, Lancaster, Ohio
Salmon Salad with Glazed Walnuts
This main-dish salad was inspired by a dish I enjoyed during a trip. The glazed walnuts give it a little something special. I've also topped it with grilled chicken or portobello mushrooms when I have them on hand. —Joanna Kobernik, Berkley, Michigan
Portobello Fajitas
I serve portobello fajitas family-style so guests can build their own. Just pass the tortillas and garnishes like salsa, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. —Carolyn Butterfield, Lake Stevens, Washington
Ginger Halibut with Brussels Sprouts
I moved to the United States from Russia and love cooking Russian food for family and friends. Halibut with soy sauce, ginger and pepper is a favorite. —Margarita Parker, New Bern, North Carolina
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California
Honey-Glazed Chicken Kabobs
This is one of my husband’s favorite meals. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina
Grilled Tilapia Piccata
We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio
Honey Chipotle Ribs
Nothing's better than having a sauce with the perfect consistency for slathering. Here's one that'll ensure a lip-smacking feast. Make the sauce up to a week ahead. —Caitlin Hawes, Westwood, Massachusetts
Grilled Veggie Pizza
I came up with this recipe one summer as a way to use up vegetables from our garden. Grilling the veggies first brings out their sizzling flavors. Try it with a sprinkling of olives or pine nuts before adding the cheese. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Brown Sugar Salmon with Strawberries
I first tasted strawberries and cucumber together when living in the UK; now they make a delicious relish for salmon. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, Virginia
Lemon Chicken Skewers
This easy-to-assemble recipe, with tender chunks of chicken and garden-fresh veggies, is always a hit at parties. —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia
Maple & Blue Cheese Steak
This is a wonderful, cheesy recipe that melts in your mouth. I love this traditional Canadian meal. It certainly has a special feel; the sauce is a fantastic complement to steak. —Susan Jerrott, Bedford, Nova Scotia
Lime-Glazed Pork Chops
These tangy grilled chops are all the talk at barbecues and tailgates. You gotta have them with the sweet and sour glaze. —Jacqueline Correa, Landing, New Jersey
Summer Steak Kabobs
These steak kabobs not only satisfy my love of outdoor cooking, they feature a mouthwatering marinade, too. It's terrific with chicken and pork, but I prefer it with beef because it tenderizes remarkably well. —Christi Ross, Guthrie, Texas
Blackened Chicken
This spicy blackened chicken packs a one-two punch of flavor. The grilled chicken is basted with a peppery white sauce—there's plenty of extra sauce left over for dipping. —Stephanie Kenney, Falkville, Alabama
Barbecued Alaskan Salmon
We eat salmon all summer long, and this is our favorite way to fix it. The mild sauce—brushed on as the fish grills—really enhances the taste. —Janis Smoke, King Salmon, Alaska.
Buttery Grilled Shrimp
This is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a special occasion, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Blue Cheese Flat Iron Steak
This is one of my favorite flat iron steak recipes. If you haven't already enjoyed the rich, creamy pairing of blue cheese with your favorite steak, stop reading and get cooking! I take it a step further by folding in a little butter to make the dish even more drool-worthy. —Amanda Martin, Monson, Massachusetts
Ricotta-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These mushrooms are rich and creamy and bright at the same time because of the fresh herbs and tomato. I especially like them served with grilled asparagus. —Tre Balchowsky, Sausalito, California
Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa
Years ago I found a grilled tilapia recipe in a seafood cookbook. The pineapple salsa with cilantro has a touch of spice and goes so well with the flaky, tender fish. —Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois
Spicy Barbecued Chicken
This spicy, saucy chicken is great served with basil-buttered grilled corn on the cob and fresh coleslaw. —Rita Wintrode, Corryton, Tennessee
Grilled Greek Pita Pizzas
This easy flatbread pizza captures classic Mediterranean flavors in every bite. It works equally well as a speedy main dish or an appetizer. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Spicy Pork Tenderloin with Mango Salsa
Cool, sweet mango salsa melds with the spicy rub on this pork tenderloin for a delicious, bold-flavored main dish. The colors and presentation are elegant. —Carolyn Cartelli, Parsippany, New Jersey
Grilled Steak Pinwheels
I've been serving this recipe to family and friends for 20 years and very seldom do I have any leftovers. We try to keep the house cool, so we grill out often. —Mary Hills, Scottsdale, Arizona
Lemon-Basil Grilled Shrimp & Couscous
The basil and lemon in this dish complement each other so nicely. Using fresh ingredients really makes a big difference. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Grilled Whiskey Chops
No one can believe that these fabulous chops are ready in half an hour! We love them for weeknights and family gatherings. The dollop of molasses butter on each chop is absolutely delish! —Kelly Melling, Frankton, Indiana
Quick Spicy Shrimp Kabobs
Shrimp lovers will adore these spicy, juicy kabobs. Adjust the cayenne to suit your preference for more or less heat. So quick and easy! —Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Flank Steak with Cilantro & Blue Cheese Butter
I love the combination of the sweet citrus marinade and the strong tang of the blue cheese butter. And my kids just love flank steak. —Gwen Wedel, Augusta, Michigan
Citrus-Marinated Chicken
This juicy, zesty chicken stars in many of my family’s summer meals. While there are a million ways to dress up poultry, you’ll find yourself turning to this recipe again and again. It’s that quick and easy! —Deborah Gretzinger, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Bourbon Brat Skewers
When the executive decision was made to marinate veggies in a tasty bourbon sauce and serve with grilled bratwurst, this recipe made our VIP party list. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Grilled Garden Pizza
Dazzle your family and friends with pizzas fresh off the grill. We top them with Asiago, Parmesan, veggies and fresh basil. Pile on the toppings you love. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Southwestern Catfish
Catfish fillets are rubbed with a blend that includes chili powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne and paprika, then topped with homemade salsa. A green salad, garlic bread and baked sweet potatoes round out the meal nicely. —Bruce Crittenden Clinton, Mississippi
Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs
When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Grilled Sausages with Summer Vegetables
After 30 years of camping, we've come up with an arsenal of surefire recipes. Our grilled sausage with veggies would be a superstar at a potluck. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio
Tuna with Tuscan White Bean Salad
Once the tuna hits the grill, do not move it around or it may tear the tuna. This recipe is for tuna that is still pink in the middle (medium rare). Increase the cooking time for tuna that is more cooked through. —Vance E. Werner Jr., Franklin, Wisconsin
Dad's Lemony Grilled Chicken
Lemon juice, onions and garlic add tangy flavor to chicken when firing up the grill. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
Caribbean-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Peach Salsa
I love this recipe because of the depth of flavors and burst of colors. It's quick and easy to make. It's best when peaches are in season, but you could try strawberries or pineapple instead. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Honey-Mustard Chicken
If my family had their wish, I'd serve chicken on the grill every night. This sweet and tangy glaze is an appealing alternative to traditional tomato-based sauces. —Heidi Holmes, Renton, Washington
Grilled Steaks with Greek Relish
My ribeye steak showcases the flavors of Greece my husband and I were introduced to while on a cruise. We like it with pita bread and hummus. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Grilled Chicken with Black Bean Salsa
Black bean salsa with mango gives this dish a Mexican taste without too much heat. I like to slice the chicken and serve it over a long grain and wild rice mix. —Terri Clouse, Connoquenessing, Pennsylvania
Grilled Salmon with Nectarines
My family liked this recipe so much, I made it for a potluck the very next day. Everyone raved about it there, too, even people who aren't particularly fond of fish. —Kerin Benjamin, Citrus Heights, California
Linda's Best Marinated Chicken
I have been using this grilled chicken recipe since I was 12 years old. That's 40-plus years! It is so moist and delicious, it will melt in your mouth. —Linda Pace, Lees Summit, Missouri
Grilled Lemon-Dill Shrimp
This grilled shrimp is one of my go-to recipes when I stare at the freezer and draw a blank. Add veggies if desired, but grill them separately. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Spicy Chicken Breasts with Pepper Peach Relish
This summery chicken recipe is simply packed with the good-for-your-eyes vitamins found in both peaches and peppers. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Sausage & Chicken Kabobs
My husband created this marinade while experimenting in the kitchen. It’s a perfect combination. Hope you enjoy it. —Diane Mateer, Florence, Kentucky
Grilled Eggplant Pita Pizzas
We grow eggplant and love to use it for our special pizza. Grilling adds robust flavor to the crust, veggies and garlic. Waiting for the eggplant to grow is the hardest part! —Judy Barrett, Chelsea, Alabama
Grilled Flank Steak with Summer Relish
My garden produces a nice harvest of tomatoes, scallions, corn, garlic and poblanos, so that's what I use to make relish for this tasty steak. —Brenda Washnock, Negaunee, Michigan
Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The post Are You Making This Dangerous Mistake with Your Meat Thermometer? appeared first on Taste of Home.
Grace Mannon