Instant Read Thermometer

It's crucial to have a good thermometer on hand, especially for meals that are difficult to verify for doneness otherwise. It's essential for large chunks of meat, poultry, and fish, such as roasts or whole birds, but it's also useful for smaller cuts. The thermometer will take the guesswork out of checking for doneness on individual pieces of steak and poultry if you haven't perfected the poke test.

Deep-frying thermometers are also useful. It's tough to distinguish the difference between oil at 350F and oil at 375F, for example, no matter how skilled you are. The food may absorb too much oil and turn mushy if the temperature is too low. When cooking sugar or baking bread, you may require a thermometer whether you're an intermediate to experienced baker. For cakes and custards, some recipes even specify an optimal internal temperature. Before the taste test, the only sure-fire method to determine if your dessert is successful is to check the temperature.