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I don't have and don't want to buy a kitchen thermometer (many are inaccurate anyway), is there a way to know approximately whether, say, a soup is less than 200F, 300F? What is the hottest a hand could stand without being burned?
I really have to believe a thermometer is more accurate than your sense of touch.
If it is boiling it is over 212*, if not boiling it is under. Other than that no obvious way to tell.
btw, I have several thermometers in the kitchen and find them to be useful.
I don't have and don't want to buy a kitchen thermometer (many are inaccurate anyway), is there a way to know approximately whether, say, a soup is less than 200F, 300F? What is the hottest a hand could stand without being burned?
Go by taste? Especially with soup, it's not a major deal on temp.
Maybe you'll get a thermometer for your birthday or valentines day. Accurate or inaccurate, as long as they are consistent, you know about what the temp is. I've found ovens to be the most inaccurate. Doesn't matter though, cook with what ya got and like, make adjustments as needed. Use your gut. (pun intended)
I can't imagine that with soup, accurate temperatures are very important, like they are in certain types of candy making or yogurt making, for example.
Go by taste? Especially with soup, it's not a major deal on temp.
Yeah, the temperature of soup isn't really that important, but you probably want to know if your chicken or your pork roast is cooked through. Which you can eyeball, but a thermometer works better (and it's nice to have that backup.) Or if you're making candy, a candy thermometer is useful. Meat thermometers really aren't all that expensive, anyway.
I don't have and don't want to buy a kitchen thermometer (many are inaccurate anyway), is there a way to know approximately whether, say, a soup is less than 200F, 300F? What is the hottest a hand could stand without being burned?
Stick your finger in and you will know if you can stand it but it is not a thermometer.
Thanks to a rather inexpensive thermometer SO's grilling has extremely improved and I have not had a dried out roast.
For entertainment: My grandfather was a chef. I wanted to know when boiled potatoes are done. He told me to take one of the pot, hold it with my fingers, arm stretched out and I would know. Needless to say I dropped the hot ball of starch in no time, had sticky stuff all over the kitchen and he grinned. It was time to scrub floors and cabinets.
Spend 10 dollars and use a thermometer. It hurts less.
Maybe I'm nuts, but I'd spend the $10-12 to eliminate the risk of ruining a $30+ prime rib. Or making my friends hate me for giving them food poisoning by giving them undercooked meat. . .
If there is chicken or pork in a soup, I take a piece out & cut it to see if it is cooked all the way through. It is easy to see if it is cooked or not. Potatoes, I test with a knife.
Stick your finger in and you will know if you can stand it but it is not a thermometer.
Thanks to a rather inexpensive thermometer SO's grilling has extremely improved and I have not had a dried out roast.
For entertainment: My grandfather was a chef. I wanted to know when boiled potatoes are done. He told me to take one of the pot, hold it with my fingers, arm stretched out and I would know. Needless to say I dropped the hot ball of starch in no time, had sticky stuff all over the kitchen and he grinned. It was time to scrub floors and cabinets.
Spend 10 dollars and use a thermometer. It hurts less.
Cruel grandfather The way to find out if a potato is done is to stick a fork in it and pick it up. If it falls out easily then it's done, if the potato crumbles it is overdone.
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The way to find out if a potato is done is to stick a fork in it and pick it up. If it falls out easily then it's done, if the potato crumbles it is overdone.
