Looking for a Great Father's Day Present? Is the Dad in Your Life a Griller?

We use a food thermometer whenever we grill meat -- it's the only way to be sure food is adequately cooked. Chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees* to kill harmful bacteria like certain strains of Salmonella and E. Coli O 157.

The temperature can easily be tested using an instant cooking or meat thermometer. Follow the instructions on your thermometer, but remember that "instant" thermometers do NOT stay in the meat while cooking. Simply insert, watch the reading climb until it stops, and that's the current internal temperature of the meat. If it's not hot enough yet, remove the thermometer and continue to cook, then retest.

Simple and accurate analogue thermometers can be purchased for under $10. Digital models are easier to read and run about $25 or if the Dad on your list is a tech-gadget-guy go for the high-end Thermapen Instant Read Thermometer.

The Original Super-Fast Thermapen Instant Read Thermometer is available online at Amazon.com

*For a full list of cooking temperature for each meat, see the USDA Food Safety Factsheet.

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