Which thermometer is most effective for measuring the internal temperature of a thick steak?

• A. Infrared thermometer
• B. Dial thermometer
• C. Penetration thermometer
• D. Surface thermometer

Answer: (C)

To know when a thick steak is doneness is about reading the temperature inside the meat, not just on the outside. A penetration thermometer has a probe that you insert into the center of the steak, placing the sensor right in the interior for an accurate read of the core temperature as it cooks. Infrared thermometers measure surface heat, which can be hotter or cooler than the center depending on searing and cooking progress, so they don’t reliably indicate internal doneness for a thick cut. A surface thermometer reads the outside, and while a dial thermometer can measure internally if placed properly, a dedicated penetration thermometer is designed to give the most reliable internal reading during cooking. This makes it the best choice for thick steak.