candy thermometer-other uses?
Hello!
I am purchasing my very first (awww) candy thermometer today, and I was curious as to whether I could use it as a general thermometer as well? Or is it specifically for candies?
Ex: when heating oil, can i use it to detect the temperature of that as well?
Many thanks!
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8 Comments:
When I played soccer, I used my mom's candy thermometer to get the correct temperature to mold my mouthguards... if that counts as multi-tasking!
I'm sure if it's sturdy enough, you can use it however you want!
Lilly at 4:02PM on 09/22/08
Sure. I use thermometers to check the temperatures of water I'm proofing yeast in, for instance. I think they're a really great thing for those of us who are fudge-impaired, and I only use mine a couple of times a year, but knowing it's there is fine with me. Same with a meat thermometer. I understand not buying those small single-use appliances (Salad Shooters, anyone?), but thermometers don't take up much space and take the guesswork out of what can be painstaking work.
lemons at 4:19PM on 09/22/08
The best candy thermometer I've run across is the $12.99 Chefmate digital thermometer from Target that goes up to 450 degrees. It's an instant read, so you can use it to check meats and poultry, as well as for frying and candy.
beth1 at 7:14PM on 09/22/08
or oil for deep frying. My candy says for candy or oil.
http://luv2cooktoomuch.blogspot.com/ ">luv2cook
love2cook at 9:01PM on 09/22/08
Some of the candy thermometers are glass or have glass bulbs. If that's what you're buying, make sure to pay attention to the instructions about thermal shock. Broken bits of glass are not tasty.
Otherwise, a thermometer is a thermometer. It just depends on what range it is able to measure. And a candy thermometer will pobably have the different candy stages marked for easy reference.
dbcurrie at 12:25AM on 09/23/08
When I was really new to bread baking, I also used my thermometer to proof yeast (sometimes still do on cold days...)
Mine's glass, so I'm still scared to use it when deep frying, but I've used it before for making fruit curds or heating milk to make yogurt or cheese.
When I was really new to bread baking, I also used my thermometer to proof yeast (and sometimes still do on cold days...)
jazzinx at 12:39AM on 09/23/08
thank you all very much! this has been a huge help; donuts and candy making in one week calls for some versatile equipment.
in dubious batter at 9:13AM on 09/23/08
I actually got mine to try making cheese
MikeA at 11:43PM on 09/23/08