htc
Head Chef
Can I use a regular meat (probe) thermometer in place of a candy one? Thanks!!
Candy Thermometer Question
- Thread starter htc
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
Probably not. The temperature ranges are different. Meat thermometers typically go up to 220F. Candy thermometers need to go up into the 300s.
Poppinfresh
Senior Cook
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2006
- Messages
- 496
Not to mention you need a candy therm. to be instant read and with something to clip it to whatever you're cooking.
Be glad for this. It gives you an excuse to go out and buy a new tool
Be glad for this. It gives you an excuse to go out and buy a new tool
bethzaring
Master Chef
I have recently purchased two vintage candy thermometers on ebay. They are very sturdy, not like the ones at walmart. The vintage ones have the thermometer surrounded by a stainless steel tray and a sturdy clip to hold it on the side of the pan.
I'm with Andy on this ... NOPE! As he noted, a meat thermometer only goes up to about 220-F .... too low for candy making. For making candy you're looking at temps between 235-F (soft ball stage) and 380-F (dark caramel). But, they are not expensive and double as deep-frying thermometers, too! They DO NOT need to be instant read ... because they are left in the candy/oil to monitor the progress of the temperature ... keeps you from over heating the candy/oil.
