What is the tool commonly used to measure food temperature?

The food thermometer is the standard tool used to measure food temperature accurately. It provides critical information needed for food safety, ensuring that cooked and chilled food reaches the appropriate temperatures to kill harmful bacteria or maintain freshness. There are several types of food thermometers, including digital and dial varieties, each designed for specific culinary tasks, such as checking the doneness of meat or ensuring that foods are held at safe serving temperatures.

In contrast, thermostats are typically used to control the temperature of appliances like ovens or refrigerators rather than measuring the temperature of food directly. Infrared cameras can measure surface temperatures but are not suitable for determining the internal temperature of food products, which is crucial for safety. An analog scale is used for weighing ingredients, not for temperature measurement. Thus, the food thermometer stands out as the best choice for this purpose.