If theres one thing ubiquitous with the American holiday of Thanksgiving, its eating turkey. Millions of people throughout the United States sit down to a big meal that typically includes turkey as one of the main courses. Dining on a big roasted or fried bird has been a staple for centuries because turkey is one of the foods believed to have been shared between the pilgrims and Native Americans when they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. (Although we now know that its more likely they may have eaten fowl like ducks and geese along with some venison, explains NPR.)
For many people, roasting a turkey is a little bit easier thanks to a simple little gadget known as the pop-up timer. This smart piece of technology lets you know when your turkey is done so you dont have to stress over it. All you have to do is wait until the red indicator stick pops up and you know the bird is done and its time to eat.
But have you ever wondered how that timer knows exactly when your turkey is completely cooked? Read on to find out.
As Thanksgiving approaches many home cooks are preparing to roast a turkey for their holiday feast. Most store-bought turkeys come with a handy pop-up timer that is meant to indicate when the turkey is fully cooked. This small red indicator pops up when it reaches a certain internal temperature. But is the turkey really done cooking when the red thing pops up? The short answer is no. While the pop-up timer seems like a convenient indicator it is not actually a reliable measure of doneness. Relying solely on the pop-up timer can lead to undercooked or overcooked turkey.
How a Pop-Up Turkey Timer Works
The pop-up timer is a simple thermometer built into the turkey breast. It consists of a small red indicator on a spring surrounded by a metal case. Inside is a piece of metal alloy that melts at 165°F, the USDA’s recommended safe minimum internal temperature for poultry. When the turkey reaches this temperature, the melted metal releases the spring and the red indicator “pops” up to signal the turkey is done.
On the surface, this seems like a clever foolproof system. The metal alloy melts at the ideal temperature for safe turkey, so the pop-up should indicate the turkey is safely and properly cooked. However, there are a few issues with relying solely on the pop-up timer:
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It only measures the internal temperature at one location in the turkey breast. Different parts of the turkey cook at different rates. The breast may be 165° while the thighs are still undercooked.
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The timer may “pop” when just part of the breast reaches 165°, while other areas are still under 165°.
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The timer itself may be off by a few degrees. They are not terribly accurate.
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The timer is designed to pop at the USDA’s bare minimum temperature for poultry (165°F). Many chefs and cooking experts recommend cooking turkey to a higher temperature for optimum juiciness and tenderness.
Why the Pop-Up Timer Can Lead to Over or Undercooked Turkey
The pop-up timer often “pops” when the breast alone reaches 165°F-175°F, signaling the turkey is done. However, the thighs and other areas may still be undercooked at this point. Poultry needs to reach 165°F throughout all parts to be safely cooked. Undercooked poultry can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Additionally, the breast can easily overcook and turn dry and stringy if cooked until the pop-up timer goes off. The breast may hit 170°-180°F by the time the timer pops, while the thighs lag behind at a lower temperature. This temperature discrepancy leads to overdone breast and underdone thighs.
For best results, the breast and thighs should reach 170°-175°F evenly. Cooking the bird to this higher range helps ensure all parts are fully cooked while keeping the breast juicy and tender. But stopping when the pop-up timer indicates 165°F often does not allow the thighs to reach the ideal internal temperature.
Using a Thermometer Instead for Accurate Doneness
Rather than relying on the pop-up timer, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature in multiple spots. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, taking care not to hit bone. Double check the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh as well. The turkey is safely cooked and ready to carve when the breast and thighs both reach 170°-175°F.
The pop-up timer is convenient, but should not be solely relied upon. Use it in conjunction with a good thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked to the proper doneness throughout. For best results, disregard the pop-up altogether and use your thermometer to monitor temperature. This helps prevent both undercooked and overcooked turkey disasters. With an accurate thermometer, you can feel confident your holiday bird will be perfectly and safely cooked.
A Funky Thermometer
If your turkey has a pre-inserted pop-up timer — most turkeys you buy from the grocery store do — you dont have to worry about using a separate meat thermometer. When the turkeys timer pops up, its signaling to you the bird is done. Heres how it works:
A pop-up timer found in a turkey or chicken normally has four parts (see above):
- A: The stick that pops up (typically red)
- B: The outer case (typically white or light blue)
- C: A spring
- D: Piece of soft metal similar to solder
The soft metal (D in the ) is solid at room temperature but turns to a liquid (melts) at about 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). When the metal melts, it releases the red stick (A) and the spring (C) pops up the stick so you know the turkey is done.
Turkey is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). If your turkey didnt include a pop-up timer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness. Simply insert the thermometer into the innermost part of the turkeys thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast, being sure not to hit bone. If it registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit, its done.
One little-known fact is that these timers are reusable. If you dip the tip in hot water it will re-melt the metal and you can push the pop-up piece back into place. Then let it cool, and the pop-up piece will be back in its original position — ready to use again.
Is a turkey done when the red thing pops?
FAQ
Does the red thing pop out when the turkey is done?
Many supermarket turkeys come with a little red indicator centered in the breast meat. It’s supposed to pop up when the turkey’s done, giving you the peace of mind to know when to pull the turkey from the oven and let it rest.
Is turkey done when popper pops?
This smart piece of technology lets you know when your turkey is done so you don’t have to stress over it. All you have to do is wait until the red indicator stick pops up and you know the bird is done and it’s time to eat.
What is the red plastic thing on a turkey?
The turkey I purchased had something that looked like a plastic “button” in the breast. What is it, should I remove it before cooking the turkey? The “button” you referred to is a pop-up temperature indicator, commonly called a Pop-Up Timer. No, the Pop-Up Timer should not be removed before cooking.
Can a pop-up timer tell if a Turkey is cooked?
For these reasons, the pop-up timer should not be trusted as the sole indicator of doneness when cooking your turkey. To be sure your turkey is fully cooked, you need to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature in multiple spots.
How does a pop-up Turkey timer work?
Inside a standard pop-up turkey timer, there’s a red plastic indicator stick that sits in a plastic casing. The stick has a spring wrapped around it. The soft metal in the tip warms as the turkey roasts and eventually melts at around 180 degrees F. Then the red stick is released from the metal and the spring makes it pop up.
What makes a Turkey stick pop up?
The red stick: This is the part that pops up when the turkey is cooked. The outer case: This is typically white or light blue and houses the inner workings of the timer. A spring: This helps the red stick pop up when the metal melts. A piece of soft metal: This metal melts at 165°F, triggering the spring and causing the red stick to pop up.
Should you use a pop-up Turkey timer this Thanksgiving?
There’s one kitchen gadget you should avoid using this Thanksgiving in order to prepare the ideal turkey. Ironically, it’s the pop-up turkey timer. Of all the kitchen appliances, a pop-up turkey timer—the kind that fits into your store-bought bird—is arguably the least dependable.
How accurate is a Turkey pop-up timer?
Accuracy: Pop-up timers are often placed in the breast, which is the thinnest part of the turkey. This means the timer may pop up before the thicker parts, like the thighs, have reached a safe temperature. Reliability: The mechanism of the timer can be affected by factors like placement within the turkey and manufacturing inconsistencies.
How do Turkey timers work?
Here’s how turkey timers actually work. Inside a standard pop-up turkey timer, there’s a red plastic indicator stick that sits in a plastic casing. The stick has a spring wrapped around it. The soft metal in the tip warms as the turkey roasts and eventually melts at around 180 degrees F.