If a thermometer reads outside the acceptable accuracy, what should you do?

• A. Calibrate the thermometer
• B. Ignore the reading
• C. Replace or calibrate the thermometer
• D. Use the thermometer anyway

Answer: (C)

When a thermometer reads outside the acceptable accuracy, you must address the instrument to ensure reliable temperature measurements. If the device can be calibrated and the drift can be corrected within its adjustment range, recalibrating brings it back to a valid, safe range. If calibration isn’t possible or the reading is far out of spec, replace the thermometer so you’re not relying on an unreliable tool for determining cooking, cooling, or holding temperatures. Using or ignoring a faulty reading can lead to unsafe food practices, since decisions about doneness and time/temperature control depend on accurate measurements. Verifying calibration with known references (like ice water or boiling water) helps confirm whether the thermometer is now accurate, but the essential action is to either calibrate it or replace it.