How do meat thermometers work?

Question

What is inside them and what is their mechanism?

Answer 1

They're electrical thermometers. A piece of metal heats up, and the device runs a current through it and measures its resistance. Hotter metals have a higher electrical resistance, so measuring the resistance allows you to somewhat accurately determine the temperature.

Answer 2

Yes, electrical is one way. Another way, In the ones with little dials, is what is called a "Bimetallic strip." this is just two thin pieces of different metals, that expand and contract at different rates, which have been bonded together. heat causes the strip to bend or twist, depending on the temperature of the meat.

The Cheap pop-up timers that come with turkeys are also kind of interesting. they have a little spring inside which is encased in "Monell metal." This is a special alloy which melts at a low temperature, around the boiling point of water. once the turkey gets hot enough, the alloy melts and the spring pops free. By the way you can reset these by pushing down the plunger while dipping them into boiling water, then into cold water.

Answer 3

if they are turkey thermometors, u just stick it in the turkey somewhere, put it in the over, and wait for it to gradually pop up...it wont litterally pop.