Accurate temperatures are important in the kitchen, not only for properly cooked food, but also for food safety.

Some foods, particularly chicken, pork and microwaved meals, must reach a certain internal temperature in order to kill off any harmful bugs. A meat thermometer and a microwave thermometer should help give you peace of mind.

Fridges and freezers are breeding grounds for unwanted bacteria and must therefore be kept below specific temperatures. A fridge/freezer thermometer will reassure you that your appliances are operating at the correct temperature.

Oven thermometers

Oven thermostats can be unreliable and it's a good idea to have a thermometer to check if the actual oven temperature is different from that to which you've set.

The most reliable are thought to be spirit thermometers -the ones with a graduated glass tube filled with coloured liquid.

Spring loaded oven thermometers (the round metal ones) are less accurate because the spring is easily damaged. If you decide on one of these, choose one that's sturdily made. And be careful not to drop it.

Meat thermometers

A meat thermometer will help produce a roast cooked to exactly the right stage of doneness. Digital probe models are the easiest to read and manipulate. The probe goes deep into the meat giving an instant accurate read-out.

There are also thermometers called chef's forks, which work well for meat but are large and unwieldy. Spring loaded meat thermometers are widely available but they have the same drawbacks as spring loaded oven thermometers.

Sugar/jam thermometer

This traditionally styled thermometer indicates the various stages in jam-boiling and sweet-making. It also shows the sterilisation point for yogurt, and is helpful for checking fat temperatures when deep frying.

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