The Ins and Outs of Turkey Pop Up Timers

Turkey pop up timers have become a staple for many home cooks during the holidays. These handy devices are inserted into turkeys before cooking, and are designed to pop up when the turkey has reached the ideal internal temperature of 165°F. While they offer a convenient way to gauge doneness, pop up timers have received mixed reviews over the years. In this article we’ll take an in-depth look at how pop up turkey timers work, their reliability and whether or not you can trust them alone to determine if your turkey is cooked thoroughly.

How Do Pop Up Timers Work?

A pop up timer contains a spring loaded red indicator stick that sits inside a metal case. Inside the tip of the indicator is a piece of metal alloy that melts at 165°F. As the turkey cooks, this metal softens until it liquefies, releasing the indicator stick and allowing the spring to pop it up for visual notification that the turkey has reached the target internal temperature. They are designed as single use gadgets, as once popped up, they cannot be pushed back down.

Pop up timers are often added to store bought turkeys by the processor before the bird is packaged. Many brands like Butterball opt not to include them since they can be unreliable. However, you can also buy pop up timers separately and insert them yourself into turkeys or roasts if they didn’t come pre-equipped.

Are Pop Up Timers Reliable?

The reliability of pop up timers has been called into question over the years. In testing by Consumer Reports, they found that while most popped up between 165-175°F as intended, several low-cost timers popped up prematurely while the turkey was still undercooked. This poses a major safety issue, as serving undercooked poultry can potentially cause foodborne illness.

The problem lies in the variability of the metal alloy used. Factors like imprecise mixing during manufacturing and even slight variations in placement within the turkey can impact the melting point, causing the pop up to activate before the safe temperature is reached.

Other common complaints are that pop up timers occasionally fail to pop up at all, or do so when the turkey is significantly overcooked. Oven hot spots and the timer position in the bird can impact its functionality

Should You Rely on Pop Up Timers Alone?

Both Consumer Reports and the USDA recommend using a meat thermometer to double check your turkey even if it has a pop up timer Thermometers take the guesswork out of determining doneness and are extremely reliable when used properly

For optimal safety, a food thermometer should be used to check the internal temperature of the turkey in several spots, including the thickest part of the breast and thigh. The turkey should register 165°F at a minimum on a food thermometer before removing it from the oven. If your pop up timer has not popped but the turkey has reached the proper internal temp, you can safely remove it from the oven.

Additionally, the juices should run clear when pricked with a fork or knife tip. Pink, bloody juices are a sign that the turkey needs more time in the oven.

Pop Up Timer Alternatives

If you’re concerned about the reliability issues surrounding pop up timers, there are several alternatives:

• Leave-in meat thermometers – Probe thermometers like the ThermoWorks ChefAlarm can be inserted in the turkey before roasting and will alarm when the target temp is reached. Models with wireless remotes allow temperature monitoring from across the kitchen.
• Instant-read thermometers – Affordable and very accurate, instant read thermometers like the Thermapen Mk4 provide nearly instant temperature readings with the touch of a probe. They can be used to check multiple spots on the cooked turkey.
• Oven roasting bags – Cooking your turkey in an oven roasting bag helps retain moisture and reduces oven cleanup. Some bags have built in pop up timers that work more reliably than those loose in the cavity. Always use a meat thermometer too for safety.
• Remote oven monitoring – New smart ovens and accessories like the June Oven camera and Meater Plus allow you to monitor your turkey’s cooking via smartphone even when not at home, taking the guesswork out of timing.

Turkey Pop Up Timer Tips

If using a pop up timer, keep these tips in mind for best results:

• Test for doneness in multiple spots with an instant read or leave-in meat thermometer, even if the pop up has activated. The minimum safe temp is 165°F.
• Avoid potential oven hot spots by rotating the pan periodically for even cooking.
• Insert the timer carefully into the thickest part of the breast, parallel to the bone rather than near cavity edges.
• Use a secondary timer as backup in case the pop up fails to activate. Check the turkey frequently near the expected finish time.
• Never eat turkey or poultry that has not reached 165°F as indicated by a food thermometer, even if the pop up has popped. When in doubt, keep cooking it until the proper internal temp is reached.
• Consider buying a higher quality pop up timer from a reputable kitchen store rather than an ultra-cheap timer if using one. But still verify with a thermometer.
• If your turkey came pre-equipped with a timer, check reviews online for warnings about reliability issues for that brand’s timers. You may want to insert a second backup.

While pop up timers can be convenient if used properly, they should never be solely relied upon to determine turkey doneness. Always use a thermometer to double check for safety. With some basic precautions, you can enjoy perfectly cooked holiday turkey!