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I keep getting emails like THIS: "Clearly not true! Pop-up thermometers in turkeys are spring loaded with a dab of glue that holds the spring, which dissolve at 160 degrees Fahrenheit." And "My turkey thermometer has no liquid in it! They are made of a bimetallic zinc/copper strip."
Darwin says, "Uh... There are *three* kinds of turkey
thermometers, folks. The one-time use melt triggers, the bimetallic strips which are perfectly safe for oven use, and THE KIND WITH RED OMINIOUS LIQUID. Just because *yours* is not dangerous, doesn't mean
THIS bird wasn't polluted with exploded glass
and unidentified red liquid chemicals. Still... perhaps this was just hungry people
taking a chance..."
Wade says, "The mysterious red liquid in thermometers is alcohol with red colorant. Much safer than mercury, in the case of breakage. But still not a good thing to ingest."
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Tainted Turkey
(23 November 2000, Connecticut) A family tradition spiraled into disaster when a meat thermometer exploded in a roasting turkey on Thanksgiving Day. The family of five decided to eat the turkey anyway, and in short order they were dialing for an ambulance. The family was rushed to the hospital, treated, and released. Officials are still trying to determine what chemical was in the thermometer. Looks like we can expect a new warning label next year: "Contents of this thermometer are not to be used as a condiment."
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