Why Is My Food Undercooked When Using MEATER?
If your food has come out undercooked during a MEATER cook, don't worry — this is almost always down to one of a few common factors rather than an issue with the probe itself. Here's what might have caused it and how you can get the best results next time.
Was Your Meat Frozen or Very Cold Before Cooking?
MEATER calculates rest times based on how quickly the internal temperature rises at the start of your cook. If your meat is extremely cold or was recently frozen, the temperature will rise more slowly than expected, which can cause the resting period to trigger too early — before the meat is actually done.
To avoid this, make sure your meat has risen to around 5°C/40°F before you start cooking, or let it rest at room temperature for a few minutes beforehand.
Was the Probe Inserted Correctly?
Probe placement is one of the most common reasons food comes out undercooked. If the internal sensor is too close to the surface of the meat, or the probe hasn't been inserted deeply enough, it can pick up the higher air temperature outside of the meat — causing the app to think the cook is finished before it actually is.
For the best results, insert the probe so that the sensor sits in the center of the thickest part of the meat, roughly halfway between the minimum insertion notch and the black ceramic handle. It's also worth noting that cooking very small or thin pieces of meat can be trickier for this reason, though this is less of an issue with MEATER Pro thanks to its slimmer probe design and additional sensors.
You'll also want to make sure the sensor isn't too close to any bone or fatty sections, as these can interfere with an accurate temperature reading.
Does the Doneness Level Match What You Expected?
MEATER's temperature settings are based on USDA-recommended temperatures, but everyone has their own sense of what "Medium Rare" or "Well Done" looks like based on personal experience. While MEATER is highly accurate in its readings, it can be harder to guarantee the results will always match your individual expectations. If you'd like to fine-tune your cook, take a look at our guide on Creating the Perfect Cook.
Is Something Still Not Right?
If you've worked through the above and your results are still not what you'd expect, please reach out to our support team and we'll be happy to help investigate further.