If theres one thing ubiquitous with the American holiday of Thanksgiving, its eating turkey. Millions of people throughout the United States sit down to a big meal that typically includes turkey as one of the main courses. Dining on a big roasted or fried bird has been a staple for centuries because turkey is one of the foods believed to have been shared between the pilgrims and Native Americans when they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. (Although we now know that its more likely they may have eaten fowl like ducks and geese along with some venison, explains NPR.)
For many people, roasting a turkey is a little bit easier thanks to a simple little gadget known as the pop-up timer. This smart piece of technology lets you know when your turkey is done so you dont have to stress over it. All you have to do is wait until the red indicator stick pops up and you know the bird is done and its time to eat.
But have you ever wondered how that timer knows exactly when your turkey is completely cooked? Read on to find out.
Butterball is one of the most popular and trusted turkey brands for holiday feasts Their turkeys are known for quality and ease of cooking But an common question is – do Butterball turkeys come with a pop up timer? Let’s take a closer look at what pop up timers are and whether Butterball uses them.
What is a Pop Up Turkey Timer?
A pop up timer is a small plastic device inserted into the breast meat of a raw turkey. It contains a spring held down by a piece of metal designed to melt at 165°F. When the metal melts, the spring pops up a red indicator stick. This signals the turkey breast has reached the minimum safe internal temperature.
The pop up timer aims to eliminate guesswork and prevent undercooked poultry. However, many cooks debate their usefulness and reliability.
Does Butterball Use Pop Up Timers?
The short answer is no – Butterball turkeys do not contain pop up timers. Butterball the largest turkey producer in the U.S. has chosen not to use this device in their poultry products.
There are several reasons Butterball avoids pop up timers:
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Inaccurate readings – Timers can fail and not pop up at all or pop prematurely. Their position in the breast can impact temps.
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Only monitors breast temp – Dark meat needs higher temperature but timer doesn’t indicate that.
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Food safety risks – Many users rely solely on the timer, leading to undercooked poultry.
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Use of plastics – Some consumers want to avoid cooking plastics along with their food.
With these concerns, Butterball omits pop up timers in their turkeys. Their thorough cooking instructions instead recommend using a meat thermometer to accurately monitor doneness.
How to Properly Cook a Butterball Turkey
To cook Butterball turkeys perfectly and safely without a pop up timer:
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Carefully follow package instructions for thawing, seasoning and roasting.
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Use a good digital instant read thermometer. Check temps in both breast and thigh meat.
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Cook breast to 165°F minimum and thighs to 180°F. Let rest before carving.
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Allow 15-18 minutes per pound at 325°F. Increase time if stuffed or for larger birds.
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Make sure turkey reaches safe internal temperature even if instructions say cook for a certain time.
With the right tools and techniques, you can roast a juicy, delicious Butterball turkey without relying on a pop up timer. Invest in a thermometer and learn proper food safety.
The pop up timers may provide some guidance, but should never replace checking true temperatures. Trust the experts at Butterball that the pop up timers aren’t necessary for serving safe, flavorful holiday birds.
A Funky Thermometer
If your turkey has a pre-inserted pop-up timer — most turkeys you buy from the grocery store do — you dont have to worry about using a separate meat thermometer. When the turkeys timer pops up, its signaling to you the bird is done. Heres how it works:
A pop-up timer found in a turkey or chicken normally has four parts (see above):
- A: The stick that pops up (typically red)
- B: The outer case (typically white or light blue)
- C: A spring
- D: Piece of soft metal similar to solder
The soft metal (D in the ) is solid at room temperature but turns to a liquid (melts) at about 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). When the metal melts, it releases the red stick (A) and the spring (C) pops up the stick so you know the turkey is done.
Turkey is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). If your turkey didnt include a pop-up timer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness. Simply insert the thermometer into the innermost part of the turkeys thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast, being sure not to hit bone. If it registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit, its done.
One little-known fact is that these timers are reusable. If you dip the tip in hot water it will re-melt the metal and you can push the pop-up piece back into place. Then let it cool, and the pop-up piece will be back in its original position — ready to use again.
Why don’t Butterball turkeys have a pop up thermometer?
FAQ
Do Butterball turkeys have a popper?
Even Butterball, the brand probably most familiar to home cooks, doesn’t endorse the pop-up timer. The company’s birds have “never, never, never” had timers in them, says Carol Miller, supervisor for the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. “And they’ve been around for 60 years.”
Do turkeys come with a pop-up timer?
Trusting the pop-up timer is a big mistake
Many turkeys come with a plastic insert that “pops” out of the breast when the meat is cooked.
What if my turkey doesn’t have a pop up timer?
If your turkey didn’t include a pop-up timer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness. Simply insert the thermometer into the innermost part of the turkey’s thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast, being sure not to hit bone.
Does Butterball Turkey have a pop-up timer?
While the pop-up timer is a helpful indicator, it is always recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked thoroughly. The pop-up timer should be used as a guide, but it’s essential to check the internal temperature in a few different places. 4. Are all Butterball turkeys equipped with a pop-up timer?
Does Butterball have a pop-up timer?
To get straight to the point and satisfy your turkey questions. No. Butterball LLC has never developed a product with a pop-up timer. And for good reason! What Is a Pop-up Timer? So what is a pop-up timer? Let’s explore how they work before getting into why Butterball turkeys don’t have them.
What temperature does a Butterball turkey pop up?
The pop-up timer in Butterball turkeys is designed to pop up when the internal temperature of the turkey reaches about 180°F (82°C). 3. Can I rely solely on the pop-up timer for cooking the turkey? While the pop-up timer is a helpful indicator, it is always recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked thoroughly.
Do you need a pop-up timer for a Turkey?
For these reasons, most culinary professionals recommend using an instant read thermometer instead of depending solely on a pop-up timer. Butterball is the top selling turkey brand in America. Their fresh and frozen whole turkeys comprise about 50-60% of US turkey sales. For many years, Butterball turkeys did include pop-up timers.
Do Butterball turkeys pop up after cooking?
If the pop-up timer does not pop up after the recommended cooking time, it’s essential to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure the turkey is fully cooked. 7. Are Butterball turkeys reliable and delicious? Yes, Butterball turkeys are known for their reliability and delicious taste.
What is a pop-up timer on a turkey breast?
A pop-up timer is a small device inserted into the turkey breast that pops up when the internal temperature of the bird reaches about 165 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating that it’s properly cooked. 2. Are pop-up timers accurate? Pop-up timers are generally accurate but can sometimes give false readings.