Expert: Keith Patton - 2/1/2008

Question
How can you tell when you meat is done?  I will be smoking goose breasts.

Answer
Go buy a good instant read meat thermometer. They are about $6 have a sharp metal shaft and usually a plastic sleeve so you can put it in your shirt pocket.  Take the temp of the bird in the fat part of the thigh or breast to tell if it is done.  160-165 is usually adequate to be cooked but still juicy and tender.  The USDA recommends 165F.  Commercially processed fowl have more pathogens and viruses than wild fowl killed by hunting.  Most are introduced in the processing plants.  I know, I cut chicken in high school in a plant and it was nasty.  So Based on that, use the temp you are comfortable with.  Remember if it is done in the oven it is overdone on the table.  Take the meat out before it reaches the target temp.  It will continue to cook for a while after it is taken out.  Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to reduce juice loss.

Keith