We ran side-by-side cooks—fridge-cold versus counter-rested—on steaks, pork, and chicken to see if a “room temp” sit changes browning, timing, or juiciness.

We’ve ranted and raved for years about the benefits of an instant-read thermometer and how using one can help you be a more confident home cook. It’s useful for baked goods, deep frying, custards, ...