We had recently purchased a turkey breast. Included was a pop-up thermometer.  I don't use them as I have several reliable & accurate Thermoworks thermometers I use.

 I decided to check the pop-ups accuracy using a saucepan filled with water over a small keep warm burner on our gas range. The pop-up was held @ its base with a pair of long small point tongs. The

 temperature monitored with my Thermopen's tip next to the base of the pop-up. The small burner allowed me to control the rise of the water temperature..  The pop-up popped @ 182º, 17º over the

 165º done temperature.

 It's hard to fathom someone relying on a pop-up to perform a proper cook. If not constantly monitored, the final temperature could be high.  Then there is carry over to consider.

 I realize this test was a sample of one resulting in more of an interesting result rather than several tests that would show either there was consistency or not & just how accurate these pop-ups are.

 

 

Nice experiment.
They are designed that way on purpose as a CYA.
Overcook the bird to make sure nobody gets sick and sues.

Yes checked one years ago the same way, and it went at 187°. I always say when the timer pops up it is time to call the pizza place because the bird is usually xxxx at that point.

I am also not a believer in them.  I have found that my thermopens are significantly more accurate

I was always led to believe they were to come out at 180°.  The Western Pacific is vast!  And I would not want to fall over at night!

Alton Brown always says to pull them out and throw them away. I’m not really sure why they even include them anymore.

Alton Brown always says to pull them out and throw them away. I’m not really sure why they even include them anymore.

Because there are more than just my buddy out there that believes in them.  I even bought him a thermoworks thermometer to use but he still won't take it out of the oven unless that bloody red dot pops up.   Really dry turkey every time.

Alton Brown always says to pull them out and throw them away. I’m not really sure why they even include them anymore.

I don't use them, but I don't take them out.
My thought is taking them out will let juices out and provide a place for the heat to dry out the meat.

Useless, in my humble opinion if you rely on them you might as well cook your food in the microwave.

 I had a good laugh.  I was grocery shopping when I spotted a pack of 2 of these thermometers. I just had to have a look.  The instructions stated that the bird would be done when the pop-up emerged....

 No wonder some newcomers to cooking could be turned off attempting to cook their first turkey if they were using this as a guide.