Food Safety Disclaimer

The short version

Our calculators produce estimates. Meat is done when a calibrated food thermometer says it's done — never when a clock does. You are responsible for the food you cook and serve.

Estimates, not guarantees

Cook times on this site are planning estimates built from historical cook data and published sources. Real cooks vary — pit behavior, fuel, weather, altitude, meat thickness and composition, and how often you open the lid all change the outcome. Use our schedules to plan your day; use a thermometer to make the call.

Official guidance

The USDA publishes minimum safe internal temperatures, including (as of this writing): poultry 165°F; ground meats 160°F; whole-muscle beef, pork, lamb, and veal 145°F with a 3-minute rest; fish 145°F. Where any figure on this site differs from current official guidance, follow the official guidance. Learn more on our pathogen and bacteria guide and at foodsafety.gov.

Informed-choice settings

Some settings on this site (for example, doneness levels below USDA minimums for certain cuts, extended counter rests, or blade tenderizing combined with lower pull temperatures) exist because experienced cooks use them. Where you select such a setting, the calculator shows a warning. Selecting them is your informed choice and your responsibility. They are not recommendations. If you cook for children, pregnant people, the elderly, or anyone immunocompromised, follow USDA minimums without exception.

Community recipes

Recipes marked as community content are created by users, not by us. We do not test or endorse them. Automated screening checks basic parameters but is not a safety guarantee.

AI-assisted content

Some content and features are generated or reviewed with artificial intelligence. AI can be wrong. All AI output is subject to this disclaimer.

No liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any illness, injury, loss, or damage arising from food prepared using information from this site. See our Terms of Service for the complete provisions.