"Do you rely on those plastic pop-up thermometers in your chicken?" I was asked this question the other day by an acquaintance who found out I cook professionally. My answer was no. I rely on my instant-read thermometer because in my experience the pop-up thermometer yields a dry, over cooked bird. I decided to do a little research on the pop-up thermometers we find lodged in the breasts of those grocery store roasters. (graphic on the left courtesy of How Stuff Works. )