RESPONSIBLE USE
Food safety
CookModo times are approximate. Checking the food is part of cooking and should not be replaced by the timer alone.
Check the centre
Start checking at the minimum time. Use a clean probe in the centre or thickest part, avoiding bone. The internal temperature differs from the oven setting. Follow the thermometer instructions and compare the reading with public-health guidance and the product instructions.
Different preparations need different checks
Check the centre of poultry, minced meat and fillings; do not treat a burger as a whole cut. Surface browning is not enough. For a whole chicken, check the thick area between the thigh and breast.
Packaged food
Follow the manufacturer's storage, defrosting and cooking instructions. Do not assume that breaded or frozen prepared food is ready to eat. Cook from frozen only when the pack says to; defrost first if instructed. Remove anything that is not oven-safe.
Defrosting
An unheated fan does not keep food refrigerated. Defrost in the fridge; if you use a microwave defrost setting, cook immediately afterwards. Follow the pack and check that the centre is thawed before using a method that requires prior defrosting.
Why the time may vary
Weight, thickness, quantity, cookware, tray distribution and starting temperature affect the result. This is why each page shows a range rather than an exact finishing second.
CookModo's scope
CookModo does not diagnose allergies, calculate dietary needs or replace guidance from public-health authorities, qualified professionals or the food manufacturer.
Public-health references
These official guides explain cooking checks and how to follow product instructions. They do not independently validate CookModo's time ranges or replace professional advice for an individual situation.
- Cooking your food — Food Standards Agency (Sections 2, 4.1, 4.2, 5 and 7.2: checking the centre, poultry/pork, fish/seafood and reheating)
- How to chill, freeze and defrost food safely — Food Standards Agency (Section 3: defrosting food at home)
- Cocinad los alimentos correctamente — Agència Catalana de Seguretat Alimentària (Advice on cooking and heating the food centre)
If you feel unwell
For a serious emergency, such as difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness or a severe reaction, call the emergency number where you are: 112 in the European Union; 999 in the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, use the local number. CookModo's language does not determine your location. Do not wait for an app to assess the situation.