Image provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

An Iowa turkey will receive a Thanksgiving pardon from President Barack Obama at the White House this week. Many other turkeys will be cooked at holiday feasts Thursday. Jason Taylor with Washington County Environmental Health shares turkeys should not be washed off when they’re brought home. Washing a turkey in the sink actually spreads bacteria in your kitchen. Taylor advises the best way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator. According to Iowa State University Extension a 12 to 16 pound turkey takes two to three days to thaw in the refrigerator, or six to eight hours in cold water.

Taylor adds, when you cook the turkey be sure to use a thermometer in multiple locations on the bird to make sure it is cooked all the way through. A turkey is considered done when the temperature reaches 180 to 185 degrees in the inner thigh of whole turkeys, according to Iowa State University Extension.

For more tips from Taylor listen to Monday and Tuesday’s Washington Page interviews on KCII.