160F

160°F, or 160 degrees Fahrenheit, is a temperature on the Fahrenheit scale equal to about 71.1°C. It is commonly used as a reference point in cooking, food safety, and certain cleaning and processing practices.

In the United States, the temperature is associated with safe cooking guidelines for ground meats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises cooking ground beef, pork, lamb, and other ground meats to an internal temperature of 160°F to destroy foodborne pathogens. Whole cuts like steaks and roasts have different targets. A food thermometer should be used to verify doneness.

High-temperature dishwashing cycles often heat wash water to at least 160°F (71°C) to sanitize dishes. Such cycles are common in commercial equipment and some residential dishwashers, sometimes paired with a final rinse at higher temperatures.

Domestic hot water systems typically aim for lower temperatures to minimize scalding, with common settings around 120°F (49°C). Some facilities, particularly in healthcare or where Legionella control is a concern, maintain hotter water (frequently around 160°F) and rely on mixing valves to deliver safe temperatures at taps. Hot water at 160°F can cause rapid burns, so appropriate safety measures are important.

In dairy and beverage processing, pasteurization temperatures can approach 160°F (71°C) for short hold times; many milk processes use about 161°F (72°C) for 15 seconds (HTST).

Conversion between Fahrenheit and Celsius: C = (F − 32) × 5/9; F = C × 9/5 + 32.