The invention provides improved methods using trehalose for preparing and cooking meat. A medium tilting device supports the base and is selectively positionable to tilt the medium with respect to the data transfer member to simulate presenting the head to the medium at a desired angular orientation. The system also comprises a processor that assigns a log number to a temperature measurement taken of a food item or the food storage equipment, and the memory element stores the log number with the date, time and measured temperature associated with the food item or food storage equipment.