How can I tell if water is warm enough for yeast?

The cheapest and easiest solution is an instant read thermometer. Link below. Not only will it tell you if your water is at the correct temperature, you can use it to tell if your meats are cooked to the proper temperature. No more overcooked or undercooked things from the grill! And by cooking to the proper temperature, your meats/poultry will be better! Or you will know if that reheated casserole is hot in the center.

I'd go with a water temp of 105F; 110F is a bit warm. Yeast starts to die off around 110F and above.

Get the one below or one similar if your Bed, Bath & Beyond doesn't have it. Nearly any store that has some cooking items will have them, even the grocery. Do take the time to calibrate it before use so you know if it's reading correctly. That's easy enough, just boil some water and insert the probe into the water. The thing should read around 212F. There should be calibration instructions on the packaging; my probe has a little "wrench" that you use to turn the nut on the back to adjust the temperature if need be.

Water Temperature For Yeast

You can buy a candy thermometer, which will come in handy for other things too. They probably have them anywhere they sell cooking equipment, probably even your supermarket. Most of them go from 100F to 450F or higher. The other way to test the temperature of the liquid for this is to put a drop on the inside of your wrist. If it feels warm when it lands, it's too warm for yeast. Ideal temperature is when you don't feel any warmth or coolness from the drop of water at the instant it lands, but slightly cool is okay too. The main danger for yeast is water that's too hot, which kills the yeast. If the water is slightly cool, all that happens is that the yeast takes a little longer to do its thing.

Yes, Bed Bath and Beyond sells thermometers. If you are going to cook much, I recommend getting one. If you don't want to, the water should feel barely warm to your wrist. You actually are ok anywhere from about 90 to 115 or so. Cooler just takes a bit longer.

A thermometer is the surest way, but not totally necessary. If it feels warm to you, not hot, then it's probably OK. Dab a bit of the water into a paper towel and touch your lip with it. That's a more sensitive area than your hand or fingers.

If it feels a little warmer than body temperature, or even at body temperature, you're good to go. If it's too much warmer you'll kill the yeast. Run your faucet on warm/hot with your hand underneath to tell when it's just barely warm-feeling to you.

How I do it is test it on my wrist the same way you would a baby's bottle.When it feels warm enough to give a newborn it's good to go.

I know it may sound dorky but it works for me every time!

A thermometer is the most accurate way to tell but my grandma taught me that when you run your wrist under the water, you shouldn't feel hot OR cold. It should feel room temp. on your arm. And I haven't screwed up bread, pretzels, pizza dough, etc, since!

Get a thermometer.