MERCURY an thermometers need advice
while cooking chicken strips in 350+ degree oil in cast iron dutch oven i notice the candy thermometer that i was useing for oil temp didnt look right...i pulled it out and the bulb had broken....i assume it has mercury in it tho it the liquid is blue...i of course threw it all out an cleaned my dutch oven with dawn dish washing liquid a couple of times...i then dried it out good with a paper towel and appled new oil and finished cooking....i was then told by a friend on fb that my dutch oven may not be any good and that i probly shoud throw it away....
!. do the candy thermometers have mercury in it or is it some other liquid that is safer?
2. will i hav to throw out my cast iron dutch oven? its not the porcelin coated on the inside and out kind its the black oven sold at walmart in camping section
any help appriciated
thanks