Infrared Thermometers

Touchless Temperature Measurements With Infrared Thermometers

Infrared thermometers measure the surface temperatures of foods, liquids, and appliances without requiring physical contact. Using an infrared thermometer for cooking helps minimize the risk of cross-contamination. A probe inserted into a cut of meat can compromise food safety unless the thermometer is thoroughly disinfected after each use.

Laser thermometers offer a more sanitary, faster, and easier way to read temperatures from a distance. Rather than contacting the food or hooking the thermometer to your equipment, you can scan it with a non-contact thermometer. Memory function and backlit display are also some additional features of infrared thermometers. You should attend to the following points when choosing your touchless thermometer.

• Temperature Range: Check the minimum and maximum temperatures the thermometer can show. You may need a broader range, such as -70°F to 600°F, if you frequently measure items that range from extremely cold to extremely hot.
• Distance-to-Spot Ratio: The D:S ratio refers to the specific area an infrared thermometer measures relative to the distance. For instance, an 8:1 ratio means the device can read a 1-inch circle accurately from 8 inches or a 4-inch spot from 32 inches. A higher-ratio touchless thermometer can read the temperature of smaller areas from a farther distance.
• Probe: A common disadvantage of infrared thermometers is that they can only measure surface temperatures. When cooking a large cut of meat, you will also want to ensure the internal temperature reaches the perfect doneness. Some no-touch thermometers come with a folding probe for dual use.

You may also wish to see our extensive portfolio of restaurant and food thermometers and other smallwares that will enhance the work efficiency in your commercial kitchen.