Everything You Need to Know About Infrared Thermometers

Infrared thermometers offer a unique advantage over other tools: they have the ability to measure temperatures from a distance, without the need for direct contact. This feature makes them invaluable in various industries, from food service to manufacturing. But before you invest in an infrared thermometer, it’s crucial to understand their applications, use cases, and how to select the right model for your needs.

Why Use Infrared Thermometers?

Infrared thermometers are ideal for situations where direct contact is impractical or dangerous. These genius devices provide accurate temperature readings from afar—just point and shoot!—which is especially useful for:

Fragile items: such as computer circuitry
Hazardous objects: like molten metal, gears, and fiery griddles
Hard-to-reach areas: such as air conditioning ducts or high shelves
Moving targets: like conveyor belts or living organisms
Contamination-sensitive materials: including buffet lines and prepared dishes

Quick Surface Temperature Readings

Infrared thermometers are designed to measure surface temperatures accurately and quickly. They typically provide readings in a fraction of a second, which is vital in fast-paced environments. Their speed and ease of use make them essential tools in food service, manufacturing, HVAC, and many other fields.

Choosing the Right Infrared Thermometer

Selecting the right infrared thermometer depends on your specific needs, and ThermoWorks offers a range of models suitable for different applications. Download our handy chart or read our online buying guide to find the best infrared thermometer for you—or shop one of our crowd favorites below.

Getting the most from Your Infrared Thermometer

Learn How Infrareds Work

One common misconception is that the laser pointer in an infrared thermometer measures temperature. In reality, the laser is a guide to help you aim. The thermometer measures infrared energy from the surface area around the laser point, not directly from the laser spot itself.

Know What to Measure

Another myth is that infrared thermometers can read internal temperatures. These devices are designed for surface temperature readings only. For internal temperatures, such as checking if meat is cooked properly, a traditional probe thermometer is necessary.

Infrared thermometers can measure the surface temperature of pizza stones or cookie sheets. However, they can’t measure the ambient (air) temperature inside your oven or smoker. For that, use a Pro-Series® Air Probe.

Understand Emissivity

Emissivity is the ability of a material to emit infrared energy. Different materials have different emissivity levels, affecting the accuracy of infrared thermometer readings. For instance, shiny metals have low emissivity and can reflect ambient infrared energy, leading to inaccurate readings. Whereas most organic materials have high emissivity, making them suitable for accurate infrared measurements.

Learn more about the emissivity of various materials here.

Check Grill Temperatures

Infrared thermometers can be handy for checking grill temperatures, but there’s a trick to it. When you aim an infrared thermometer at a grill grate, the reading may include the temperatures of surfaces visible through the grate’s holes. To get an accurate measurement:

Place a cast iron plate or skillet on the grill and preheat for 5-10 minutes.
Spray the surface with cooking oil to ensure proper emissivity.
Measure the surface temperature of the plate or skillet with your infrared thermometer.

Measure Liquids

To measure the temperature of liquids like soups and sauces, stir vigorously before taking a reading to ensure the surface temperature is uniform and an accurate reflection of the entire pot. Be cautious of steam, which can affect the accuracy of your measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Infrared Thermometers See Through Glass or Water?

No, infrared thermometers cannot see through glass or water. They only measure the surface temperature of these materials.

What is Spot Size and Distance to Target Ratio?

The spot size refers to the area measured by the infrared thermometer, controlled by the distance to target ratio. For example, a 12:1 ratio means the thermometer measures a 1″ diameter area from 12″ away.