The 8 Best Infrared Thermometer For Cooking And Grilling – Reviews 2019

Infrared thermometers allow you to measure surface temperature from a distance i.e. without touching the item which temperature you want to measure. It will only measure surface temperature so it’s no good for measuring how well you have cooked a turkey for example. All matter emits infrared energy and an infrared thermometer has a lens that focuses on this energy and measures it by converting it into an electrical signal.

It makes allowances for room temperatures that could affect the reading. They have all sorts of industrial applications, but here we will consider what might be the best infrared thermometer for cooking. Let’s look at some examples on the market.

Many people are still more comfortable with the Fahrenheit scale and the unit lets you toggle between Fahrenheit and Centigrade. It measures surface temperatures of -50C (-58F) to + 650C (+1202 F). Distance to spot ratio is 10:1. Battery is a 9V Battery that is included with the purchase.

It is only marginally more expensive than the 1080, so it might be worth having the slightly higher spec. A 9V DC battery is included. The warranty included with this product is for two-years.

This model also uses a 9V DC battery which is included. There is a two-year warranty on the product as there is with the other two Etekcity thermometers.

Emissivity is adjustable (0.1-1.0). There is quite a high temperature range of -50C (-58F) to + 550C (1022F). The distance to spot ratio is reasonable at 12:1. The built in larger homes in on a target area, but with a little squeeze of a button you can switch to Max, min or average readings with an alarm to tell you when a preselected temperature has been reached.

The unit shuts down automatically after 15 seconds to preserve the life of the battery. A 9V Lithium Ion battery is included with the purchase and the warranty is a respectable 2-year one.

The ES6530B runs on a ^F22 9V battery which is included with the purchase.There is a one-year warranty, but also a no-quibble 60-day money-back guarantee if not delighted with the product.

A 9v DC battery is included. Battery life is preserved with an automatic off function when idle. There is also a low battery indicator. The Lasergrip 630 comes with a two-year warranty.

Now we have seen some of the Thermometers that are available on the market, as they are still new to many people, let us look at some typical questions that people ask about them:

Question: What is an infrared thermometer used for cooking?

Answer: An infrared thermometer measures SURFACE temperature my measuring from a distance (i.e. without touching the surface) with a hand held device, the infra-red emissions that emanate from that surface. So, they could be used for measuring the temperature of the stone of a pizza oven or for letting you know when frying oil is reaching smoking point so that you can turn down the heat or for measuring the different areas of food that has been heated in a microwave to see that the temperature (at least on the surface) is even.

Question: Can an infrared thermometer measure water temperature?

Answer: This type of thermometer is not best suited to measuring hot water. Apart from the fact that it would only measure the surface, it would measure the temperature of the steam arising.

Question: How do you choose the right infrared thermometer?

Answer: It depends on your priorities. What is important to you? 

Do you need to be able to measure really high temperatures? As an indication you would probably want to heat a pizza stone to about 485F. Well every single one of the infrared thermometers that we looked at is capable of measuring more than that. What will you want to measure of extremely high temperature that would enable you to make use of those higher performance levels in the more expensive thermometers? 

How accurate do you need your thermometer to be? If you are going to the trouble of measuring surface temperature with a contactless thermometer, you presumably want it to be as accurate as possible. High Distance spot ratios are one of the factors that bring about accuracy. Another is the laser pointers. The circular 12 pointer laser of the ES6530B seems appealing, but the two pointer lasers will probably cover most needs.

What is the warranty period? How much is the cost? Warranty is perhaps not as big an issue as it would be on a high value item. However, a certain amount of confidence will be inspired by companies that give a ten-year warranty such as for the ennoLogic eT650D. For many price will be the all important issue. In such a case, a thermometer such as the Tacklife IT-T04 might appeal. For others, level of accuracy and ability to adjust will be more important considerations.

Question: Are these accurate? 

Answer: Yes, as long as you are able to adjust for background variations. A shiny aluminum pan will reflect more infrared than a black Teflon grill.

Question: How do you calibrate an infrared thermometer?

Answer: The principal guideline needs to be to take a known surface such as ice as your guide. You know that this is 32F or 0C and calibrate to this.

Many home cooks find this is an exciting new gadget that helps them achieve that extra fine touch to their cooking. With increasing concern about frying oil turning to cancer. When the temperature reaches smoking point.

It is useful to have a warning that this temperature is approaching – something an infrared thermometer can do. If you are contemplating buying one, you will hopefully have found this article useful in deciding on the best infrared thermometer for cooking.

However, it only measure surface temperatures. To see how well meat is cooked you need a separate meat thermometer with which you can pierce right through to the centre of the meat.