Why Do You Need an Infrared Thermometer for Cooking

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Day by day, the cooking world is evolving to serve more delicious meals than ever. It has turned into an art and science that demands precision for the finest served meal. One of the most effective ways to maintain precision in the kitchen is using an infrared thermometer.

It allows you to continuously check the surface temperature of the edibles from a safe distance, ensuring perfect juiciness and taste without compromising your safety. Here is a guide that explores everything about infrared thermometer for cooking, how to use it, and what are its advantages when it comes to culinary tasks.

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What is an Infrared Thermometer?

Before understanding how to use an infrared thermometer (IRT) in cooking, let’s quickly understand how this device works. An infrared thermometer, often called a laser thermometer, measures the accurate temperature of an object from a distance without making physical contact with it. Because of its properties, an IR thermometer is used in clinical and industrial fields, where objects are fragile, and it’s not easy to touch them. Moreover, the IR thermometer device quickly reads the results with precision and accuracy.

Principle

Every object contains atoms that are constantly in motion, especially when subjected to temperature. These kinetic molecules of the object radiate infrared radiation. IR radiation has a longer wavelength that makes it difficult for the naked eye to see. Still, the IR can be felt as a form of heat that is sensed by infrared thermometers to estimate the precise temperature of the object.

Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Infrared Thermometer for Cooking

When the meat or any other edible is placed in the oven and grills, it radiates a certain amount of infrared radiation. A infrared thermometer for cooking can be used with edibles to measure and display the surface temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius.

What are the Applications of IR Thermometer or Cooking

If you are thinking that the use of IR thermometers is limited to meat meals, you might be wrong. Here are the applications of IR thermometers in cooking.

To Check the Oil Temperature

How many times have you felt confused about whether the oil in the pan is ready for cooking? Maybe more than 1000 times. The saddest part is that you can’t even touch it; otherwise, it can be fatal. However, you can always use an infrared thermometer to ensure the surface temperature of oils for frying or cooking.

hot oil

To Measure Surface Temperature

An infrared thermometer can accurately assess the temperature of a cooking surface, such as skillets, pans, and grills. It helps the cook analyze whether the surface is adequately heated and ready for the next step.

Baking Cakes or Preparing Sugar Syrups

If you are a baking lover, the infrared temperature can be really useful. You can determine the temperature of sugar syrups, melted chocolate, or cake without touching it.

For Checking the Refrigerator Temperature

You can also use IRT to measure the temperature of the fridge and adjust it according to your needs.

Grill and Oven Monitoring

The last and most important application of the IR thermometer for kitchen is that it helps in measuring the heat distribution on the grills or inside ovens, allowing you to estimate the precise cooking environment.

preheat grill

Major Advantages of Infrared Thermometer in the Kitchen

Infrared thermometers have been used in commercial or personal kitchens for decades. Here are the applications of infrared thermometers in the kitchen.

Quick and Easy Use

One of the major benefits of IR thermometers in the kitchen is their easy operation. Other thermometers require direct contact with the food, and thus, you’ll need to clean them after every use. However, that’s not the thing with an IR thermometer. All you need to do is point the object to the device, and it will automatically display its accurate temperature.

Protects the Appeal of the Food

If you use regular thermometers, you need to pierce them inside the food. For example, if you want to check the temperature of a piece of meat, you need to insert the temperature probe inside it; it will leave a permanent hole in the meat, ruining its external appeal. But since an IR thermometer doesn’t demand direct contact, you need not worry about it.

More Hygiene

By eliminating the direct contact, the infrared thermometer eliminates the potential for cross-contamination. It also eliminates the risk of cross-contamination, which can possibly make you sick.

Limitation of IR Thermometers in Cooking

Although infrared thermometers can measure temperature without contact and are very practical, they also have some limitations. Understanding these limitations can help you make informed decisions when choosing a thermometer to ensure accurate and reliable temperature readings.

Surface Temperature Only

IR thermometers primarily measure the surface temperature of objects and cannot provide internal temperature data. This means they are unsuitable for situations that require internal temperature measurements, such as cooking meat. In this case, you can use a wireless meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature of food.

Reflective Materials Affect Accuracy

The reflectivity of different materials can vary, impacting the accuracy of readings from IR thermometers. For instance, smooth or polished metal surfaces may reflect infrared radiation, leading to inaccurate measurements.

Environmental Interference

Environmental factors such as smoke, steam, or dust can interfere with the infrared signal, affecting measurement results. This means that using IR thermometers in less-than-ideal conditions may yield inaccurate readings.

Distance and Field of View Limitations

IR thermometers have limited measurement distances, and measuring from too far away can result in inaccurate readings. Additionally, the field of view ratio (the ratio of the measurement area to the distance) can also affect measurement precision.

Ineffectiveness on Transparent Objects

IR thermometers cannot accurately measure the temperature of transparent objects, as they are unable to effectively capture infrared radiation. This limits their use in certain applications.

Best Infrared Thermometer for Cooking

ThermoPro TP450 dual laser infrared thermometer is one of the best IRTs for residential and commercial kitchens for various culinary purposes. From ease of use to dual laser technology, here are the features that make ThermoPro TP450 a standout device.

Dual Laser Technology

The dual laser technology provides high accuracy. It improves the overall precision of the reading even from a distance. Plus, there is a feature of adjustable emissivity that enhances the accuracy while measuring surfaces with varying reflective indexes and textures.

Wide Temperature Range

It offers a wide temperature range from -58°F to 1022°F (-50°C to 550°C). Thus, it is suitable for various tasks, from monitoring the heat of a cold refrigerator to a heated grill or oven.

Versatile Design

Even beyond kitchen use, the thermometer can be used to measure surface temperature of other objects, like pizza oven or griddle, home HVAC operations, perfect for home and industrial use; Moreover, the device features an easy-to-read display that ensures clear visibility even in low-light conditions.

tp450 dual laser infrared thermometer

How to Use the ThermoPro TP450 for Cooking

As mentioned above, using a ThermoPro TP450 is quite easy. All you need to do is follow the simple step-by-step guide.

Step 1. Turn on the TP450 ICt by pressing the trigger.

Step 2. Point the laser at the targeted object whose temperature needs to be measured. If required, adjust the emissivity to match the surface material.

Step 3. Once you have aimed the object correctly, pull the trigger, and you will shortly receive an accurate temperature reading.

use tp450 infrared thermometer for cooking

Best Practices for Using Infrared Thermometer or Cooking

While using infrared thermometers in the kitchen, here are a few tips that can maximize your experience:

  • Always aim the IRT gun correctly to find accurate results.
  • Consider the emissivity of the surface. For most kitchen applications, an emissivity of 0.95 is suitable.
  • Keep the device in a cold and dark place, avoiding direct contact with humidity and sunlight.
  • For consistency, take at least three readings of the object and then decide.

Final Words

Whether you are a professional cook or baker or cook as a pastime, using infrared thermometers can enhance your skill set and overall experience. Moreover, with its adaptability and versatility, the ThermoPro TP450 Dual Laser Infrared Thermometer stands out as an excellent choice. Not only that, the applications of IRT extend beyond the kitchen; thus, it’s a profitable investment for a lifetime.

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