We may realize revenue from the products available on this Sir Frederick Handley Page and enter in affiliate computer program . Learn More ›
An infrared thermometer is a handy tool to have in an indoor or outside kitchen for measuring the temperature of cooking surfaces before you throw on the steak or burgers , and ThermoWorks has a reputation for making some of the top IR guns in the business . I put one of its most popular models to the mental test to see just how well theThermoWorks Industrial IR Gunperforms in the kitchen .
My testing ask measuring temperature on a variety of different live surfaces , ranging from cast - Fe skillet to nonstick frying genus Pan to porcelain grill grates . I also evaluated its ability to measure accurate cold temperature by try out it on a electric refrigerator and freezer . I plant that it lives up to its reputation thanks to its durable construction , nonrational design , many utilitarian lineament , and exact readings .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
ThermoWorks Industrial Gun Infrared Thermometer: At a Glance
Rating:9/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the ThermoWorks infrared thermometer at ThermoWorks for $ 77 .
What is the ThermoWorks infrared thermometer?
Likeall infrared thermometer torpedo , the ThermoWorks infrared thermometer work on by shooting an infrared beam at an target to make up one’s mind its surface temperature . With its 12:1 optical proportion , it can measure out a 1 - in arena from 1 metrical unit away or a 2 - inch area from 2 feet aside within a few degrees of accuracy .
This mannikin is designed for both industrial or home base economic consumption . When used for the latter , the ThermoWorks IR gun can observe hot position in machinery or determine if an HVAC organisation is cool properly , allowing a automobile mechanic or technician to schedule mend before there ’s a breakdown .
While the ThermoWorks IR artillery may be design for professional use , it also has flock of practical uses in the home , the biggest of which is in the kitchen . Chefs can utilise it to gauge the Earth’s surface temperature of a pan or a grille to define if it ’s the right temperature for sear a steak or beefburger . It ’s also a handy tool for other family need , such as check the temperature of pool water or regulate whether a plastic coast on a backyard playset is coolheaded enough for good function .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Easy to Use With Tons of Features
Most IR guns I ’ve examine are easy to use right out of the loge , and theThermoWorks IR gunis no exception . It runs off of two AAA barrage fire , which are included . After loading the shelling , the ThermoWorks is quick to go . Simply signal it at the Earth’s surface you want to test , pull the trigger , and the surface temperature of the object appear in less than a s on the digital display .
The ThermoWorks gun comes fit with legion options that tot to its functionality and make it easier to use . Set in high spirits / low temperature alarm system that will go off when the gun register a temperature outside those parameter , a characteristic I discover to be peculiarly ready to hand when preheating a cooking pan to the optimum 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for singe steaks and hamburger .
There are also emissivity configurations that make it potential to use the IR shooter on shiny surfaces . The ThermoWorks , like most IR guns , has a default emissivity setting of 0.95 , which is ideal for dark airfoil such as a cast - iron frying pan , nonstick skillet , or grillwork grates . However , a bright stainless steel cooking pan has a lower emissivity or around 0.59 , which means exploiter need to be able to change the emissivity economic value if they want to get an accurate reading for these types of control surface .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Other feature include a backlight that constitute the exhibit easier to read , a laser arrow that serve with aiming the gun , and multiple display option that can show the maximum , lower limit , and median temperature for a serial of indication — a squeamish feature if users desire to tag changes in temperature on their grill .
Navigating through all these characteristic and options could be complicated , but ThermoWorks makes it loose thanks to a three - button design . I had no problem cycle through most of the IR gunman ’s options and making change with my thumb . However , I did n’t wish the fact that turn the backlight or laser cursor on and off involves carry the initiation while pressing another button , which I encounter to be a little uneasy .
Durability and Power Are a Plus
The ThermoWorks IR gun is design for the industrial jobsite and thus comes with a higher price tag than IR gas design exclusively for domicile utilisation , so I expect it to be durably built and well plan . And , for the most part , it is .
It feature a hard regulate credit card trapping that can withstand drops on a hard surface . That said , it ’s not the most long-lasting IR thermometer I ’ve test . TheFluke 62 MAX infrared thermometer , for exercise , has a beefier rubberized living accommodations and is rated to survive drops of nigh 10 foundation , though I should take down that it ’s also pricy . That said , the ThermoWorks is certainly more than indestructible enough to manage home use .
The ThermoWorks artillery is equipped with a digital display with a backlight that I chance to be easy to read when using it in unadulterated darkness or in bright sunshine . Its laser arrow is also one of the most powerful I ’ve tested . I had no problem finding a mark on a smooth open , even in direct sunlight .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Great Accuracy for Hot and Cold Surfaces
ThermoWorks IR thermometer are well regarded for their truth , and this model is no exception . During examination , I used the ThermoWorks Industrial IR gun in a variety of circumstance . In the kitchen , I tested it on a hot cast - iron frypan and a nonstick frying pan and had no problem getting an exact indication that was within a few degrees Fahrenheit of the literal Earth’s surface temperature . I also tested it on a unsullied blade frying pan , adjusting the emissivity to account for the airfoil , and the ThermoWorks returned one of the most accurate readings for shiny surfaces of any IR thermometer I ’ve examine .
Along with testing the ThermoWorks on hot surfaces , I also tested it on nerveless surfaces , include a freezer and refrigerator . Typically , IR thermometer indication for insensate surface have a bigger discrepancy between the indication of the factual temperature . While that was also the case with the ThermoWorks , I establish it to have a smaller margin of error of other IR thermometers I tested .
Is the ThermoWorks IR gun worth the money?
With a cost tag of around $ 77 , theThermoWorks IR gunis among the pricier infrared thermometers out there . But , given its feature and build quality , the ThermoWorks IR gun is deserving the money . It has emissivity controls that make it able of take precise temperature readings on a much wider variety of surface type than chintzy IR guns that miss this capableness . It also has other feature that add to its value , admit the ability to set gamy and low-spirited alarms , a backlight that create reading the display easier , and one of the most powerful optical maser pointers of any IR gun we tested .
The ThermoWorks ’ build timber also adds to its value . Since it ’s contrive for industrial use , it ’s hard enough to palm falls off kitchen counters or grill side shelf . Of course , the most important characteristic of an IR shooter is accuracy , and the ThermoWorks excels in this country as it ’s one of the most accurate IR guns that ’s been test at BobVila.com . All of this add up to an infrared thermometer that ’s well worth its price tag .
Should you buy the ThermoWorks IR gun?
The ThermoWorks IR hitman is designed for industrial uses , so you ’re paying for characteristic and build tone that ’s professional grade . Thus , the ThermoWorks may be overkill if you ’re only design to use it for the occasional backyard barbecue . There are other more affordable infrared thermometers out there , including theCuisinart Infrared Surface Thermometer , which is designed only for kitchen use and is therefore half the price of the ThermoWorks .
There ’s also theThermoPro 2 - in-1 Instant Read Thermometer , which function as both an infrared thermometer and sum thermometer and also costs about half the price of the ThermoWorks IR gun . However , if you ’re a serious house chef or grill master and program on using this IR thermometer on a regular basis , or if you need one for other household uses , it may make sentiency to spring for the ThermoWorks industrial version . It will provide you with the most accurate temperature readings and can hold up for a long meter .
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a free-lance author specializing in home improvement , landscaping , technology , home security , and design . His articles have been featured on such sites as Popular Mechanics , Futurism , Field & Stream , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Pro Tool Reviews , and more . Carrick has conducted stringent production examination on everything from power tool to home security systems to backyard grills . With each review , his destination is to facilitate readers determine whether a product meets their demand and if it is or is n’t worth its price tag .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
Keeping your grass unripe and your plant flourish does n’t just take a green thumb — it start with the right tools and supplies .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
