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Infrared Food Safety Thermometers: What to Know

An infrared thermometer is fast for checking food surfaces, griddles and receiving temperatures. It does not measure the centre of food, so cooked meat still needs a clean contact probe.

An infrared food safety thermometer reads emitted energy from a surface, making it useful for rapid, non-contact screening. A food safety infrared thermometer can help identify hot or cold spots on holding equipment, incoming packages, griddles and liquids after stirring. It cannot see through food or confirm the internal temperature of chicken, turkey or a roast.

Infrared Food Safety Thermometers: What to Know

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Can You Use an Infrared Thermometer on Food?

Yes, an infrared thermometer can check food and cookware surfaces quickly. It cannot read through food, so use a contact probe to confirm the centre of meat, poultry and reheated dishes.

Common questions

Questions before you buy

Can an infrared thermometer check food safety?

It can screen surface temperatures, but it cannot confirm the internal temperature of food. Use a suitable sanitized probe for the centre.

Can infrared thermometers read through packaging?

No. They read the package surface rather than the food behind it.

Why do shiny pans give odd infrared readings?

Reflective, low-emissivity surfaces can produce misleading readings. Follow the instrument maker's emissivity guidance and measure the food rather than polished metal.

What does distance-to-spot ratio mean?

It describes how large an area the instrument reads at a given distance. Move close enough that the measured spot fits entirely within the target.