Independent buying guidance · UK editionHow we work
Gearjury
Categories
All categoriesMeat thermometersAir purifiers
Best picksBest Meat Thermometers for 2026Best Meat Thermometers with BluetoothThe Best Budget Meat Thermometers for Everyday…The Best Digital Meat ThermometersDigital Meat Thermometer ReviewsBest Infrared Meat Thermometers for Cooking
Buying guideCan a Meat Thermometer Be Used for Water?Food Thermometer Chart for Safe CookingCan a Meat Thermometer Go in the Oven?How to Calibrate a Meat Thermometer with Ice WaterHow to Calibrate a Digital Meat Thermometer SafelyHow to Check the Temperature of Food Without a…
Head to headCHEF iQ Sense Meat Thermometers ComparedHeston Blumenthal Meat Thermometers by SalterInkbird Meat ThermometersJoie Meat ThermometersMasterClass Meat Thermometers and Cooking…MEATER Meat Thermometers
TrendingBest Meat Thermometers for 2026How to Use a Meat Thermometer ProperlyBest Meat Thermometers for the Oven in 2026Best Wireless Meat Thermometers for 2026

Category hub

Infrared Cooking Thermometers for Food and Kitchen Use

An infrared cooking thermometer measures surface temperature without contact. It is useful for pans, griddles and oil surfaces, but it cannot confirm the core temperature of meat.

An infrared cooking thermometer reads the temperature of a surface from a distance. Point it at a griddle, pizza stone or pan to assess heat distribution without making contact; the laser on some units is only an aiming aid.

Infrared Cooking Thermometers for Food and Kitchen Use

Our picks

Top picks

Compare them side by side →

Meat thermometers

More specific

Meat thermometers

Best picks

View all →

Common questions

Questions before you buy

What is an infrared thermometer used for in cooking?

It checks surface temperatures on cookware, griddles, pizza stones, oil and chilled or hot food surfaces. It is fast and contact-free, but it does not measure a food's core.

Can an infrared thermometer tell if meat is cooked?

Not by itself. It measures the outside surface, so use a penetration probe in the thickest part to verify the internal temperature.

Does the laser measure the temperature?

No. The laser indicates where the instrument is aimed; the infrared sensor measures thermal radiation from the target area.

Why do shiny pans give odd infrared readings?

Reflective metal has low and variable emissivity, which can make readings unreliable. Follow the instrument guidance and measure a suitable non-reflective surface where possible.