What is an infrared thermometer used for in cooking?
An infrared unit scans the outer surface of a griddle, pan, pizza stone, oil, refrigerator item, or food. It is useful for quick comparisons and for locations where contact would be awkward.
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Guide
What Is an Infrared Thermometer Used for in Cooking?
It checks surface temperatures without touching food or cookware. It cannot tell you the center temperature of meat, poultry, or other thick food.
How an infrared thermometer is used for food
Aim at a clean, visible surface from within the maker's specified distance. The distance-to-spot ratio determines how large an area contributes to the reading.
Why it cannot check meat doneness
Infrared instruments do not penetrate food. To assess the center of a burger, roast, chicken, or turkey, insert an appropriate food thermometer in the thickest relevant part.
What type of thermometer is most widely used for food?
For internal temperatures, digital instant-read and leave-in probe thermometers are common choices. The right design depends on whether you need a quick spot check or continuous monitoring.
Choosing the best infrared thermometer for cooking
Look for a suitable stated range, published accuracy, a practical distance ratio, clear controls, and emissivity guidance. Do not treat the laser pointer as the measured area.
Common questions
Questions before you buy
What is a food thermometer used for?
It measures food temperature so you can judge doneness, safety, holding conditions, or cooling progress according to the task.
What type of thermometer is most widely used for food?
Probe thermometers are widely used for internal food temperatures; instant-read and leave-in versions serve different cooking methods.
What type of thermometer is used for food?
Common types include digital probe, oven-safe leave-in, thermocouple, thermistor, and infrared surface thermometers.
Can an infrared thermometer be used to check chicken?
It can scan the chicken's surface, but it cannot verify the internal temperature. Use a food probe in the appropriate thickest area.
Sources and how we chose
- USDA FSIS, Kitchen Thermometers · 2026-10-15
- FDA Food Code 2022 · 2026-10-15
Keep exploring
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Meat Thermometers: Types, Uses and Buying Guides
Start with a dependable instant-read thermometer; add a leave-in or wireless probe when you want continuous monitoring.
Chicken Meat Thermometers for Breasts, Thighs and Whole Birds
A fast, thin probe works well for portions; a heat-safe leave-in probe makes a whole roast easier to monitor.
Steak Meat Thermometers for Grilling and Pan Cooking
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Turkey Meat Thermometers for Safer, Better Roasts
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