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What’s more important than even seasoning when it comes to cooking the perfect dish? Temperature! Of course, there is nothing that would make your meat juicy and delicious but the right temperature.
Infrared thermometers aid you in measuring the temperature of your food, helping you in adjusting to the right degree. If you aren’t sure how Infrared thermometers work, here’s a complete guide with the best Infrared thermometers available in the market.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Infrared Thermometer For Cooking
- OUR TOP PICK: Etekcity Lasergrip 774
- RUNNER-UP: SURPEER IR5D Laser Thermometer Gun
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: HOLDPEAK 981C
Comparison Chart of the Best Infrared Thermometer For Cooking
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What Makes an Infrared Thermometer Great For Cooking?
To succeed in the kitchen and become the best chef ever, you need an infrared thermometer at hand all the time. You need one that is not only accurate but also instant with the readings. Almost all commercial kitchens have a digital thermometer.
There are many features that an infrared thermometer has that you can use in your kitchen regularly. With an infrared thermometer, you can check whether the beverage and food that you are serving your family or guests are cold or hot enough.
Not only that but with the help of an infrared thermometer, you can also check the exact temperature of your freezer or oven. You can also check the following to make your cooking perfect:
- Measuring the temperature of hot oil for perfect and crisp snack frying
- Measuring yeast’s temperature for fluffy homemade bread
- Measuring homemade beer’s temperature
- Measure the temperature of various spices to add just the right amount of seasoning to your food
These just a few ways you can use your infrared thermometer for cooking. Infrared technology lets you take the temperature without even getting close to hot stuff. It’s pretty convenient because you can get the most accurate readings from a safe distance.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Infrared Thermometers for Cooking
Here are the best infrared thermometers for cooking:
Review of the Best Infrared Thermometers For Cooking
The market is saturated with many thermometers, from pocket to digital; there is so much variety as well as so many brands that one gets overwhelmed. Here’s the guide to help you find the best-infrared thermometer by the best and most reliable company. So, you can buy with peace of mind.
Best Overall:
Etekcity Lasergrip 774
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the buyers are pretty happy with the thermometer; many have claimed that it helps them cook the perfect turkey for thanksgiving. Apart from some people having reservations about the plastic body, almost all recent customers are satisfied with the accuracy of the thermometer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
First of all, the laser technology of this infrared thermometer is just great; it helps you get the right temperature of the food without making any mistakes. Secondly, the LED light is a big plus; you can check the temperature accurately, even in the dark. The design is pretty sleek too, shaped like a gun, it’s easy to hold and use.
Who Will Use This Most
Whether you are a baker, or you need to buy a gift for an avid cook, this is the perfect tool for you. You never have to guess the temperature anymore. If you have an old gas oven with a faulty display, this is the ideal tool that will help you check the temperature without even getting close to the heat.
Bottom Line
Thermometers are made to make our cooking even perfect than it is. However, with infrared thermometers, you can have the time of your life while cooking. Stay away from the heat and still check the temperature. They are very accurate and also very convenient to use. No more overcooked and dried food with this smart tool.
Runner-up:
SURPEER IR5D Laser Thermometer Gun
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of the buyers have praised the upgraded design of this infrared thermometer. It's slightly bigger than the average product available in the market, and it's very comfortable to hold as well. For most buyers, the laser is a huge plus point. On the other hand, most of them did complain about the beeping sound it gives every time it locks in a new temperature.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are many features that stand out with this particular model, the color as well as the design is pretty cool. The gun handle is very comfortable to hold, and it gives you accurate temperature even from across the room, which is pretty cool. So, you can be away from your food, but still, gauge its temperature accurately.
Who Will Use This Most
Housewife, bakers, commercial kitchens, you name it, and they can probably have a blast with it. It's the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas gift for your mother or wife who loves to cook new dishes. For people who love to bake, this is the best thing. Your cakes will never go hard with this beauty.
Bottom Line
Set the right temperature, cook the perfect cook; this is how an infrared temperature works. Is your oven malfunctioning? Just check the temperature with this infrared thermometer and claim warranty. The laser beam gives you precision as well as accuracy, and the beep alert locks the temperature every time you point at something different.
Best for the Money:
HOLD PEAK 981C
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers have commented on the economical price of the gadget. They find superior technology very pleasing. The only drawback is the high beeping sound when the infrared thermometer locks in on the temperature. The most satisfying feature is the instant reading no matter which objects you point to.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Multiple features of this unit stand out to use. The topmost is the alert sound; it tells you when you have reached the highest and lowest temperatures. This is best while cooking a delicate dish. The versatility of the design, as well as the grooves on the handle, makes it very convenient to hold.
Who Will Use This Most
From home cooks to commercial kitchens, all cooks will have a ball with this infrared thermometer. You can get instant and accurate readings with this, even at a long distance. The device is easy to sue with two options for degrees. Apart from that, the beeping light, LCD display as well as the laser helps you get the perfect reading.
Bottom Line
All in all, the gadget is a great one to add to your kitchen. From a simple household to an extensive commercial kitchen, this infrared thermometer can come in handy. The accuracy on this thing is unbeatable. As far as the design goes, it's light as well as easy to operate.
Best Fluke Infrared Thermometer:
Fluke 62 Max Thermometer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost all of the recent buyers have commented that this gadget is not only durable as well as accurate. The distance and accuracy are two things that sit well with the clients. Apart from the plastic body and the battery life, there isn’t much to complain about this most sophisticated infrared thermometer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are several features that are gold on this IR thermometer. For one thing, the laser beam will give you accuracy even if you are 12 meters away from your target. The design is so sturdy that it will survive a three-meter drop, so it’s the perfect thing for commercial and busy kitchens.
Who Will Use This Most
The reliability and sturdiness of the design make it the most durable gadget for commercial as well as high-end kitchens. It's also the perfect tool if you like hosting big dinners for family and friends to impress them with your beautiful cooking.
Bottom Line
With one simple gadget, you get everything, from a laser beam for accuracy to a sturdy long-distance thermometer that never fails. So, whether you are having a big party or trying to impress some clients to crack a deal, this thermometer will help you get the juiciest recipes ever.
Best Cen-Tech Infrared Thermometer:
Cen-Tech Infrared Thermometer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Easy to use as well as portable, most recent buyers have loved the product for its simple and low profile design. A few have complained about it not being accurate at low temperatures, but many have commended the accuracy with high praises. This is the perfect gadget for checking oven temperature from a distance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The best thing about this infrared thermometer is that you don't have to get up every few minutes to check the temperature of your oven or food. You can just point and get an accurate reading from a distance. With 40 hours of extended battery life as well as a portable design, this is a very handy device.
Who Will Use This Most
We think that this is perfect for home cooks who like to serve their guests and families with perfect temperature food. It’s also for people who are on a special diet and take very good care of their health. It’s also great if you want to serve your pet the perfect temperature food.
Bottom Line
To cap it all, compared to all other devices in the market, this is the most simple and low profile one you can get, it does the same amount of work and is also portable. You can point and get the accurate temperature from a distance. For 40 hours straight, this thermometer will give your accurate readings.
Pros and Cons of Cooking With an Infrared Thermometer
Infrared thermometers are most commonly known as the non-contact thermometers. With the help of this gadget, you can get the perfect reading of your oven, grill, food, or beverages from a safe distance. You don’t even need to go near the heat or touch the surface. Here are some pros and cons that will help you decide better.
Pros
Below are the main pros:
All-Rounders
Infrared thermometers are great with everything, from cooking to checking temperatures to machinery as well as chemicals. They are especially preferred in the kitchens with big ovens or fire pits. To get the perfect temperature from a safe distance, this device is a must.
Changeable Units
They are great to use as they come with a lot of great features. One of the most important features is the switch between degrees. On an infrared device, you can easily choose Fahrenheit or Celsius with just one quick press of a button.
Laser Beam
To make the accuracy even more reliable, most of these infrared thermometers come with a laser beam.
Cons
Below are the main cons:
Expensive
With all the features stored in one portable and reliable device, it’s bound to be a bit expensive. However, several products on our guide are very economical as well as reliable with all the features of a high-end device.
Conclusion
All in all, an infrared thermometer is one technology that can help you keep your meat juicier by cooking it at the right temperature. With the help of infrared technology, you don't have to dive in the oven to check the degrees, only point at it from a safe distance, and get your accurate measures.
People Also Ask
Many a time, when the market is full of different brands producing the same product, it gets hard to know which one is the best. The ultimate guide will help you decide which infrared thermometer is best according to your requirements, but if you still have any confusion, you must check out the frequently asked questions below.
What is an Infrared Thermometer Used For Cooking?
An infrared thermometer is just like any other cooking thermometer that tells you the temperature of your food or beverage.
However, it comes with the bonus feature of infrared technology that enables you to check the temperature from even from a distance. The thermometer is designed with a laser beam that helps in accelerating the accuracy of the gadget.
Are Infrared Thermometers Accurate?
Yes, the best one coming from reliable brands like the ones we have reviewed above are accurate. There is a degree of error that is mentioned, but that is pretty minor. You can rely on these for your baking, grilling as well as your Thanksgiving turkey. Most commercial kitchens use infrared thermometers for cooking delicate dishes.
SURPEER IR5D Laser Thermometer Gun
Can You Calibrate an Infrared Thermometer?
Yes, using the crushed ice solution method, one can calibrate an infrared thermometer. All you have to do is make a crushed ice solution of water and ice resembling slush like consistency and point your infrared thermometer to it. You can calibrate the infrared thermometer by checking the true reading of 0°C.
