The Learning Center

For professionals and other serious users of ThermoWorks products, here you'll find a growing collection of technical articles, tips, videos and other resources to help you do your job. Find info on instrumentation, sensors, measurement and control, calibration and a variety of commercial applications.

Featured Reads

Basic Thermometry Concepts: Thermometer Technologies As we have discussed previously, there are thermometers that measure many different types of physical characteristics, but the five most common include: liquid expansion devices, bi-metallic devices, resistance temperature devices (RTD's and thermistors), thermocouples and infrared radiation devices. Bi-metals have dial displays. The dial is connected to a spring coil at the center of the probe. The spring coil is made of two different types of metal that expand in different (yet predictable) ways when exposed to heat. The expansion of the coil with heat... Read Now
Simplify HACCP Compliance with Thermapen® ONE Blue The dinner rush roars on. Servers weave between tables, balancing plates and dodging obstacles. Back-of-house, cooks juggle orders, their movements precise and practiced. But amidst the controlled chaos lurks a silent enemy: food safety. HACCP plans require identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs) in the food handling process where temperature control is essential to prevent foodborne illness. CCPs, including the specific food item, the measured temperature, the date and time of the measurement, and the initials of the staff member taking the measurement, all... Read Now
Using Laser Guides to Help Gauge Your Measurement Some infrared thermometers come with lasers to help gauge the size, or location, of the area being measured. And because the location of the lasers, relative to the area being measured, can vary by unit, it might take a little extra training before they can be used effectively. For the most part, infrared thermometers (with laser guides) can be divided into two groups: those with single lasers and those with multiple (two or more) lasers. Single laser units can be particularly helpful... Read Now
Basic Thermometry Concepts: Accuracy One of the most basic attributes of any thermometer is its accuracy, and because a thermometer is only as good as the temperatures it takes, accuracy is of the utmost importance. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a way for calibrated thermometers and their temperatures to be traceable to a national standard, thereby giving the user a guarantee of accuracy. "Traceability" is characterized by several essential elements, including: An unbroken chain of comparisons going back to stated references acceptable to the parties, usually... Read Now
Customizing your Thermapen® You can personalize your Splash-Proof Thermapen™ by changing the factory default settings, including: Changing the display units from °F to °C Changing the display resolution from 0.1° to 1° Disabling the auto-off feature To make any of these changes, open the battery compartment (see How to Change the Batteries) and, using the tip of a bent paper clip, flip the appropriate switch: Switch 1: Display Units The factory setting for your Thermapen display is for °F. To display °C, move the switch numbered "1" to the "off"... Read Now
What is a thermocouple sensor? In the world of commercial food service, precision and reliability in measuring the temperature of dishes and ingredients is crucial to quality and safety. Whether you’re running a restaurant, managing a food processing plant, tracking temperatures in a laboratory, or ensuring food safety standards in a catering business, choosing the right temperature sensor can be a daunting task. Among the options available, thermocouple probes stand out for their versatility, accuracy, and performance. But what exactly are thermocouples, and why might they be the ideal choice... Read Now