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.
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Food Safety Mistakes
Glossary of Terms
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Infrared Emissivity Table
Proper Ice Bath

Featured Reads

The Angle of the Measurement
The Angle of the Measurement Simply put, always try to hold the lens or opening of your infrared thermometer directly perpendicular to the surface being measured. That way the border of the surface area being measured by your thermometer will be a tight circle. When you hold your infrared thermometer at an angle relative to the surface being measured, the area in your "snapshot" will be elliptical and harder to control. Read Now
Cleaning and Caring for Your Infrared Thermometer
Cleaning and Caring for Your Infrared Thermometer To be accurate, infrared thermometers must be kept free of dirt, dust, moisture, fog, smoke and debris. When such conditions are present, you may want to consider using another tool for measuring surface temperatures such as a surface temperature probe and meter (like a MicroTherma 2 with a Precision Surface Probe). Always take the time to clean your infrared thermometer after exposure to dirty, dusty, smokey or humid conditions. You should also plan a regular cleaning every six months or so. Particular care... Read Now
Circle Laser Targeting
Circle Laser Targeting Circle Laser Targeting provides a better approximate representation of the actual target area than single laser units. It is, however, just an approximate targeting of the actual area since the circle laser and the infrared field of view are on different optical axes. Here's how it works: • Keep the laser diameter to less than half the diameter of the target area. • When measuring close distances (less than 79 inches), point the circle laser pattern slightly below the center of the target area. Read Now
Choosing the Right Infrared Thermometer for You
Choosing the Right Infrared Thermometer for You There are three basic types of infrared thermometer optics, each with its own advantages and disadvantages: fresnel lens thermometers, mica lens thermometers and no-lens thermometers. Infrared Lens Cost Durability Temp Range Optics Ambient Effect Fresnel Lens $$ Hotter Better Mica Lens $$$ Hottest Best No Lens $ Hot Good Fresnel Lens Thermometers Mica Lens Thermometers No-lens Thermometers IRFS IR Gun IRK IRT 2 IR Pro IR IND Close Focus CZ-IR IR MINI TW Pocket It is also important to give some thought to... Read Now
Using a Surface Probe and Meter to Pinpoint Emissivity
Using a Surface Probe and Meter to Pinpoint Emissivity If your target surface is particularly reflective, or if you need a higher level of accuracy on your readings, consider verifying the emissivity of a surface with the help of a surface probe and meter: Take a surface reading with a surface probe and meter (like a MicroTherma 2 with a Precision Surface Probe) and write down the temperature. Using a chart value as a starting point, adjust the emissivity setting on your infrared thermometer up and down until the temperature... Read Now
The Limitations of Infrared Thermometers
The Limitations of Infrared Thermometers Infrared thermometers can be very useful when used in the right way and put to task in the right applications. However, before you can develop confidence in their ability to give fast temperatures, you must understand their limitations. Infrared thermometers: Only measure surface temperatures and NOT the internal temperature of food or other materials Require adjustments depending on the surface being measured (See Adjust for Emissivity) Are not thought to be as highly accurate as surface probes measurements of the same *surface Can be temporarily... Read Now