The regularity and reliability of the food thermometer you use play pivotal roles in the preparation of meals that have been cooked adequately and are safe for human consumption. Infrared thermometers prove very useful to both a professional kitchen and home food preparation as they take accurate measurements of the temperature without having to come into physical contact with the cooking material. It is in your best interest that the food infrared thermometer is in good working condition every time you use it and here is how to maintain it well.
Understanding Your Thermometer
An infrared food thermometer refers to a type of thermographic thermometer that uses the infrared technique to measure surface temperature without touching the food. This makes it easy to use when measuring temperatures of hot types of equipment such as pans and grills or you can also use it to measure temperatures of cold equipment like ice cream. The device for measuring temperature is generally built on the principle of selecting an infrared radiation signal that an object emits as temperature.
Regular Calibration
Thus, it does not come as a surprise that the first step toward effective maintenance of your infrared thermometer is to calibrate it. Calibration guarantees that your thermometer gives you the right measurements. Most of the models include a calibration capability or will include the ability to be calibrated against a known reference temperature. To verify its accuracy a thermometer needs to be pointed at an object with a certain temperature for instance boiling water which has a temperature of 100°c or 212°F at sea level and check whether the displayed reading tallies with the latter. This will ensure that if there is a large disparity from the standard, a user adjusts depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations for standardization.
Clean the Lens Carefully
The lens of your infrared thermometer is part and parcel when you are thinking of getting good results. In the long run, the accumulation of dust, sweat from the skin or grease from raw food substances may interfere with the ability of the device to detect infrared radiation. To clean the lens wipe with a soft cloth and circular movement using a soft cloth together with some glass cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. It is also important not to use abrasive materials or strong chemicals as they may scar the lens. It is advised that the thermometer should always be switched off and wiped clean before it is applied next time.
Battery Maintenance
Batteries are another important part of your infrared thermometer device as we have seen from the above discussion. To get the best result out of the equipment, fresh batteries should be installed and the battery status monitored intermittently. If the thermometer is not going to be used it is advisable to take out the batteries to avoid a situation where they discharge and cause an internal short-circuit. This also means that one should always insist on using batteries that are of the right type recommended by the manufacturers and that one should not interchange old and new batteries.
Store Properly
Storage is one of the most critical factors that you have to consider to ensure that you get the right readings from your infrared thermometer and it also has a longer lifespan. Make sure that the device is not exposed to very high or very low temperatures or direct sunlight, best to store the device in a cool and dry place. If your thermometer is provided with a case, then use it to avoid breakages of the equipment. They should never drop it or expose the device to too much shock, since this reduces its performance level.
Why Use a Cooking Thermometer
There are so many benefits of using an infrared cooking thermometer such as fast, non-contact temperature readings, which may aid in increasing hygiene and safety. This allows one to know the temperature of the cooking surface within the blink of an eye, consequently confirming that the foods are well cooked to the required temperature all without touching them hence contaminating them. This feature is convenient when using the oven in preparation of foods in large volumes or in setting up kitchens that handle many customers.
Check for Accuracy Periodically
As already mentioned, calibration of a thermometer is essential – nevertheless, it may sometimes be useful to conduct a verification check. This can be made by comparing the temperature of the standard or through a reference object of known temperature. To make sure that your readings are not becoming less accurate over time you should conduct regular accuracy checks.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If there is difficulty in using the thermometer, for instance, you find that the readings differ at times or the display is a problem, then you can try looking for some remedies in the user guide. Such problems may include low power on the device, problems with the lens, or even problems with the calibration. If this is the case then it might be advisable to seek the help of the manufacturer for professional repair or replacement.
Conclusion
It is important to care for your thermometer to improve its performance and durability. If you have to check the device calibration, clean the lens, manage batteries, and store the device properly then you can be sure of its good performance each time you use it.
