When you think about a thermometer, you probably picture a device with some kind of probe that is placed into the object being measured. Whether it is a thermometer that you place under your tongue to take your own temperature, or a food thermometer that you push into a piece of meat to make sure it is done, probe-style thermometers have long been a standard. However, there are plenty of other options on the market today, and infrared thermometers are among the most exciting and useful styles to consider. Offering ease of use and accurate readings, there is a lot to like about an infrared option.

An infrared thermometer may be called for anytime the surface temperature of an object needs to be determined. Obviously, since the infrared beam is only bouncing off of the surface, this is not a suitable method of measurement when the interior temperature of an object needs to be found. There are nearly countless applications, and this technology is already used in a wide range of industries. Checking the level of heat coming from a piece of equipment, for instance, is a good way to check for trouble that may be occurring on the inside. If the equipment is hotter than it should be on the surface, there is a good chance that something is going wrong internally. Considering how many various infrared thermometer models are available today, and how accurate they have become, it is easy to see why they are a popular choice in a number of industries.

Why Infrared?

There are a number of reasons why you should consider choosing infrared technology for your temperature reading needs. When shopping for a thermometer to add to your stable of equipment, consider purchasing a quality infrared thermometer for some of the following reasons.

1. Accuracy. Obviously, you need to be confident that you are getting an accurate reading from your thermometer when you put it to use, and infrared models have a great reputation for accuracy. The technology used in these products is simple yet advanced, and you should be able to rely on the information that you receive - provided that the thermometer is used in the right way.

2. Safety. One of the great things about being able to check on temperature remotely is that you don't actually need to touch the object in question. If you are trying to take the temperature of a particularly hot item, you won't need to place your hand, or even another piece of equipment, onto the hot surface. Just by aiming your IR thermometer at the object you wish to measure, you can get all of the information you need without putting yourself at risk.

3. Contamination prevention. Another benefit to the remote measuring system is avoidance of contamination. This is particularly important within the food service world, but it applies in other applications as well. Since you don't need to touch the item that you are measure, you won't need to worry about contaminating that product with the probe of a thermometer. Rather than having to make sure that all of your temperature measuring equipment is properly sterilized prior to each use, you can simply point the IR gun at the item being measured and forget any worries about contamination problems.

4. Durability. You want an Infrared Thermometer that is tough enough to stand up to the demands of the jobsite, workshop or just being bounced around in your toolbox.

There are certainly more than three advantages to using infrared, but the three listed above are some of the most important. Additionally, the cost of this technology has come down in recent years, meaning you can access this great method of temperature measurement for a significantly lower cost than it would have required just a few short years ago.

UNI-TUT305S Professional Infrared Thermometer