Using an Infrared Thermometer in the Kitchen

June 9, 2026 On April 14, 2022

Infrared thermometers have revolutionized commercial kitchens as they enable cooks to stand at a safe distance while getting an accurate temperature reading of the food. Now, it is possible to enjoy this in your own kitchen as they are widely available on the market. If you are curious how to use an infrared thermometer for cooking, you have come to the right place.

The basics of infrared thermometers

There is a good chance you have seen infrared thermometers, especially in the past couple of years. Those handheld devices used by health workers and security officers to take your temperature are one example. Also known as temperature guns or no-contact thermometers, infrared thermometers measure temperature without having to touch or even be near something. They are specially designed to quickly and accurately measure surface temperature by gauging the intensity of the thermal radiation of a particular thing, all without making physical contact. This means you can measure temperature from a safe distance and get accurate results.

How infrared thermometers work

Though they may differ in specifics, most infrared thermometers work by a similar basic principle. Most infrared thermometers are designed as a point-and-click handheld device that measures the infrared radiation being emitted by a certain object. Here’s how infrared thermometers work: Focused infrared light – Infrared thermometers are equipped with a component called thermopile to focus infrared light on a certain object. This measures the distance between the waves in the environment that surrounds the object and the infrared radiation waves it emits. Converts radiation into a temperature reading – To give users the temperature reading, thermopile converts radiation into heat, which is then converted into an electrical signal. Thermocouple takes the electric signal – The electric signal from the thermopile is then relayed to a sensing-mechanism inside the thermometer called the thermocouple. The temperature reading is then displayed on the screen. The whole process lasts about a couple of seconds, some wotk even faster. This makes infrared thermometers extremely efficient in providing accurate temperature readings.

Digital Infrared Ear Thermometer for Accurate Body Temperature Readings.

Advantages of infrared thermometers for cooking

Accurate and quick temperature check from a distance

The point-and-shoot system of the infrared thermometer is definitely its biggest advantage over other types of kitchen and cooking thermometers. Getting a quick and easy temperature check from a distance by simply pointing the device at something is super convenient and hassle-free. That means you don’t have to insert a probe into the meat or dip the thermometer into the hot oil. This makes it ideal for commercial kitchens where cooks are doing multiple things at once, or even in your household kitchen should you want to keep your distance from the high heat.

The disadvantage of infrared thermometer for cooking

While infrared thermometers are extremely useful, convenient, hassle-free, and quick to use, there are also limitations. For one, this type of thermometer measures surface temperature, and not the internal temperature of a certain object. This can be tricky if you are cooking a huge cut of meat, as the temperature of the core of the meat may be different from its surface temperature. Also, due to emissivity (the measure of a certain object’s ability to emit infrared energy), some objects can give inaccurate temperature readings.

How to use an infrared thermometer for cooking

Since the design and functionality of this type of thermometer vary from one brand to another, they can be tricky to operate. Here are the basic steps to properly operate the majority of infrared thermometers on the market:

Turn it on. Press the power button to turn the device on.
Choose settings. Some thermometers have different settings for appropriate measurements. Toggle between Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Aim. Hold the thermometer about half a foot away from the target you plan on measuring.
Press the button. Hold the button down until the device starts to read the temperature.
Steady your hands. Keep the device steady as you wait for the results. For best results, hold the device steadily at the same distance and position as you started measuring.
Read the results. The temperature will be displayed on the screen.

FAQs on using an infrared thermometer for cooking

Can you use an infrared thermometer to check the grill?

Yes! While most grills on the market today come equipped with thermometers that measure the internal temperature of the grill, they are often inaccurate. An infrared thermometer will let you know if your grill is hot enough and ready for cooking.

Can you use an infrared thermometer to double-check your oven temperature?

No! Most ovens have temperature options (analog knob or digital) that put the temperature of the oven pretty close to the setting you chose. However, over time, their accuracy can decline. However, simply pointing the thermometer to the oven will not give you an accurate reading of the internal temperature of the oven, as the thermometer will only read the surface temperature of the walls of the oven. And if you open your oven door, you will allow the heat to escape.

Can you use an infrared thermometer to check the freezer and fridge temperature?

Yes! Most fridges and freezers have dials calibrated from 1 to 5, but these aren’t actual temperatures. An infrared thermometer can give you a more accurate reading.

Can you use an infrared thermometer to check liquid temperature?

Absolutely yes! This makes infrared thermometers extremely useful and practical in the kitchen – they are versatile and convenient. You can use them for measuring the temperatures of any liquid, be it coffee, soup, or even oil. You can use this thermometer to keep track of the heat of the cooking oil you are using as its temperature rises. This means you can get the perfect timing for when to put your food in to fry (before the oil reaches smoke point). As soon as you place your food in the oil, the temperature will decline, and you will be surprised to see how much it does.

Can you use an infrared thermometer to check the doneness of the food you are cooking?

Unfortunately, no you cannot. While it can help you gauge, the surface temperature of the food (especially meat), it may be different from the internal temperature. Thus, using it for checking doneness may give you inaccurate results, since you cannot depend on the outside temperature of the food to determine whether it is thoroughly cooked or not. The best way to check for the doneness of your food (meat in particular) is to measure its internal temperature.