IR thermometers

NDG

My holiday wish list to the inlaws is overdue, but interested in IR thermometer for high temp pizzas.  I see a few posts about different IR Therms here on the forum, but I hoping to go cheap as possible because I would ONLY be using this for the pizza stone.  Amazon has tons of options, so curious if anyone with a experience could add their .02 ???   Thanks!  

stlcharcoal

I have the one from Harbor Freight.  Comes out under $30 w/ the 25% off coupons that are in all my magazines.  I've had mine for almost 5 yrs--mainly use it to measure the temp of milk/formula for babies.  Worked great for skillets and pizza stones too! 

http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-infrared-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-69465-8905.html

caliking

I've had this one for 3+ years:

http://www.amazon.com/Kintrex-IRT0421-Non-Contact-Thermometer-Targeting/dp/B0017L9Q9C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385518598&sr=8-1&keywords=kintrex

Works well and has had other uses as well - checking the attic temp, checking the temp difference between AC vents, convincing AT&T customer service rep that my modem was overheating to 100°+, etc.

Mike_the_BBQ_Fanatic

I have this one, but I got it at a local hardware store (menards). http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-IRT207-Heat-Seeker/dp/B00377BSU4/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1385530511&sr=8-30&keywords=ir+thermometer Paid the same price... I got it way b4 the egg...I bought it to check pool temps but we use it all the time for all kinds of stuff...you should see the dog chase the laser dot... And it is great for reading the pizza stone

Skiddymarker

stlcharcoal said:

I have the one from Harbor Freight.  Comes out under $30 w/ the 25% off coupons that are in all my magazines.  I've had mine for almost 5 yrs--mainly use it to measure the temp of milk/formula for babies.  Worked great for skillets and pizza stones too! 

http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-infrared-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-69465-8905.html

Ideal. The issue with IR is the ability to accurately read temps on things like stainless, not an issue with pizza stones. The HF unit works very well, mine is over a year old. 

NDG

Thanks for the feedback.  The harbor freight unit (MFG: cen-tech) looks like a great deal and nice to hear it has held up for years.  Also, it can handle high temps over 900 . . perfect!

Mike_the_BBQ_Fanatic the description on your unit says it can read up to 604F . . . I am not certain this would work for testing the stone on a high temp (dome of 700f) pizza?  

Now I am just curious, how hot will the pizza stone get on a 700F dome egg?  

Aviator

+1 on HF. Works great. 

And it is lit up like Xmas as well. It is always in my BGE bib (as I call it) 

)

Charlesmaneri

I have a question regarding IR thermometers my question is do they just read the surface temp of lets say a pork shoulder or does it give a internal  temp of the pork shoulder ? 

RiverRatSkier

These read surface temp only, not internal temp.  They are looking for the heat radiating off of a surface.  To get an internal temp, you need a probe that goes inside to the area you want a temp reading for. 

Also, due to the non-contact method of reading temp, the innacuracy is a little bit higher than most contact thermometers.  The HF model states +/-2.5% or +/- 4.5 deg. F, whichever is greater. Definitely close enough for temp of a stone or skillet.  Marginal for a medium rare steak.

bettysnephew

If anyone is interested in an IR thermo, Thermoworks is having a sale.

 

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/ir/?utm_source=Nl-2013Dec4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=IRSale&utm_content=inbox&utm_campaign=Dec2013-Infrared-Sale-cs

laserdoc85

Why would I need one? 

RRP

bettysnephew said:

If anyone is interested in an IR thermo, Thermoworks is having a sale.

 

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/ir/?utm_source=Nl-2013Dec4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=IRSale&utm_content=inbox&utm_campaign=Dec2013-Infrared-Sale-cs

I bought their more expensive model I.R.K. + Type K. It is more accurate and has a wider range. When I bought it there was a similar offer as now...that is if you buy this unit plus the probe attachment it serves the same as their instant read Thermapen. The combo is on sale for $89 vs.the regular price of $104. Seems like $89 spent this way is more bang for the buck then just a Thermapen by itself.

Carolina Q

Can't imagine buying a $30 Harbor Freight IR when, for another, $15, I could have one from Thermoworks. So I spent the extra $15. Works great!

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/ir/irgun.html

Austin Egghead

I second what Michael said I have the one from Thermoworks. Lots of uses beside the egg.

laserdoc85

Just ordered mine