There are a ton of thermometers out there to choose from. While the intended use is certainly the most important factor when choosing one, there is a lot more to the process than that.
If you have been in the market for a digital thermometer but aren’t quite sure what direction to take, a few tips can help. Check out the guide below to learn what makes for a good digital thermometer.
Contact vs. Non-Contact
When you start looking for a thermometer from a vendor like RS, one of the first things to consider is what you’ll be using it for. Contact thermometers are great for food service, for instance. For industrial and medical purposes, a non-contact infrared thermometer might be better.
Because there are so many digital thermometers out there, it won’t do to pick just any one. When you have a clear idea of what it is you will be using it for, that will help to narrow down your search for the right one. Determining contact vs. non-contact is the best place to start because there are certain applications that each will work for.
Accuracy
Now that you know what you’ll be using the digital thermometer for, it’s time to look at the different factors that make one better than another. Perhaps the single most important thing to consider when choosing a digital thermometer is its accuracy. Some applications don’t require fine accuracy while others need to be down to within 0.01 degrees.
If you can get away with something a bit more imprecise, it is possible to save a few bucks. If accuracy is paramount, it will cost a little more but you will be able to nail down specific temperature readings over a wider range of temperatures.
Speed
Accuracy is an important thing but there is another factor that may come into play: speed. Not every application requires a super-fast reading, but others most certainly do. For instance, cooking certain dishes requires cooking at a specific temperature for a certain amount of time.
Having a digital thermometer that can generate instant readings becomes imperative. For the most part, the decent digital thermometers will produce a reading in no more than a few seconds. If you need to be really fast, then look for thermometers that come back with a reading in just a single second. When precision is required, you can’t run the risk of getting things wrong and won’t have to if you use the right digital thermometer.
Easy to Use
These are digital thermometers, so you shouldn’t have to take a course to learn how to use one. Anyone using a digital thermometer will want to get the reading and get on with their day. The best digital thermometers not only provide quick, accurate readings, but are super easy to use. That’s not to say that the number of features has to be limited. Proper instructions come with the thermometer so that users can figure out to use those features quickly and easily.
Depending on what kind of digital thermometer you get, there are certain features to learn about. Proper instructions will walk you through each of them. Whether that be an insertion guide, beeps and indicators, age adjustments, memory, or a litany of other potential features, having a guide will ensure that you know how to use each of them in no time.
It doesn’t take a whole lot to find a digital thermometer that works best for you. When you find the best fit, it is the kind of device that will come in handy more often than you realize.