Thermometers

Thermometers measure temperature across a wide range of industrial, food safety, laboratory, and HVAC applications. We stock infrared (non-contact), thermocouple, RTD, and probe-style digital thermometers for field and lab use.

Types of Thermometers

Infrared thermometers measure surface temperature from a distance without contact, useful for quick spot-checks on moving, hot, or hard-to-reach surfaces. Thermocouple thermometers use a sensor probe to measure temperature directly, offering a wide temperature range and fast response time across interchangeable probe types (Type K, J, T, etc). RTD (resistance temperature detector) thermometers provide higher accuracy and long-term stability, commonly used in laboratory and calibration reference applications.

Choosing the Right Thermometer

Non-contact infrared thermometers are best suited for surface temperature checks where contact isn’t practical or safe, though they don’t measure internal or air temperature. Contact thermometers (thermocouple, RTD, or probe-style) are required for internal food temperature checks, liquid immersion, or applications needing higher accuracy.

Temperature Range & Accuracy

Ranges vary widely by type and application, from food safety thermometers covering -40°C to 150°C, up to industrial thermocouple probes rated well above 1000°C. Accuracy for general-purpose models is typically ±1°C to ±2°C, while precision RTD reference thermometers can achieve ±0.05°C or better.

Common Applications

• Food safety and HACCP compliance
• HVAC and refrigeration diagnostics
• Industrial process monitoring
• Laboratory and calibration reference measurement
• Electrical panel and equipment surface checks

Not sure which thermometer fits your application? Contact our team — we can help match sensor type, range, and accuracy to your specific requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use an infrared or contact thermometer?

Infrared thermometers are ideal for quick surface spot-checks without contact, but can’t measure internal or air temperature. Contact thermometers are required for internal food checks, liquid immersion, or any application needing to measure actual material temperature rather than surface temperature.

What’s the difference between a thermocouple and an RTD?

Thermocouples offer a wide temperature range and fast response at a lower cost, while RTDs provide higher accuracy and better long-term stability, making them preferred for laboratory and calibration reference applications.

What thermocouple type should I use?

Type K is the most common general-purpose thermocouple, suitable for a wide range up to about 1260°C. Type J and Type T are used for more specific ranges and environments — check your application’s temperature range and required accuracy before selecting.

Do you provide calibration certificates for thermometers?

Yes, select models are available with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate at the time of purchase. Look for the certification filter above or contact us for a custom calibration request.