As I understand a bit more. and another question on the end.

[Richard Chrz]

And I am starting to use more pans on the grill, I am starting to think that one of those gun looking like IR readers is a pretty decent investment in finding accuracy. Is there any to steer away from? I am very happy with Thermoworks, but, I have given them enough money already, I would consider others. Although they do have one on for sale for 40 some dollars right now. Also, for those that have the Thermo pop and one of the other quick read pens, is there a remarkable amount of difference for that money? Like, I just saved 30 scallops from being over cooked because it is that fast, verses say 12 with the thermo pop? I am holding off on the MK4 and the IR Pen (maybe they are the same?) that is a lot of money, but, if it gives you that much more information a lot faster... then

[klflowers]

I have a bunch of thermometers now - I just got the Thermapen IR (https://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-IR) a couple of weeks ago. It is basically a MK4 with an IR at the other end. It works well out of the box. I already had an MK4; if this had been available when I got it, I would have gotten the IR instead. And yeah, I agree, Thermoworks has too much of my money. I hadn't even heard of them before I joined AR; now they might as well be on speed dial.

[Richard Chrz]

is the IR a good feature on there, or is it a reason for people to buy yet another pen? I would be very disappointed if it worked and felt more like an after thought, a possibly even a design screw up the probe side, because of it?

[klflowers]

It is still pretty new and I have checked the calibration and used it once, so I can't speak to reliability yet. But it looks like it was a design decision, and if you already have a Thermapen, you may be better off just getting a dedicated IR. You can get them much cheaper - I am just a gadget idiot. This one has been reviewed here and is only 29 bucks: https://amazingribs.com/thermometers...mometer-review

[FireMan]

Nobody says that about Weber or Traeger or Primo, well ya get the picture.

[jfmorris]

IR thermometers are good if you want to know the approximate surface temperature of a skillet or griddle - I have the one sold as an accessory by the Grillgrate folks over at www.grillgrate.com - the Maverick LT-04GG - its just a Maverick with a Grillgrates sticker on the side of it.

One thing you need to know is that the reflectivity/transmisivity/something of the object you point the IR gun at affects the readings. For example, if I point it at the well seasoned grill grates on my grill, or at a cast iron skillet, it reads pretty much spot on, from what I can tell. I found that if I on the other hand point it at a shiny stainless steel stock pot that is boiling water, the reading is off, and I think that is because that shiny surface is reflecting things (or emitting them) differently.

I also have been using it to do random things like spot check the temperature of AC vents around the house, look for leaks around doors and windows in the winter (based on temp around the perimeter of the door), and so on.

[texastweeter]

Output vent should be 16°-22° lower than input register. Just finished cleaning the inside of my evaporator coils myself due to the output not being right.

[Richard Chrz]

Thank you for that detailed history with it and how you are using it!

[texastweeter]

I use this one. Tops out at 750° so not high enough to temp my pizza oven, or black iron on range at high, but it's cheap.

[Richard Chrz]

Thank you for the recommendation!

[Jerod Broussard]

If you cook on flatware get an IR. And if someone else needs to cook on the grill this thing can help them out with not only the griddle temperature but also the internal temperature of the product on the grill.



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[Richard Chrz]

Thank you, I will take that into my reading, looks pretty versitlie.

[Oak Smoke]

I got mine from an automotive tools dealer. I don't think I gave a lot for it. We used them to find weak or missing cylinders on engines. Just check the exhaust temp at each cylinder. Now I use it on CI all the time.

[Oak Smoke]

I just checked on line, the thermoworks IR gun was 41 dollars and change on a limited time deal. Mine was not that cheap. If you want IR that looks like a deal.

[treesmacker]

I have this one and its good enough for me. Could definitely get an approximation of temp on my Cuisinart 360 griddle, and it was easy to see that the temperature is not the same over the entire surface. It has over 6,000 reviews with 93% of them 3 stars or better.

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY

Also, check out this newer model, and the many other models offered by this manufacturer...

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-1022-Thermometer-Temperature-Refrigerator/dp/B013X0NQT0/ref=dp_ob_title_kitchen

[surfdog]

I have a Thermoworks IR gun...no complaints. I use it on my griddle & pizza stone.

And i I too have a whole flock of TW gear...and have given away numerous TW thermometers. Kinda surprised they don’t call me when they have a sale. LOL

[xaugievike]

Ditto this

[fzxdoc]

Just make sure you get one with a high enough temperature range for what you will be cooking. To check a smoking hot CI griddle for searing temps, you'll need one that reads up to the 700 to 800° range. A lot of IR guns don't go that high.

Kathryn

[scottranda]

I use mine allllll the time for cooking eggs. 350-400 are the perfect temp for fried eggs. Plus I used it last night to see what my pizza stone was heated up too. Wok cooking soon. Oh and some sizzling fajitas. How would I know if they’re sizzling temp without that thermagun?

Love that thing!!!