Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Non-contact Digital Laser IR Infrared

Purchased to replace the last of a series of dial-type oven thermometers used until very recently (both from the same brand but purchased at different times) which invariably need frequent replacement as either the glass or the dial beneath darken with repeated, extensive exposure to heat. The problem is that every oven takes a certain time to reach the set temperature and when there is doubt, the thermometer may need to stay in place during the warm-up and cooking periods as it is then too hot to handle. The “Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser IR Infrared Thermometer, -50C ~ 550C ( -58F~1022F ), Instant Read Temperature Gun, Rubber Paint Technology, Yellow/Black” never needs physically to be in the oven but is used externally via the open oven door, and from a short distance from the food or utensil within it, to check the temperature.

It clearly cannot check internal temperature of a joint of meat or poultry and a probe thermometer may be additionally required to verify that both appropriate levels are reached; while appearing cooked on the outside, it is possible for it to be almost raw inside especially if improperly thawed from frozen. The desired temperature levels for different meats, fish etc can usually be found on-line but are often printed in cookery books and sometimes in food-related articles in newspapers and magazines.

It has an extensive temperature range from -50 to 550C which will cover everything from the fridge and freezer, which should be among the coldest, and almost anything beyond including temperatures of different sections of a running vehicle engine, domestic radiators or almost anything else. It takes a standard 9v flat battery (included but not actually connected) which is held within the grip and which are readily available and not overly expensive to replace when required, although that provided is expected to provide a year or more’s service when often used. The battery is protected by a thick plastic film that needs be removed before first use and then connected. The fit within its compartment is tight!

It is claimed to offer an accuracy of +/- 2-deg, far better that the +/- 5-deg suggested by the best of the analogue rotary ones which in practice may be much greater. Their reading accuracy may be imprecise, adding further problems. Sometimes two such thermometers were used side-by-side (normally on different oven shelves) and they can easily differ from each other by 30-deg or more. It was impossible to know which of them, if any, was the more accurate. It is now known that one read slightly high and the other consistently very low! Under- or over-cooking within the normally used time for a dish, or as suggested by a recipe, can therefore be effectively avoided. This provided readings closely similar – a couple of degrees C lower – to one, that long thought to be the more accurate.

As the thermometer includes both laser and IR-sensing technology, although the laser is low-power and relatively safe when not misused, proper safety precautions should be taken and use by young children should never be permitted. Equally, it should never be used to check body temperatures or pointed towards vehicles on the road or flying aircraft.