• watch the digital display until a constant temperature reading is obtained.

Either technique will give good results, but most people use the 10 second technique since the temperature will have a tendency to wander up and down some even when it has reached a true equilibrium.  And if you are busy, waiting for a steady reading can be very tedious.

Calibration

Anybody who is expected to produce good temperature data must regularly check their instrument for good performance. Our Digital Probes are very reliable instruments.  They do not ordinarily "lose" their calibration unless physically damaged or used for extended periods of time in an industrial or commercial setting.  Sometimes a probe can go bad in a gradual way, so it is impossible to know if you have good readings without undertaking some effort to determine if the readings are correct.  You can test a digital thermometer for yourself or send it back to use for a traceable and documented calibration.  First, how to check it for yourself:

Anyone can perform this simple test. First, get some distilled water and make ice cubes out of half of the water. Take the cubes out of the freezer and crush them in a blender with the remaining distilled water.  If you do not have a blender, put them inside an old clean towel and beat them with a hammer. Put the fine chips in with the distilled water.

Using the tip of the probe as a stirring rod, stir the mixture as vigorously as you possibly can (without making too much of a mess). The probe should read within 1.3° C or 2.5° F of the true freezing point 32.0° F or 0° C).   Please note: this does NOT mean that the probe has this much error in normal use, it is just a practical range to use with a non-laboratory procedure to check the general function of the unit.

If the unit falls outside of these limits (high or low), you have a probe that has a calibration problem and it is likely only to get worse rather than better. Do not use the probe.  If it is inside these limits, it is undoubtedly OK, so you can proceed with confidence.

We have extensive experience with calibration of temperature measuring devices, especially IR thermometers. We also offer a complete range of services for digital temperature logger and digital thermometers in compliance with the requirements of different programs, whether ISO, FDA, GLP, GMP or HACCP.

This is how our calibration services work: you send us your instrument by FedEx or other shipping method. Upon arrival, we will perform the requested calibration within 48 hours and reship back to you in the original container that you used to ship the item to us. We will include the "as found" calibration data with the returned shipment in the form of a calibration document. This can be used for offset adjustment of the instrument or for other documentary purposes.

We will post the calibration data on a password protected area on the Internet upon request for multiple calibration purchases. We use all N.I.S.T. traceable instrumentation and comply with all recognized international and U.S. standards. (Inquire about other calibration procedures).  Recalibration may not be ordered on line, but can be ordered under standard categories by phoning or mailing a request for a specific calibration service.

Batteries and Accuracy

Low battery power will not affect the accuracy of any of our instruments.   The first sign you may see is that the display is somewhat weak. If you have a weak display, it is a good idea to replace the battery immediately. Many digital units will give you a battery warning before low battery power affects the accuracy of your reading.

Measurement Technique