Checking Water Temperature with an Infrared Laser Thermometer

infrared thermometer with red laser light
  • 1 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50
What You'll Need
Black electrical tape
Infrared thermometer
Thermometer guide book
Aluminum container
What You'll Need
Black electrical tape
Infrared thermometer
Thermometer guide book
Aluminum container

An infrared thermometer is a state of the art device that measures the surface temperature of an object. An infrared thermometer works with its series of lenses and mirrors to capture the infrared energy emitted on objects. An infrared thermometer is used in many ways such as to measure the "surface" temperature of food, hazardous materials, and liquids. Here are the steps you need to take to measure the temperature of the water using an infrared thermometer.

Step 1 - Read the Manual

Different types of infrared thermometers have different calibration settings used to measure the temperature of objects. Read the manual and determine the calibration setting for measuring the temperature of the water using your infrared thermometer.

Step 2 - Prepare the Vessel

The vessel is an aluminum can with a strip of electrical tape on its side. The electrical tape is to prevent reflected infrared energy from the aluminum can to skew your readings.

Step 3 - Pour the Water

Pour the water that you want to get a temperature reading into the vessel. Utmost care is necessary if the water is boiling hot.

Step 4 - Point the Infrared Thermometer

Point the laser end of the infrared thermometer toward the strip of electrical tape at the side of the vessel. Again, read the manual to determine the proper distance between your infrared thermometer and the vessel to get an accurate reading.

Step 5 - Wait for the Results

After a couple of seconds, the temperature will be displayed on the digital screen of your infrared thermometer. To verify the results, take at least two readings.