Does Anyone Use One of Those Contactless Thermometers to Measure The Temperature of Food and Other Random Stuff

AlienC on 26/09/2025 - 11:07
Last edited 26/09/2025 - 12:07

Ok so before you all go nuts and say just get a meat thermometer or a probe thermometer yes I already have one from some cheap deal a long time ago and it works great I think.

Now I saw the recent expired non contact thermometer meant for measuring fevers and human temperatures mostly but I'm wondering has anyone used another type of contactless or laser thermometer to measure the temperature of food?

I am mainly interested to play around with this with my air fryer and just check the temperature of random things like the air fryer, the window, my bowl after I make noodles etc the list goes on. I live a boring life.

So my question is does anyone have one of these that can I assume detect very high temperatures like maybe up to 300C or something or at least over 100C and do they work okay?

If you do please post the one you use and hopefully it is ozbargain approved because I don't want my next leisurely useless purchase to be too much.

Hope you are all having a lovely day.

Edit update: after watching this video https://youtu.be/YqUkxtUBG9M

I went with the NJTY T600A for about $14.96 AUD from AliExpress.. they hide the gst so it appears cheaper then sneak it up on you after payment

Food & Grocery Thermometer

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/09/2025 - 11:15

    I assume detect very high temperatures like maybe up to 300C or something or at least over 100C and do they work okay?

    i used to have a klein tools one but accidentally left it behind on a client visit many years ago - i recently grabbed this matador one from bunnings as I needed one in an emergency work issue - it seems fine. Still use till this day claims to use up measure up to 550 degrees - the max I ever measured was 90 degrees though.

    I just want to check you are aware the idea of probe thermometer for food is to judge whether its cooked through? Surface temp wont really help.

    • AlienC on 26/09/2025 - 12:04

      Yes I understand all of the above it will honestly mainly be for fun like measuring my gaming pc and other devices and maybe random stuff like window during summer or the freezer or frozen stuff on the counter etc.

      I have a proper meat thermometer probe style I have been using for meats this is just really for fun and to play and test with.

      I went with the njty T600A from AliExpress after watching this great YouTube video https://youtu.be/YqUkxtUBG9M

      Was about $15 AUD (AliExpress pulled a sneaky last second price change from like $13.46 AUD to $14.96 AUD with hidden tax $1.50 and shipping fee $0.01 a bit sneaky but honestly this is even cheaper than eBay and Amazon I think so f it).

      • peteru on 26/09/2025 - 21:55

        If you are after fun, then a thermal camera that is capable of overlaying on top of / mixing with normal camera pictures would be the most fun option. Such things are available as mobile phone attachments, though I have no personal experience with any of them.

        I'm sure there are cheaper options than FLIR.

        • AlienC on 27/09/2025 - 13:10

          oh yeah i will be honest i have not given this much thought probably no more than a few hours before purchase which as you know in ozbargain timelines you must at least scrutinise your purchase for years before even thinking about buying something at 95% off minimum otherwise you are just a normie

          but yeah if you have any cool android apps or gadgets that are cheap that can do this that you come across in future let me know because i am interested.. i remember some rugged work focused phones having this but not in the market for a phone atm but i remember some having cool stuff like laser levels, distance measurements and other cool ideas like thermal cameras with interface display etc

  • Cluster on 26/09/2025 - 11:33

    IR thermometers work well in most cases, but you have to be aware of their limitations. If you're measuring something shiny or with a mirrored finish it may be inaccurate.

  • freefall101 on 26/09/2025 - 12:18

    I bought a thermal camera for about $90 for this kind of fun. Just need to wait for a good coupon sale.

    It is useful to see how much missing insulation is in the roof without getting up there, find the cold points on windows, find where the cat is (she hides under blankets), see how warm my arm is and many other pointless things.

    Useless for cooking (as mentioned above, you want internal temperature) and definitely not worth $90, but it was actually handy for figuring out a lot of cold points in the house with the added bonus of looking like Mr Smith in the matrix when I have my glasses on (I glow and my glasses are dark, so cool).

  • Muppet Detector on 26/09/2025 - 18:37

    Which tip.

    If you touch something and it feels cold it is under 37C

    If you touch something and can't feel any temp, it's 37C

    If you touch something and it feels hot, it's over 37 degrees.

    Best place to test is your lip. Let blade of thin knife or metal skewer absorb the heat and gently bring that to lip or inside of wrist. Among other things, this is how you temper chocolate.

    Hotter or colder it is, further away from 37C it is.

    This works cos body temp is 37

    This is why mums press their lips against a baby's forehead to work out if he has a fever.

    ——-/—

    For proteins

    Bleu: 49C - 120F
    Rare: 54C - 130F
    Medium:70C - 150F
    WD:77C - 170F

    Test done ness for fineness by touch and comparison to pressure points on hand till you can just do by touch.

    For medium (80c - 150F) hot pan, season, sear one side. Wait till "blood/juices" come yo top, turn over and sear other side. Once juices rise yo top again, take off heat. Rest for a few minutes and that's medium.

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