Thermometers

[Wart]

How do you know if a thermometer is accurate?
What do you use for a base line?

Charlie

Boiling water, but don't expect to have it read a full 212/100 unless the probe is in contact with the pan. In boiling water my fluke reads 211, the other thermocouple usually reads around 211.5.

Ice and water slush, this will read 32/0.

Choose the calibration method for where and what the thermometer will be used to measure.

 

[Robt]

ThermoWorks thermocouples are guaranteed accurate to .2°C. I don't care if it is off that much when I pull the turkey out. .2°C = .36°F if I did my 'rithmatic correctly.

That said many of the shirt pocket Tailor types are adjustable. Look for a nut looking thing between the gauge and its probe. You stick it into the ice water bath and adjust the nut til the gauge reads 32/0 and then check it at the boiling end too. I adjust again as I use it for the heat end of its scale.