Now quite ever it is vital to find out the way how to calibrate a thermometer. It’s the height of summer, after all, and you are going to wish to see the temperature of all those steaks you’re grilling. For that perfect medium rare, you are going to wish a tool that completely measures the temperature of the steak.
Hold the calibration nut securely with a wrench or other tool and rotate the top of the thermometer until it reads 32˚F (0˚C). Thermometers should be calibrated regularly to form sure the readings are correct. The ice-point method is that the most generally used method to calibrate a thermometer.
Since, we’re not all so lucky to own the world’s best and most accurate thermometer – which, btw, you should think about treating yourself to one – you’re going to have to learn how to test and adjust your thermometer so it’s backyard barbecue ready. Here’s how:
How to Calibrate a Thermometer – What is Calibrating Your Thermometer?
Just like watches can run slow or fast, food thermometers are subject to inaccuracies with age and use. Thermometer accuracy is often suffering from heat changes, like going from extremely hot food to cold food, or by being dropped or roughly handled.
And if you’re using your thermometer frequently, you’ll want to see it monthly just to form sure it’s working at its best.
Luckily, you’ll test the accuracy of your thermometer and, in most cases, calibrate it to read accurately again.
How Do You Calibrate the Thermometer?
Many thermometers have a nut under their temperature dial that permits them to be adjusted, while most digital models have a push-button. You’ll want to see the package instructions of your device for exact instructions for calibrating your thermometer.
In rare cases, thermometers can’t be calibrated. Even if your thermometer can’t be calibrated, you can – and should – use these methods to see its accuracy and ensure that you’re getting a correct temperature read on your food. In this case, you’ll note the degree of inaccuracy and adjust your cooking temperature accordingly.
For example, if the thermometer reads 2° above it should, always cook your food 2° above the recommended temperature on a recipe. Or, in seeing that your thermometer is inaccurate, you’ll buy a replacement one.
There are two methods for testing the accuracy of your thermometer and calibrating accordingly: you’ll calibrate it in extremely high temperatures or using extremely cold temperatures.
How to Calibrate a Digital Thermometer
A digital thermometer should always return accurate readings. Whether you employ it for cooking, for measuring blood heat, atmospheric temperature, or the other relevant use, a thermometer should be made to supply the right temperature. From time to time, digital thermometers would require recalibrating.
This is, fortunately, a very simple task. Here are some easy steps to follow.
Step 1 – Know When to Calibrate
You will want to calibrate the thermometer before you employ it for the primary time to make sure that a thermometer reads the right temperature before you would like it for any readings. It also needs calibration when dropped since the impact may affect its ability to read correctly.
It is also recommended that you simply calibrate a thermometer when it’s wont to measure extreme temperatures. Measuring extremely popular and really cold objects may cause slight errors subsequent time you attend test something. Finally, thermometers require regular calibration (daily or weekly) once they are used frequently.
Step 2 – Test Your Thermometer
Use these two methods to get your thermometer back on the right track. The first is the freezing point method. Fill a glass with crushed ice. Add a touch clean water until the glass is full and stir. Wait for about three minutes before inserting the sensor on the thermometer into the ice-filled water. Wait for about thirty seconds and make sure the thermometer reads 32°F.
If it does, then it’s accurate, but if not, it requires calibration. This is by far the most accurate method, and it will also give you an idea of how far off your readings are when it comes time to reset it.
Another method is called the boiling point method. You need to boil about six inches of water. When the water reaches its boiling point, place the sensor into the water, and make sure that you keep it as close to the center as possible, away from the sides and bottom of the container.
Wait for thirty seconds and check if the thermometer reads correctly at 212°F if you’re stumped level or below 1,000 feet elevation.
The boiling point of water will vary for different elevations: sea level at 212°F, 1000 feet at 210°F, 2000 feet at 208°F, 3000 feet at 206.4°F, 5000 feet at 202.75°F, and 8,000 feet at 197.5°F.
Step 3 – Calibrate the Digital Thermometer
Adjust the nut or the slotted fine adjusts potentiometer of the digital thermometer in order to correct the temperature as needed. This is done by simply turning the adjuster until an accurate reading is reached. Some digital thermometers don’t require any adjustment of a screw or nut.
You simply need to locate the reset button. When the freezing point or boiling point of water is achieved, push or hold the button and that’s it.
Since a single-point test can only make sure that your thermometer is correctly calibrated for one temperature, it’s best to conduct a minimum of two different tests using the measuring points above for the most accurate calibration.
