Streamline thermometer checks at your site to drive standards of food safety and compliance.

Accurate and reliable temperature measurement plays an essential role in food safety – helping operatives to manage Critical Control Points, reduce food safety risks, drive standards of product quality, and secure audit compliance.

Even so, many sites are yet to update their approach to thermometer management, still relying on outdated methods for checking the accuracy of their thermometers and documenting the results.

If you are looking to enhance your current protocol – all whilst saving time, reducing errors, increasing accuracy, protecting your workers, and securing long-term cost savings – the following article will guide you through the process.

Choose the Right Method

When it comes to on-site thermometer checks, there are three popular methods to consider:

OPTION A: Ice & Boiling Water Method

Place the temperature probe inside an ice-water bath (approx. 0 °C). Allow it to stabilise for around 30 seconds, before taking a reading. Repeat the process with a bath of boiling water (approx. 100 °C).

OPTION B:
Test Caps

Select a test cap that is calibrated to your desired reference temperature
(e.g. 0 °C, 70°C, 100°C). Connect the thermometer to the test cap, wait until it is stable, then record the thermometer reading.

OPTION C: Dry Block Calibrator (LazaPort8)

Insert the temperature probe(s) into the LazaPort8 blocks. Allow time for the device(s) to stabilise before taking a reading. Repeat the process for the other block (each block is a different temperature).

Ice and Boiling Water Test Caps LazaPort8
✅ Pros
  • Low cost
  • Checks multiple probes at once
  • Checks accuracy of the thermometer and the probe
  • Safe to use
  • Fast process with no set up required
  • Traceable to UKAS standard
  • Safe to use
  • Checks multiple thermometers at once (up to eight)
  • Checks accuracy of the thermometer and the probe
  • Fast process with no set up required
  • Traceable to UKAS standard
  • Accurate to ±0.3°C
  • No reference thermometer needed
  • Also calibrates infrared thermometers
  • Adjustable for different probe types
❌ Cons
  • Constantly changing temperatures make it difficult to obtain repeatable and accurate results
  • Requires additional reference thermometer
  • Health and safety risks from boiling water
  • Time consuming to set up, use, and clear away
  • Unsuitable for thermometers with in-situ probes
  • Requires annual off-site UKAS calibration
  • Only checks the accuracy of the thermometer, not the probe (where most issues occur)
  • Higher upfront cost, but long-term savings
Learn more about the LazaPort8

Prioritise Ongoing Training

First, ensure your team fully grasps the importance of thermometer checks by using ongoing training to underline the risks that arise when products or ingredients reach incorrect temperatures. A tried-and-tested way to boost engagement is to highlight the ‘Why?’ behind the process in question.

Next, clearly define responsibilities across the entire process – from performing the initial checks to taking corrective action if thermometers fall outside pre-set limits. Of course, every team member should be engaged and enthusiastic, but mistakes will be made if a clear chain of command isn’t in place.

Finally, consider introducing a dedicated instrument station for the thermometers at your site. Not only will this protect the equipment between use and make it easier for your team to find the tools they need, but there is also the option to add text and images to the stations. This could be a quick and easy way to put thermometer checks at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Learn more about Customised Instrument Stations

That wraps up our guide to streamlining thermometer checks at your food factory, covering the different options for verification and the importance of ongoing training.

If you have any questions about the solutions mentioned throughout this article, contact us directly on 01473461800 or sales@klipspringer.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form below. 

Learn more about the LazaPort8

If you would like to discuss your site’s approach to on-site thermometer checks, share your contact details below and we will be in touch.