The PCE Instruments PCE-IR 100 is a professional food thermometer designed for fast and reliable temperature checks using both non-contact infrared measurement and a penetration probe. The dual measuring mode allows the operator to check surface temperature with infrared technology and, when required, measure the internal temperature of the product by inserting the probe into the food. This combination makes the instrument particularly useful for HACCP checks, food quality control, professional catering, industrial kitchens, food laboratories and departments where temperature is a critical parameter for safety, storage and product quality.

The infrared function measures surface temperature without direct contact with the food or surface being checked. According to the manual, to use this mode the infrared lens must be aimed at the object and the SCAN button pressed; during scanning the display updates the values and, when the button is released, the HOLD function keeps the last value visible for 15 seconds. The distance-to-spot ratio is 2.5:1, so it is important to work as close as possible to the object to obtain a representative reading of the target area.

The infrared measuring range is -33 to +220 °C, with 0.2 °C resolution. Accuracy varies depending on the range: from -30 to 0 °C it is ±1 °C + 0.1/°C, from 0 to 65 °C it is ±1 °C and from 65 to 200 °C it is ±1.5% of the measured value. This mode is suitable for fast checks on surfaces, packaging, storage areas, displayed food, counters, containers and processes where direct contact should be avoided or inspection time reduced. Non-contact measurement is useful as a first check, but when internal food temperature is required, the penetration probe should be used.

The integrated penetration probe measures the internal temperature of food or the material being checked. The manual specifies a measuring range from -55 to +330 °C, with 0.2 °C resolution and accuracy of ±1 °C below -5 °C, ±0.5 °C between -5 and +65 °C and ±1.0% of the measured value above +65 °C. This function is essential for checking cooking, cooling, hot holding, refrigeration and food safety, because surface temperature does not always represent the real internal thermal condition.

The PCE-IR 100 includes an HACCP CHECK function with symbols and LED indication. The manual specifies that a green LED with the cold symbol indicates a temperature below 4 °C, while the safety indication for hot food is around 60 °C; when the temperature is between 4 °C and 60 °C, a red LED with the dedicated icon indicates an HACCP risk zone. This function helps the operator quickly interpret the measured value and identify potentially critical conditions for food safety.

The instrument includes useful operating functions such as MIN/MAX, LOCK, °C/°F selection, emissivity adjustment and HOLD. MIN/MAX mode displays the minimum and maximum values during measurement, useful when checking surfaces with uneven temperature distribution. LOCK mode allows continuous measurement for up to 60 minutes or until deactivated, making it useful for longer monitoring. °C/°F selection makes the instrument suitable for different working environments, while adjustable emissivity from 0.10 to 1.00 allows infrared measurement to be adapted to the surface being checked.

An important technical aspect concerns the limits of infrared measurement. The manual states that the non-contact function cannot be used correctly on glass, shiny surfaces or polished and reflective metals. This means that readings on glossy or reflective surfaces may not be representative. In food and HACCP applications, it is therefore important to choose the correct measuring mode: infrared for fast surface checks and penetration probe for internal product temperature.

The IP65 protection makes the device water-resistant, an important feature in food environments where humidity, frequent cleaning, splashes or demanding working conditions may be present. The manual also recommends correctly closing the battery compartment and positioning the seal after battery replacement in order to maintain the device’s protection. Power is supplied by 2 CR2032 batteries, with an approximate operating life of 40 hours.

In professional environments, the PCE-IR 100 can be used in professional kitchens, canteens, restaurants, food laboratories, supermarkets, delicatessens, food industries, goods receiving departments, cold rooms, preparation lines and hot holding areas. It is useful for quickly checking refrigerated foods, hot products, food during cooking, cooling products, working surfaces and process conditions. The combination of surface and internal measurement helps the operator choose the most appropriate check for each situation.

Precision, resolution and measurement are directly related to this product because the thermometer provides numerical temperature values with separate specifications for infrared and probe measurement. Heights, transmission play and geometric errors are not parameters measured by the instrument; the technical value of the PCE-IR 100 instead lies in temperature control as a critical variable for food safety, storage, process quality and internal procedure compliance. To obtain reliable results, the measuring ranges should be respected, the probe reading should be allowed to stabilise, the probe should not be twisted or forced, and the limits indicated in the manual should not be exceeded.

The PCE Instruments PCE-IR 100 is therefore a practical and professional solution for users who need to check food temperature quickly, flexibly and in line with HACCP requirements. Dual measuring mode, HACCP CHECK function, IP65 protection, integrated penetration probe, infrared measurement and MIN/MAX, LOCK and HOLD functions make it suitable for daily checks in professional food environments where speed, hygiene, safety and repeatability are essential.