Any body tried one of these

[ade]

Non-Contact IR Infrared Digital Thermometer Laser Point.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Non-Contact-IR-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a03dd72d7
Kida tempted to buy one,i go through a ton of kitchen towel wiping espresso thermometers.

 

[carebear]

I use one for candlemaking, but I don't measure temps when soaping

 

[Chay]

I don't measure temps when making soap either. But if you get it let us know how well it works.

 

[Maria]

I used to use one when I made CP soaps. I don't need it with HP. It was handy rather than using 2 different thermometers and washing them.

 

[honor435]

i have one, it is awesome, but i got it for free, hubby got it from his last job, its awesome to just point and click and see what the temp is. I wouldnt spend the money on one.
So, ladies that dont use a therm, do you just warm oils and wait til lye/water is cool?

 

[jennikate]

pretty much Honor. When containers are warm to touch not hot I mix and stir.

 

[dggriffi]

Non-Contact IR Infrared Digital Thermometer Laser Point.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Non-Contact-IR-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a03dd72d7
Kida tempted to buy one,i go through a ton of kitchen towel wiping espresso thermometers.

seems like it would only measure surface temperature.

 

[jarvan]

I have a basic digital therm if I want to check temps, but I have been pre-mixing my lye so it's room temp and I just warm the oils till just melted. I really don't care about the temp unless doing a milk soap.

 

[honor435]

no, its not surface temps, my hubby used to use for making cultered marble at his work, i compared with imersion therm.

 

[agriffin]

I have a basic digital therm if I want to check temps, but I have been pre-mixing my lye so it's room temp and I just warm the oils till just melted. I really don't care about the temp unless doing a milk soap.

Those type of thermometer do say to mix whatever you are temping so the temp is more accurate. But yes it does generally measure surface temp.

 

[honor435]

mine is a infra red laser its not surface temp.

 

[agriffin]

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I want people to get accurate information- especially if they are new to soaping. An infra red thermometer measures the average temperature of the surface within it's measuring diameter. You will need to make sure you agitate or mix whatever you are temping so the temperature is evenly dispersed and you get an accurate temp. For example if you are taking the temp of shea butter being melted over a burner- you will need to stir well because it will be hotter on the bottom (closer to heat source) than on the surface.

http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/Pr ... uctID=7853

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4962575_la ... -work.html

 

[carebear]

I'm not sure about this - so just throwing it out there, but I believe they measure temperature based on the reflected light. Oils that are melted to clear transmit a lot of the light, which is why you can see the little red dot on the bottom of the container. So I'm not sure exactly what temp is being measured - product? surface temp? or (most likely IMO) the temp of the inside of your container. If you mix your stuff well, and don't have it on a heat source then in theory the three should be approximately the same.

 

[agriffin]

I'm not sure about this - so just throwing it out there, but I believe they measure temperature based on the reflected light. Oils that are melted to clear transmit a lot of the light, which is why you can see the little red dot on the bottom of the container. So I'm not sure exactly what temp is being measured - product? surface temp? or (most likely IMO) the temp of the inside of your container. If you mix your stuff well, and don't have it on a heat source then in theory the three should be approximately the same.

The little red laser dot doesn't have anything to do with taking the temp. It is so people can use it as a guide to make sure they are hitting their target. (From what I understand...)

http://www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/tech ... htm&ID=377

 

[carebear]

interesting

 

[agriffin]

interesting

They are really handy to have...measuring homemade candy, especially great for melt & pour soap so you don't melt the layers or embeds. You always see Ann Marie with hers.

Or just to run around your house and shoot it at stuff to see how it temps... :roll:

 

[carebear]

Oh I have one. As I said above, I use it for my candlemaking.

 

[xyxoxy]

I usually don't take temps with CP but occasionally I'm curious or want to be sure a certain recipe isn't heating up too fast. I sometimes let my hard oils get a little too warm when melting them.

I got my infrared laser thermometer from Harbor Freight for much less than the one on Ebay. I think it was around $12 bucks with one of their coupons. Works great. And I agree that the laser is only for aiming as mine allows me to turn the laser off and it still reads the same temp.
I'm not claiming to be an authority on it but that's my experience.

 

[ChrissyB]

I've never taken temps when making cp soap.
My son has one of these digital thermometers as he keeps reptiles and uses it to check their temps in their enclosures.