Infrared Thermometer Uses in the Garage
An infrared thermometer reads surface heat from a distance, so brakes, engine parts, exhaust, tires and HVAC vents give up their hot spots without touching a hot part.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
TempPro TempScan Infrared Thermometer Gun with 29.6/10View on Amazon - 2
KNINE OUTDOORS Infrared Thermometer Gun9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Laser Infrared Thermometer Non-Contact Digital9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
Klein Tools IR1 Infrared Thermometer9.5/10View on Amazon
After a brake job, a wheel that runs hotter than the rest points to a brake that drags, and a cold cylinder on a warm engine points to a cylinder that never fires. Infrared thermometer uses in the garage start with moments like that: a non-contact thermometer reads surface heat from a distance, so a hot spot, a cold hose or a dragging brake shows up without touching the part.
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Below: the uses, the aiming tips, the limits and the picks.
TempPro TempScan Infrared Thermometer Gun with 2
A TempPro infrared thermometer gun with 2 lasers, a 16:1 ratio, adjustable emissivity from 0.1 to 1.0 and MAX/MIN/AVG tracking, reading -58 to 1022 F.
Pros
- 16:1 ratio reads a small spot from farther away
- 2 laser targeting with adjustable emissivity from 0.1 to 1.0
- Accurate to +/- 1.5%
- MAX/MIN/AVG tracking, answering in 0.5 seconds
Cons
- Tops out at 1022 F, below the 1112 F picks
- Battery type is not stated
- No auto-off time is stated
- No calibration range is stated
KNINE OUTDOORS Infrared Thermometer Gun
A KNINE infrared thermometer gun reading -58 to 1112 F with a 12:1 ratio, single laser targeting and adjustable emissivity from 0.1 to 1.0.
Pros
- Wide -58 to 1112 F range
- Adjustable emissivity from 0.1 to 1.0 for varied materials
- Single laser targeting with 12:1 ratio for hard-to-reach spots
- Runs on two AAA batteries
Cons
- Single laser; the TempPro aims with 2 lasers
- No response time is stated
- No MAX/MIN/AVG tracking is stated
- No warranty term is stated
Laser Infrared Thermometer Non-Contact Digital
A DEASOMIYE laser infrared thermometer reading -50 to 600 C in 0.5 seconds, with a backlit LCD, a hold function and 12 seconds auto-off.
Pros
- Answers in 0.5 seconds for fast scans
- -50 to 600 C range for cooking, car repair and HVAC
- Hold function with unit switching and backlit LCD
- Calibration range of -3 to 3 C
Cons
- Reads surface temperature only, never internal temperature
- Not for measuring people or animals
- Emissivity adjustment is not stated
- Battery type is not stated
Klein Tools IR1 Infrared Thermometer
A Klein infrared thermometer with laser targeting, auto-hold and a backlit display, reading -4 to 752 F with a 10:1 ratio and fixed 0.95 emissivity.
Pros
- Range of -4 to 752 F for garage checks
- Laser targeting with auto-hold and backlit display
- Fixed 0.95 emissivity for consistent readings
- Compact 6.01 x 4.14 x 1.73 inch body
Cons
- Fixed emissivity cannot adjust for varied surfaces
- 10:1 ratio reads a wider spot than the other picks
- Range tops out at 752 F, below the -58 to 1112 F picks
- Warranty description only points to the maker website
Common Infrared Thermometer Uses in the Garage
An infrared thermometer reads the surface temperature of objects and liquids. The KNINE and the DEASOMIYE read -58 to 1112 F.
- Engine and exhaust. Scan the exhaust manifold, radiator hoses and thermostat housing for a cylinder that runs cold.
- Brakes. Read each rotor after a drive. A rotor far hotter than the others points to a caliper that drags.
- Tires. Read tread heat after a drive to spot uneven wear.
- HVAC and electrical. Scan vents for cold spots, and battery terminals and fuse boxes for a connection that runs hot.
- Oven and grill. Read a pizza oven floor or a griddle surface before food goes on.
Compare like with like: read the same spot on each cylinder, each rotor or each tire.
How to Aim for a Good Reading
Hold the thermometer steady, point the laser at the surface, and hold the trigger until the reading settles.
- Mind the spot size. A 16:1 ratio reads a smaller spot from the same distance than a 10:1 ratio. The DEASOMIYE states 14 inches as the distance for best results.
- Set the emissivity. The TempPro and the KNINE let emissivity move from 0.1 to 1.0 for varied surfaces, while the Klein holds a fixed 0.95.
- Give it a moment. The DEASOMIYE and the TempPro answer in 0.5 seconds, so a short, steady hold is enough.
- Read the same spot. Take the reading from the same place each time, so a change in the number means a change in the part, not a change in aim.
What an Infrared Thermometer Cannot Do
An infrared thermometer reads surface temperature only: the DEASOMIYE states that its reading cannot measure internal temperature, and the Klein and the DEASOMIYE both state that their tools are not for people or animals.
The Gear for Infrared Thermometer Uses
Each pick below reads surface heat from a distance, which is what brake, engine and HVAC checks need.
Read the manual before first use, wear eye protection, keep the work area clear and ventilated, and stay within every stated rating. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
Can I use an infrared thermometer on a car engine?
Yes. Point it at the exhaust manifold, the radiator hoses and the thermostat housing to find a cylinder that runs cold or a hose that stays cool.
Can an infrared thermometer check brakes?
Yes. Read each rotor after a drive and compare them. A rotor far hotter than the others points to a caliper that drags, and a rotor that stays cool points to a brake that never bites.
Why do two readings of the same spot differ?
Surface finish changes the reading: a shiny surface and a dull surface at the same heat can read differently. The TempPro and the KNINE let emissivity move from 0.1 to 1.0, while the Klein holds a fixed 0.95.
Can I measure body temperature with an infrared thermometer?
No. The Klein states that it is not intended for use on people or animals, and the DEASOMIYE states the same.
What does the distance-to-spot ratio mean?
The ratio describes how wide a spot the thermometer reads from a given distance. A 16:1 ratio reads a smaller spot than a 10:1 ratio.
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