Temperature Probe Buying Guide

Temperature Probes & Sensors for Every Application

Get accurate readings from your thermometers with UK-made, calibrated probes tailored to your specific industry and application. Thermocouple, thermistor, and RTD models available, with a wide range of probe styles, including immersion, surface, and air.

T Shaped Air or Gas Probe - coiled lead

Sensor Types and Options

Each sensor type offers different strengths depending on your application, environment, and accuracy requirements.

Griddle Probe With 1m Armoured Lead

Quick Probe Guide

Thermocouple — Best for wide temperature ranges and fast responses.
Thermistor — Best for food safety and high accuracy at lower temperatures.
RTD / PT100 — Best for ultra-precise, stable measurements.

Thermocouple Probes

Fast, versatile, and built for extreme temperatures.

Best for: industrial processes, high temperatures, fast measurements.

● Rapid response (typically under 2-3 seconds)
● Wide temperature range for demanding environments (as low as -100 °C and as high as 1200 °C)
● Type K and T connector options
● Probe types: immersion, surface, and air
● Lead options: coiled, straight, and heavy-duty
● Specialist designs for pipes, tyres, large vessels, and more

Shop Thermocouple Probes
Weighted Griddle Surface Probe
NTC Thermistor Waterproof Temperature Probe with Lumberg Connector

Thermistor Probes

High accuracy for food safety and everyday precision.


Best for: food production, kitchens, and temperature-critical checks.

● High accuracy (up to ±0.2 °C)
● Probe types: immersion and air
● Options include: colour-coded, between-pack, and slower response models

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RTD / PT100 Probes

Ultra-precise measurement for critical applications.

Best for: calibration, laboratories, and medical environments.

● Very high accuracy (up to ±0.03 °C)
● Stable and repeatable readings over time
● Probe types: immersion and air
● Between-pack options available

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PT100 - RTD Penetration Probe

Not Sure Which Sensor You Need?

Our sensor guide explains the differences in detail and helps you choose with confidence.

Probe Sensor Guide

Tips for Choosing a Probe

Choosing the right probe depends on your application, environment, and accuracy requirements. Here’s what to consider:

Purpose

What are you measuring—liquids, semi-solids, air, gases, or surface temperatures? The application will determine the probe type you need.

Temperature Range

Identify the minimum and maximum temperatures you’ll be measuring to ensure your probe can perform reliably across the full range.

Accuracy Requirements

How precise do your measurements need to be? Remember, an instrument with ±0.4 °C accuracy and a probe with ±0.3 °C accuracy can result in a total potential variance of up to ±0.7 °C.

Response Time

Do you need speed or precision? Fast response probes (under 3 seconds) are ideal for busy environments like kitchens, while slower probes may offer greater stability for detailed measurements.

Specialised Designs

Some applications require more tailored solutions. From clamp probes for pipes to between-pack probes for chilled goods, specialised designs can improve accuracy and consistency.

Environment

Consider where the probe will be used. High-temperature environments may require heat-resistant leads, while wet or washdown areas call for waterproof designs.

Shop by Application

Find the right probe based on how and where you use it. Different environments demand different performance, accuracy, and durability.

Pipe Clamp Temperature Probe - HVAC Probe - straight lead

Industrial Probes

  • Immersion probes — For checking liquids and semi-solids such as water or asphalt.
  • Surface probes — Precise surface temperatures, with high-temperature options available.
  • Pipe probes — Specifically designed for accurate pipe measurements.
  • Wire probes — For hard-to-reach areas such as insulated pipes.
  • Waterproof probes — Ideal for legionella risk assessments and tough environments.
Shop All Industrial Probes

Catering Probes

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Therma 20 Thermistor Food Thermometer
Therma K Metal Thermometer

Food Processing Probes

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Trusted by Professionals Worldwide

Our probes are designed, tested, and trusted for critical applications across industry, food production, and science.

Built for Accuracy & Reliability

Every probe is engineered for consistent, dependable performance for precise results day after day.

Industry-Proven Quality

Used across food safety, manufacturing, HVAC, laboratories, and calibration environments where accuracy is essential.

UK Temperature Experts

Our probes are designed and made in the UK, with decades of experience going into every product we develop.

Durability You Can Rely On

Each probe is built with robust materials and tested to ensure long-term performance in demanding environments.

Support When You Need It

Our team is here to help you choose the right probe and get the most from your temperature measurement setup.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a thermocouple, thermistor, and RTD probe?

Thermocouples offer the widest temperature range and fastest response. Thermistors provide excellent accuracy for food and everyday applications. RTD/PT100 probes deliver the highest accuracy and long-term stability for laboratory, calibration, and critical process measurements.

Can I use the same probe for different applications?

Some probes are versatile enough for multiple uses, but specialist probes often provide more accurate and reliable results. For example, a surface probe is better suited to measuring hot plates than a standard immersion probe.

What probe do I need for food temperature measurements?

For food safety checks, penetration or immersion probes are the most common choice. Thermistor probes are particularly popular because of their high accuracy in food temperature ranges.

What is an immersion probe used for?

Immersion probes are designed to measure the temperature of liquids, semi-solids, and soft materials. They are commonly used in catering, food production, laboratories, and industrial applications.

What is a surface probe used for?

Surface probes measure the temperature of flat or curved surfaces such as grills, hot plates, pipes, machinery, and production equipment.

How often should temperature probes be calibrated?

Calibration frequency depends on your industry, quality requirements, and how often the probe is used. Many food, laboratory, and industrial environments calibrate probes annually or according to their quality management procedures.

Learn more about temperature calibration.

How to clean a temperature probe?

Use probe wipes to clean the probe after each food measurement to help prevent cross-contamination, ensuring both the handle and cable are wiped.Other food-safe cleaning solutions may also be used with paper towels instead of probe wipes.

How to avoid damaging a temperature probe?

Temperature probes are precision instruments with a sensitive sensor located at the tip. With correct use, they will provide long-lasting and accurate performance.

To help prevent damage:

Use the probe correctly

  • Insert carefully into food rather than stabbing
  • Avoid striking bones or other hard objects
  • Do not use the probe to lift heavy food, or to pry or puncture items
  • For frozen foods, create a hole first rather than forcing the probe tip in

Protect the probe tip and shaft

  • Do not bend the probe shaft or tip
    Avoid exposure to flames or temperatures beyond the probe’s rated limit

Protect the cable and handle

  • Do not lift the instrument by the probe or cable
  • Avoid tight coiling, stretching, crimping or excessive strain on the cable
  • Prevent overheating that could damage the cable
  • Do not expose the handle to high temperatures

General care

  • Keep connectors and instruments clean and dry
  • Avoid bending connector pins when plugging in
  • Do not immerse the probe handle in liquid unless it is rated waterproof

Damage caused by misuse is not covered by warranty.