When measuring shiny surfaces, such as aluminum and stainless steel, the reflectivity of the surface will skew the reading of an IR thermometer unless you accommodate for it. Either coat surfaces such as griddles or cooking pans with a non-stick cooking spray before you take your reading, or place a small piece of masking tape on the metal surface and measure the taped area.

An IR thermometer can go from kitchen to cold storage (above freezing) and still provide an accurate reading if given time to acclimate to the new ambient temperature. It's best to leave the unit where it will be used most often. Note: If the unit is left in an environment below freezing, it will temporarily fail to operate properly.

Use an IR thermometer to read internal temperatures of liquids, such as soups or sauces, simply by stirring the liquid and then reading the surface temperature. Keep the thermometer away from steam to avoid condensation on the lens, which will skew your reading.