FoodBanter.com - View Single Post - how can I use my instant read thermometer to measure roomtemperature?

David Scheidt

wrote:
:On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:01:23 -0800 (PST), Joe >
:wrote:

:>sorry to post off topic here but I'm experimenting on how I can make
:>my instant read thermometer a multipurpose tool and I'd like to know
:>if there is any substance that I can poke my thermometer in to gauge a
:>rooms temperature. Water seems to get a little colder than the room
:>temp as does the open air. does anyone know a substance that maintains
:>the room temp?

:Huh?
:If the temperature of the air in a room isn't the 'room temperature',
:what is it?

For measuring the temperature of things like walk in coolers, it's common
to put a thermometer in a container of water. The air temperature
will vary a lot. Open the door, and the air temperature goes up,
dramatically. When the blower comes on, the air temperature shoots down;
if the thermometer happens to be under a vent, it'll be much lower than
the temperature you're interested in, which is the temperature of things
stored in the cooler.

For humans, comfort in a room isn't entirely -- or even largely --
about air temperature. A very big factor is heat loss through the skin
by radiation. So the temperature of walls and windows matters a lot,
because that's what you're radiating heat to. (It's also why even light
weight long sleeves make you feel much warmer than heavy short sleeve
shirts. It's also one of the reasons people complain hot air heat
isn't as warm as radiators.) So, in that sense, room temperature is
misleading.