Would you believe - another thermometer?

For the past year or so, we have been carrying around a pocket-sized electronic thermometer that didn't exactly seem to fit our needs until we started working with it in earnest. We favored our infrared and good old bimetal probe thermometers for the bulk of our temperature measurements. Yet the Waterproof Digital Probe Thermometer, by DeltaTRAK[R], has as many features as one of those don't-leave-home-without-it survival supertools, and it probably offers a greater breadth of use than any other implement in a sanitarian's tool kit. We really didn't fully appreciate it until we finally put it through its paces and became comfortable with its many features.

This uniquely designed electronic pocket thermometer has a multitude of applications. From the top down, the features are myriad:

* The top of the thermometer is slotted so it can be hung from an overhead object. This feature makes the thermometer ideal for measuring the temperature of ventilation air coming through a ceiling diffuser. A large straightened paper clip serves well as a hanger. Better yet, a wire Christmas ornament hanger is just the right size.

* The controls and display are on the same side of the unit. The three control buttons and the display window, which has black numerals on a light-gray field, are molded into a monolithic cover that resists moisture. The On/Off and [degrees] C/[degrees]F buttons are located to the right of the display, and a Hold button is located to the left. At first, the buttons are not as easy to operate as the controls on the Lollypop thermometer, but with a little practice, one becomes accustomed to their relative positions and to the push pressure needed to activate them.

* The Hold button makes this thermometer well worth the price tag of approximately $34. Unlike dial thermometers, the Digital Probe Thermometer may be hard to read under poor light conditions or when the line of sight to the front of the unit is blocked or obstructed. Once the thermometer has stabilized, the Hold button can be pushed to freeze the temperature until the display can be conveniently read. Pressing the button a second time releases the temperature. This feature is most useful for measuring the internal temperature of cooked meat and poultry.

* The back of the unit features a comfortable, 1/2-inch-wide pocket clip. The clip is slotted so the thermometer can be wall-mounted with a 1/16-inch screw. The screw slot also provides access to the adjustment pot, allowing field calibration against a reference thermometer that has been certified by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). The unit is factory calibrated, however, and we found that it required no adjustment, even after it was subjected to various temperature extremes.

* The battery access cover is just above the pocket clip and is slotted for easy removal with a dime. The LR44 Toshiba 1.5-volt button-type battery is easily changed and lasts a remarkably long time. Also, the unit features a 10-minute auto shutoff that saves battery life.

We found the slim design of the unit and its 3.5-inch stainless steel probe ideal for measuring the internal temperature of cooked hamburger patties. Now, here's the good part: Since the thermometer is electronic, the probe does not have to he inserted to a given depth as do bimetal dial-type thermometers. This is a great convenience when measuring the surface temperature of frozen foods.

The snap-on probe cover has multiple uses. First, it snaps onto the slotted top of the thermometer to allow comfortable purchase on a firm-grip handle when the probe is used in hot foods. Second, the cover has two vertical slots that hold the probe tightly in almost any desired position. This feature is actually handier than the pocket clip on the bimetal dial thermometer. Third, the probe cover comes with a magnet, and the thermometer can be attached to any metallic surface that contains iron. The slots in the cover also serve to expose the probe (but not the sharp point) when the cover is in place. This feature complements the magnet when the thermometer is used to measure temperatures inside HVAC system ducts, freezers, refrigerators, and ice machines.

Finally, because the unit is waterproof, it is easily cleaned with detergent and water. The entire thermometer can be sanitized by being dipped in a properly diluted sanitizing solution. We tested our unit by repeatedly immersing it in a bleach solution without harming the case or compromising operation or accuracy.

A word of caution is in order, however. This thermometer, with all its features, is no more rugged than any dial-type thermometer. Never leave the unit in an oven or other heating appliance; excessive heat will damage the electronics. Do not immerse the unit for prolonged periods or use it under excessive pressure. Although this thermometer is called "waterproof," it is intended to function primarily as a water-resistant device, and its construction has limitations. If not abused, the unit will provide exceptional service.

The overall length is approximately 7 inches, and the thermometer is about 3/4 inch square. It complies with Section 4-203 of the Food Code: Accuracy is within [+ or -] 2 [degrees] F ([+ or -] 1 [degrees] C) for a temperature range of -20 [degrees] F to -165 [degrees] F (-29 [degrees] C to -74 [degrees] C), making this thermometer a good tool for HACCP evaluations. Temperatures from -40 [degrees] F to -302 [degrees] F (- [degrees] 0 to [approximately] 150 [degrees] C) can be measured, with 0.1 [degrees] resolution and a response time of 1 second. The Waterproof Digital Probe Thermometer is readily available through catalogs and other sources, including Ecolab, Inc.

For more information, contact DeltaTRAK at P.O. Box 398, Pleasanton, CA 94566, telephone [phone], or visit their web site at <http://www.deltatrak.com>.