testo 105 Professional Food Thermometer Kit
| Brand | testo |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | 0563 1052 |
| Temperature Range | -50 to +275 °C |
| Accuracy | ±0.5 °C (-20 to +100 °C), ±1.0 °C (-50 to -20.1 °C), ±1% of reading (+100.1 to +275 °C) |
| Resolution | 0.1 °C |
| Operating Ambient Temperature | -20 to +50 °C |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Display | Backlit LCD (single-line) |
| Power Supply | LR44 button cell battery (80 h typical life) |
| Dimensions (with standard probe) | 148 × 38 × 195 mm |
| Weight (instrument only, standard probe) | 156 g |
| Response Time t₉₉ | 10 s (standard/long probe in liquid), 15 s (frozen goods probe in frozen meat ≈ 60 s) |
| Compliance | EN 13485, HACCP principles, FDA food safety guidelines |
Overview
The testo 105 Professional Food Thermometer Kit is a handheld, NTC-based digital temperature measurement system engineered for precision, hygiene, and operational reliability in regulated food handling environments. It operates on the principle of resistance thermometry—measuring changes in electrical resistance of a high-stability NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) sensor element as a function of temperature—enabling fast, repeatable, and traceable readings across a wide thermal span. Designed specifically for core temperature verification in perishable food matrices—including raw meat, dairy products, gelatinous preparations, frozen goods, and liquids—the instrument meets the fundamental metrological and sanitary requirements of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems. Its robust ABS housing, IP65-rated ingress protection, and full wash-down capability ensure compliance with food-grade sanitation protocols without compromising measurement integrity.
Key Features
- Triple-probe configuration: Includes standard penetration probe (for ambient-temperature foods), frozen-food probe (optimized for low-thermal-conductivity matrices), and extended 200 mm probe (for deep-tank or bulk liquid measurements)
- Two user-definable alarm thresholds with simultaneous visual (LED indicator) and audible (buzzer) alerts upon limit breach—critical for real-time process control during receiving, cooking, holding, and cooling stages
- Ergonomic single-hand operation with tactile buttons, integrated support clip, and wall-mountable bracket for hands-free use in production lines or inspection stations
- Backlit LCD display with 0.1 °C resolution ensures legibility under low-light conditions (e.g., walk-in chillers, early-morning receiving docks)
- Auto power-off after 10 minutes conserves battery life; powered by a replaceable LR44 coin cell with up to 80 hours of continuous operation
- Full compliance with EN 13485 for food safety instrumentation and alignment with FDA Food Code §3-201.11 and ISO 22000 traceability expectations
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The testo 105 is validated for direct contact measurement in semi-solid, viscous, frozen, and liquid foodstuffs per internationally recognized validation methodologies. Its probe geometries are calibrated for thermal equilibration in heterogeneous media—e.g., the frozen-food probe features a tapered stainless-steel tip with reduced thermal mass to minimize surface cooling artifacts during insertion into frozen poultry or fish fillets. All probes meet EC Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 hygiene requirements and are compatible with routine cleaning agents used in commercial kitchens and processing facilities. The instrument’s IP65 rating certifies dust-tightness and resistance to low-pressure water jets from any direction—supporting daily sanitization under running potable water per NSF/ANSI Standard 18. The device is not intended for sterilization via autoclaving or chemical immersion beyond manufacturer-specified limits.
Software & Data Management
While the testo 105 operates as a standalone, non-data-logging instrument, its design supports integration into broader food safety management systems. Measurement values are displayed in real time with no internal storage—ensuring data integrity through operator-initiated recording, thereby satisfying GLP-aligned documentation practices where manual entry into batch logs or electronic quality records is required. The configurable alarm limits align with critical control point (CCP) definitions under HACCP plans, enabling auditable verification of temperature compliance at defined process steps. For facilities requiring electronic record retention, the testo 105 may be paired with external testo Smart Probes or connected via optional Bluetooth-enabled accessories (e.g., testo 115i) for cloud-synced logging compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail requirements.
Applications
- Receiving inspection: Verification of incoming chilled/frozen shipments against temperature abuse thresholds
- Cooking & hot-holding: Validation of minimum internal temperatures per USDA FSIS and EU Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005
- Cooling validation: Monitoring time–temperature profiles during controlled chilling of cooked foods
- Storage monitoring: Spot-checking core temperatures in refrigerated display units, blast chillers, and cold rooms
- Quality assurance audits: Supporting internal and third-party GMP, BRCGS, and IFS Food audits through documented temperature checks
- Training & education: Used in culinary schools and food handler certification programs to demonstrate proper probe placement and dwell time
FAQ
What is the recommended calibration frequency for the testo 105 in a regulated food facility?
Calibration should be performed before each shift or prior to first use, verified using a certified reference source such as an ice-point bath (0.0 °C) or stirred liquid bath traceable to NIST standards. Full recalibration by an accredited laboratory is advised annually or after physical damage.
Can the testo 105 be used for surface temperature measurement?
No—it is designed exclusively for penetration (core) temperature measurement. Surface readings require dedicated infrared or contact-surface probes.
Is the instrument suitable for measuring temperatures in vacuum-packed foods?
Yes, provided the probe is fully inserted into the product matrix; however, dwell time must be extended by ≥50% to account for reduced convective heat transfer in sealed packaging.
Does the testo 105 meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements?
As a non-networked, non-auditable device with no electronic data storage, it does not fall under Part 11 scope—but its outputs support Part 11-compliant workflows when manually transcribed into validated electronic quality management systems.
How is traceability maintained across probe interchangeability?
Each probe type carries individual factory calibration data; users must document probe identity alongside each measurement in logbooks or digital systems to preserve metrological traceability per ISO/IEC 17025 principles.
