THERMOMETER CALIBRATION LOG

How to use the Thermometer Calibration Log

There are different types of thermometers in the food industry, but their main objective is to achieve clear, accurate, and precise temperature readings. To do this, calibration must be regularly performed. 

Employees are required to record all gathered temperature and thermometer model on their thermometer calibration log.

Follow these steps to use the thermometer calibration log:

1. Familiarize the calibration log.
2. Download the chart. Enter a valid email address and click on "Download."
3. Print the calibration log. The chart goes straight to your downloads folder. From there feel free to print it, in order to make the filling convenient for food handlers.
4. Start using. Ensure that all calibration log entries are signed by the performing employee. Keep all calibration logs in one folder for easier verification. 

Navigating the Thermometer Calibration Log: Your Ultimate Guide to Thermometer Calibration

Logging thermometer calibration readings helps create accountability and ensures accurate temperature readings in food businesses. 

Any kitchen equipment may need some form of maintenance at some point. This is also the case for food thermometers. This kitchen apparatus is a piece of very common equipment. It is used to measure the temperatures of food and storage temperature.

What is a HACCP thermometer calibration log?

A thermometer calibration log is a document where temperature readings during thermometer calibration are recorded. It also records the corrective action performed to resolve the inaccuracy of the thermometer.

This document serves as proof that your thermometer and product probe are duly calibrated and that it gives accurate readings. Whether for an oven, refrigerator, or dehydrator thermometer calibration, recording the results is important. 

Accurate temperature readings through the correct use of thermometers are important for food safety practices such as cooking and cold storage.

The growth of pathogenic microorganisms depends on the surrounding temperature. Operations such as cooking aim to eliminate these microorganisms and improve the food's characteristics. For low temperatures, the growth of pathogens is controlled and significantly slowed down.

For operations such as these, their effectiveness depends on the accuracy of their temperature reading. Target internal temperatures for cooking particular raw foods are intended to target food safety hazards at a specific temperature change.

Who needs a thermometer calibration log template?

• restaurants,
• food processing plants, 
• food trucks,
• retail stores, and
• institutional establishments (e.g., cafeterias or hospitals).

Generally, if your business operations require to be processed with a controlled temperature, you will need a thermometer calibration log.

Thermometers measure temperature during cooking, refrigeration, hot-holding, and other operations. Accurate temperature reading for these operations can be achieved by regularly calibrating thermometers.

During calibration, actual temperature readings and calibrated thermometer readings must be recorded accordingly.

If you need a refresher, here's how to calibrate a thermometer.

Thermometer calibration log example of why it's important

Keeping a record of your calibration activities is an important food safety operation. Thermometers will require calibration depending on the frequency of use and other instances. Some thermometers are suggested to be calibrated before every start of your daily operations, whereas some periodically. For more sophisticated temperature calibration, thermometers are often sent to service facilities that specialize in calibrating thermometers.

For manual calibration, a thermometer calibration log can offer the following benefits:

1. Prevention of false reading
   • Assurance of accuracy. Calibration ensures the accuracy of readings. An inaccurate thermometer significantly increases the risk of causing foodborne illnesses as the product may be undercooked. Alternatively, if the thermometer is reading way over the correct temperature, the quality of the product may be affected.
   • Diagnose faulty thermometers. During thermometer calibration, you can also assess from the temperature readings if the thermometer requires maintenance or replacement. Records on the thermometer calibration log can show non-compliant readings, which may affect calibration. Use the thermometer calibration log as a supporting document to request a new thermometer.
   • Process optimization. Data gathered from calibration logs can be used to improve or develop food processing and help achieve consistent results.
2. Food safety compliance
   • Ensure food safety. With a properly working thermometer, food safety operations are ensured to be working correctly and are properly executed. This means the product you are processing in your kitchen is free from food safety risks. It also ensures that food safety standards are followed.
   • Regulatory compliance. A thermometer calibration log will be used to record all calibration processes. Additionally, the corrective action, which is the calibration process, must also be recorded. The calibration process must be done at least three times to ensure that the thermometer is properly calibrated. A thermometer calibration log is an integral part of your food safety management system documentation, especially for audits and inspections.
3. Data integrity
   • Promote accountability. Keeping a calibration log demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and accountability among employees. Proof of calibration shows that measurements are taken seriously and steps are taken to ensure accuracy.
   • Ensure data integrity. With a comprehensive thermometer calibration log, you can ensure that temperature measurements can be used for data analysis and produce reliable assessments for decision-making.

A thermometer calibration log is more than just a monitoring document. The information that food handlers input on the log can help ensure food safety in your food business and it's helped by taking proper care of thermometers.

What data do you need to record in a thermometer calibration log?

A thermometer calibration log sheet must contain other important information in addition to the temperature readings during calibration. The information will help food handlers identify when or why the thermometer was calibrated. 

In calibrating thermometers, it's important to log the model or assigned number to identify the correct thermometer. Different thermometers are used to measure temperature for specific operations.

This would help employees identify which thermometer is faulty. Additionally, the corrective action refers to the process of realigning the temperature readings to a reference temperature. A thermometer calibration log does not have to be a complicated document.

In fact, you can use our free thermometer calibration log template.

This log document is only one of our many food safety templates. At FoodDocs, we offer several checklists, posters, and consumer advisory templates that you can use in your food business. You can easily download and print them for your convenience. Check out our Food Safety Templates Hub for more free resources.

When do you need to use a thermometer calibration log?

There are other instances when a thermometer requires calibration other than regular maintenance. In any event, food handlers can use the thermometer calibration log to record previous calibration processes.

Use the thermometer calibration log for the following operations:

1. Regular maintenance. A food temperature probe thermometer requires regular calibration to ensure accuracy. The process must be done every shift change or when the thermometer hasn't been used for a while. A calibration log ensures that calibration checks are performed on schedule.
2. New instrument setup. When a food business acquires a new thermometer, manufacturers always suggest a routine calibration to ensure the instrument is not faulty. 
3. After repairs or adjustments. In case a thermometer was recently repaired, it must be calibrated to ensure it is functioning well. A log would help record when the calibration was done and determine the necessary intervals for the next calibration.
4. Critical applications. In case of accidents, such as if the thermometer accidentally fell, the instrument must undergo routine calibration. On the log, the reason for probe thermometer calibration must be recorded as well.
5. Long-term monitoring. If a thermometer is used non-stop during production, its accuracy must be determined at some point. The thermometer must be calibrated to retain its accuracy.
6. Inspection. In a routine inspection, thermometers may be required to undergo calibration as a test. The readings and purpose of calibration must be recorded accordingly. 

Calibration is an integral aspect of food safety assurance. It is a critical task that must be consistently observed to ensure that temperature-related operations are done accurately.

How to ensure accurate thermometer calibration with FoodDocs

The importance of thermometer calibration cannot be understated. This operation is a vital action for food safety.

You can ensure accurate and consistent thermometer calibration process readings with the help of FoodDocs' digital Food Safety Management System.

With our digital food safety management system, you can always stay on top of your daily food safety operations. 

Use the following features:

FoodDocs has a thermometer calibration log example for ensuring accurate temperatures consistently

Get a digital Thermometer Calibration Log that you can use to record calibration readings digitally through your mobile device.

Access this digital log through any mobile device using our Food Safety App. In case of non-compliance, our system can automatically suggest clear instructions on how to calibrate thermometers properly.

Detailed instructions to ensure proper calibration

Calibration requires precision and accuracy of the process to become effective. To help food handlers perform proper calibration, our digital Thermometer Calibration Logs are equipped with step-by-step instructions for both Boiling Point and Freezing point methods.

In addition, you can upload your versions of the thermometer calibration program as an image or a video to improve the calibration process. For quality managers in food businesses, it is a priority task to ensure that all food handlers know how to calibrate a thermometer by providing a clear guide.

Smart notification system to remind food handlers about calibration

To help food handlers maintain a consistent calibration schedule, use our system's smart notification feature. This feature can alert food handlers to remind them when to calibrate the thermometer.

This system can also be used to remind food handlers about other time-sensitive operations. Ensure that no food safety task is forgotten with our notification system. 

Real-time overview to help supervise the team remotely

Get a real-time overview of your entire food safety operations across your business branches with our real-time dashboard. Using this feature, you can immediately see areas where thermometer calibrations may be required.

The system will show you non-compliant temperature-related monitoring tasks. Such information can help you immediately address the situation and request a thermometer calibration.

Save at least 20% of your time from managing your food safety operations using the real-time food safety dashboard that you will also get.

Customizable system to fit unique operations

FoodDocs understands how every food business can have unique operations. As such, we made our smart Food Safety Management System 100% customizable.

Customize our temperature logs to fit different kinds of thermometers, such as meat, digital, or probe thermometers.

Customize and improve the digital FSMS based on your needs. You can input any unique operations into your food business, and our system will generate the digital monitoring forms.

With our digital FSMS, compliance with food safety standards can be easily maintained. Monitor multiple thermometer calibration logs, on top of other operations, with ease using our digital FSMS.

You can rest easy knowing that calibration is never forgotten and is always properly recorded with our system features to keep your operations food safety compliant. With our help at FoodDocs, you can significantly cut on the manual work while ensuring that no one forgets to do any food safety task.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)