TempPro TP420 TempScan 2-in-1 Infrared Thermometer with Meat Probe

When a griddle is heating up and dinner needs an internal temperature check, the TempPro TP420 TempScan combines a non-contact infrared scanner with a fold-out meat probe. The infrared function reads surface temperatures, the probe checks inside food and other items. That gives you two different kinds of readings in one tool for cooking and selected household tasks.

The infrared sensor has a 12:1 distance-to-spot ratio and adjustable emissivity. The probe is designed for quick readings, with the listed accuracy depending on the temperature range. It runs on two AAA batteries, which are included.

Quick overview

This is a dual-purpose thermometer, not just an instant-read meat thermometer. Use the infrared sensor to check a griddle, pizza stone, or oven surface without touching it. For steak, poultry, liquids, or frying oil, use the probe to measure internal temperature instead. The distinction matters: an infrared scan measures a surface, not the center of food.

The probe’s stated measurement range is -58°F to 572°F, with accuracy of ±1.8°F from 32°F to 212°F and ±2% outside that interval. The infrared range is -58°F to 1022°F, with stated accuracy of ±3°F from 14°F to 212°F and ±2% outside that interval. The display includes MAX, MIN, and AVG readings from the last scan, and the temperature unit can switch between °F and °C.

Best use cases

This setup makes sense for cooks who move between surface checks and internal food temperatures. A practical example is scanning a griddle before cooking, then using the probe to check meat as it cooks. It can also be used for surface checks around HVAC vents or automotive work, as described by the manufacturer, those uses rely on the infrared function rather than the food probe.

Compared with buying a single-purpose probe thermometer, this model adds non-contact surface scanning. If you only need internal food readings, a simpler probe-only tool may be all you need. Worth considering if both functions would be useful in your cooking routine.

Everyday use

The probe takes a reading in a stated 2–3 seconds. Opening or closing the probe wakes or puts the device to sleep, and an auto-off feature is listed to conserve battery power. A backlit digital display, low-battery indicator, built-in magnet, and hanging hole offer practical ways to read and store it. The package includes the thermometer, a manual, and two AAA batteries.

Buyer feedback often highlights ease of use and the convenience of checking both griddle surfaces and food with one device. Views on the magnetic back are mixed: some appreciate it, while others find it less secure than expected. Durability is a more substantial concern in reported feedback, particularly cracking plastic around the probe holder. That makes careful handling worth keeping in mind rather than assuming the folding mechanism will withstand rough use.

Before you decide

Can it measure body temperature? No. The manufacturer specifically says it is not designed for human body temperature measurements and should not be used as a medical thermometer.

Which function should I use for meat? Use the probe for internal temperature. The infrared sensor reads the outside surface, so it does not replace an internal check.

Can it check very hot cooking surfaces? The listed infrared range extends to 1022°F, and the 12:1 distance-to-spot ratio supports scanning surfaces from a distance. The reading is for the target surface, not the air around it.

Buying verdict

The TP420 is a practical fit if you want one instrument for both cooking-surface scans and internal temperature checks, especially around a grill or griddle. Its extra infrared function is less compelling if you only need a meat probe, and buyer reports about the probe holder’s durability deserve consideration if the tool will see frequent or rough handling. You may want to skip it if you need a thermometer for people, it is explicitly not intended for that use.