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When you’re serving up delicious meals to your customers, you need to make sure it’s safe to eat. A key part of this is regularly checking temperatures when food is being cooked, prepared, frozen and reheated. Seems pretty obvious, right? But all of this relies on having accurate equipment, because an error of even a few degrees could cause problems.
We know it’s not the most exciting topic, but when thermometers aren’t maintained regularly, it can lead to inaccurate readings; this can have a big impact on not only the quality, but also the safety of your food. That’s where probe calibration comes into play.
Let’s be honest, you aren’t reading this article because you’re fascinated with the nitty gritty of probe calibration. You’re here because you know it’s important and you want to do it properly. It’s one of those tasks that often gets pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, but without it, you risk putting the safety of your customers and your business reputation at risk.
At Trail, we help businesses to keep on top of those regular tasks that have to be done so that they can stay compliant (even the less fun ones). Our work management software is specially designed for the hospitality industry to give you all the tools you need to maintain operational efficiency across your business.
In this article, we’ll be taking you through our top tips for implementing an effective probe calibration routine.
In simple terms, probe calibration is an important process within food safety management. It makes sure your temperature probe is in full working order and gives accurate readings every time.
There’s no one-size-fits-all method for probe calibration; how often it should be carried out will depend primarily on the type of thermometer you use, and how regularly it’s used. For instance, if your venue is home to a large commercial kitchen, it's imperative to calibrate probe thermometers frequently, including at the start of each shift, if they’re dropped, and after a long storage time.
So we know what probe calibration is, but why is it so important to your business? Without calibration, temperature readings can slowly decrease in accuracy over time. Factors such as general wear and tear, environmental conditions, and human error can all lead to inaccurate measurements, which can have disastrous consequences for your business.
Venues who don’t carry out regular probe calibration can face a number of challenges, including:
A decrease in accuracy: Serving food that’s only a couple of degrees out can make it unsafe to eat, so having a temperature probe that gives accurate readings is a must for any venue serving food. Equipment that isn’t calibrated correctly, or at all, can risk food being stored or served at dangerous temperatures. This can lead to bacterial growth or foodborne illness.
Compliance issues: In the UK, The Consumer Protection Act 1987 states that you must sell products free from bacteria that risks causing food poisoning. To make sure you stay compliant, you need to ensure equipment is measuring accurately, as improper temperature control could result in a negligence claim or hefty fines.
A damaged reputation: We know that bad news tends to circulate faster than good news, and it doesn’t take long to damage a reputation that may have taken you years to build. With an effective calibration programme, you can take a more preventative approach and fix issues before they become a problem.
Inefficiencies in operations: Reducing inefficiencies across operations is a common focus for many hospitality brands, but often this focus can be placed primarily on staff and processes; it can be easy to overlook how equipment malfunctions can impact efficiency. If equipment isn't working as it should, it will slow daily operations down, and this includes temperature probes.
The bottom line is, probe calibration is a key part of your food safety operations, so it's important to implement an accurate, effective process to help you manage it. Having a clear process in place means that this vital task will be done regularly and consistently, giving you and your customers peace of mind. But how can we make this happen? And if you already have a process in place, is it working as it should? Maybe you’re getting overwhelmed with piles of paper, or staff aren’t clear on when calibrations need to be carried out or what steps to take.
With this in mind, let’s take a walk through a foolproof process that will make sure your probe calibration is happening as it should.
Preparation is vital before attempting to calibrate a thermometer accurately, so make sure you have all necessary tools to hand, and a clean environment with minimal temperature fluctuations before you start.
As well as the probe that needs to be calibrated, you’ll also need a stable temperature source and a previously calibrated thermometer to refer to. Also, if you don’t have one already, consider preparing a probe calibration sheet or a logbook before beginning the process. This is useful not only for documentation, but also to keep staff in the loop of how frequently you’re carrying out calibrations.
If probes are contaminated or damaged, they won’t provide accurate readings, so make sure you inspect for any damage or contamination before you start the process.
Once this is done, place the probe into the temperature source, making sure it's immersed fully. Wait until both the probe and the already calibrated reference thermometer stabilise, which might take several minutes.
Once stabilised, take readings from both the probe and the reference thermometer. To make sure readings are completely accurate across the board, consider taking them at different temperature points. Then, record the readings from both the probe and the reference thermometer on your calibration sheet.
At this stage, the key is to compare and identify any discrepancies between the probe and the reference thermometer. This allows you to adjust the probe to make sure the readings match up. Then, you can repeat step two and verify this adjustment.
Once verified, take additional readings to confirm the probe is completely accurate after adjustments. Make sure you record all adjustments made during calibration, plus the final readings. This will make sure you have a complete record of the process, which can be beneficial for staff members and new hires when they’re learning how to calibrate probes accurately.
Using a Probe Calibration Sheet to document readings and frequency of checks is a smart move, especially when it comes to keeping things organised and maintaining accurate records.
Documenting the process is crucial; it helps you track any discrepancies or adjustments you’ve made, which is important if you want to maintain consistency and quality in the long term. Plus, it’s always useful to have a record to refer back to if any issues arise further down the line.
Typically, a Probe Calibration Sheet will include fields where you can document:
All of this information provides you and your staff with a clear picture of the probe's accuracy, and helps to keep operations streamlined.
But let’s be honest, filling out these sheets manually can be a bit of a hassle, and that’s where Trail comes in. We’ve taken this whole process digital, offering it as a convenient checklist within our app. Not only does this streamline the whole process, but it also keeps everything in one place, where it’s easy to access and review whenever you need it.
If you’re curious to see how it all works, you can check out how we make weekly probe calibration easier here.
In this article, we’ve explored why probe calibration is imperative for maintaining accuracy and consistency in your operations. We’ve walked through our foolproof step-by-step process, and highlighted the key elements you might want to focus on. It’s important to note that proper documentation of this process can make all the difference, which is why technology like Trail, can simplify and enhance this side of things.
When it comes to effective probe calibration, consistency, and careful planning are essential. Setting up a robust calibration routine not only helps you stay compliant with regulations but also improves the quality of your service and boosts overall efficiency.
By following a clear, documented process and utilising digital tools, you can ensure that your probes are always accurate and reliable. Trail’s app can make regular probe calibration easier; with access to faster record keeping, corrective actions, and a digital log, you’re better able to eliminate inconsistencies and keep your customers safe.
Adopting specialised software for probe calibration can be a smart choice for any operator committed to maintaining high standards and operational excellence. If you'd like to find out more about what Trail’s app can do to streamline operations in your venue, get in touch.
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