The most common error in an electronic temperature sensor is a shift in the base electrical value which can be seen in an ice bath test. While it is true that the most definitive test of a thermometer's calibration follows at least a 3-point method, the use of a properly made ice bath is a widely used test in the food industries and is recommended by the USDA and other agencies. ThermoWorks maintains a fully operational NIST-Traceable lab that can provide Certificates of Calibration at multiple points traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (contact us at or ask for the calibration lab at 1-80 or 80). Many organizations, including corporations, require lab calibration of thermometers for professional use. Again, the answer depends upon the requirements of the presiding health department or quality control agency.
