Made of stainless steel, these probes measure the temperature of liquids and gases without corroding. They’re also safe to use with solids, such as molds and dies, because the stainless steel acts as a shield if they’re hit or bumped. If space is tight, bend them up to 90°. They have a protective layer of magnesium oxide to keep the wiring inside the probe from kinking when they’re bent. Pick the thermocouple type that best covers the temperature range you expect your liquid, gas, or solid to be. You should also make sure the thermocouple type you choose is compatible with the device you plan to connect it to. They’re often used with temperature controllers, thermometers, and other temperature-reading devices.

These thermocouples are manufactured to conform to ASTM E230 for accuracy. Accuracy is how far off the reported value is from the actual temperature.