Giggy, you are doing it again. You are kind of hi-jacking threads as you are posting the same question in multiple threads. Be patient!!!! Be patient!!!! Don't expect a response at 2 in the morning everytime. Then you even asked one member to answer your question and they haven't been on in months.

Using the search feature or reading some posts would have given you the answer about beeping thermometers and temperature strips. First use a little common sense. Do you think they actually dip a thermometer into each sample or do they have something on the outside of the cup to keep possibility of contamination down to nothing? Would it make sense to dip a thermometer into each sample, expect the collector to clean it so that the next sample isn't contaminted by a possibly previous dirty sample? How many people would try to use this as an excuse for a positive. Do you think they use those expensive infra red thermometers that you can point at something and get a temp? Do you think they don't check the temp at all. Just some thoughts.

As far as "investing in a thermometer" that means to use to practice before you go in to the test. I don't even use one anymore but if you are new to it, you do trial runs at home till you perfect the place to secure the container and how to secure it and you use the thermometer to check your results. Some people take them in with them but this is very rare and useless. You only have 4 minutes in the bathroom so what good is it going to do you to know before you pour it in the cup that you are hot or cold? Stick it in the microwave? Throw it in the freezer? Oh, wait you're in a bathroom LOL !!!! I know killerweed said they used one but why? The strip is what they are going to go by so why use a different measuring device? Those strips are pretty accurate anyway.

The strip will change as the temperature changes.

Calm down and just practice at home with trial runs. You will be surprised at how much body heat you give off and you don't have to play mad professor with paper towels and toe warmers. Practice makes perfect and gives you confidence too. Now quit posting and go PRACTICE!!! :thumbsup: