Homebrewers Association | AHA Forum
General Category => Equipment and Software => Topic started by: euge on February 02, 2012, 08:46:40 am
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After three years of constant use my trusty old pen didn't work when I swung it open. :'( This pen has seen brewing, BBQ and cooking on almost a daily basis and has never failed me. Hell I even take my temp (orally) with it from time to time and recorded a 105.4 fever when I had the flu.
Thought it's time had come but a couple new 2032 batteries and the thing works like it arrived yesterday. ;D
What's your experience with this pen, those that have one?
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Hell I even take my temp (orally)
Whew, glad you clarified that. Those probes are sharp ::)
What's your experience with this pen, those that have one?
Mine has been great but lately it has been a little slow to come on when opened. It's a little over two years old. Glad to hear all it took were some new batteries to get it back into shape. I use it constantly for brewing, cooking, and grilling.
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Mine is great. Works as well on the grill and in the smoker as in the brewhouse.
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I haven't had mine for long (got it thanks to this board), but I love it so far!
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love mine. i had to send it in to be re-calibrated once after using it in super super cold water and they fixed it and put new batteries in it. $10. can't really go wrong with a thremapen or two. i should really get a second.
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Really like ours. It is not a year old yet.
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love mine. i had to send it in to be re-calibrated once after using it in super super cold water and they fixed it and put new batteries in it. $10. can't really go wrong with a thremapen or two. i should really get a second.
I picked up a second one when they had a sale on brown ones awhile back. Guess it's not a popular color. So far I've just used it to make sure the primary one is calibrated.
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Mine is about two years old and seeing signs that I should replace the battery. I rarely use it for homebrewing anymore, but it's great for cooking. I recommend them to everyone.
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Have it...love it...would not have it any other way.
It is fast and easy to use. I trust the measurements. It's pretty durable and easy to clean. I want another one to keep in my cellar. :)
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Ahh so some of you have got more than one! I get emails from the Thermapen people about once week. How many of these things am I expected to buy? ;)
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I had a thermapen [sic] for a couple of years and was asked to do the pH thing at
a neighbors brew; he has a Milwaukee sm102. When I got home, I threw the
"pen" in the garbage and ordered a real pH meter. But, that's how I roll.
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I had a thermapen [sic] for a couple of years and was asked to do the pH thing at
a neighbors brew; he has a Milwaukee sm102. When I got home, I threw the
"pen" in the garbage and ordered a real pH meter. But, that's how I roll.
Therma pen is a thermometer not a pH meter. two totally different things. I think you might have tossed some money away there man
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I had a thermapen [sic] for a couple of years and was asked to do the pH thing at
a neighbors brew; he has a Milwaukee sm102. When I got home, I threw the
"pen" in the garbage and ordered a real pH meter. But, that's how I roll.
Therma pen is a thermometer not a pH meter. two totally different things. I think you might have tossed some money away there man
Maybe you should have checked the batteries. ::)
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I just ordered one(thermapen) because my last decent working thermometer is acting up and now I have four thermometers that all give different readings.
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I just ordered one(thermapen) because my last decent working thermometer is acting up and now I have four thermometers that all give different readings.
I think you will be very happy with your purchase. That's pretty much why I got one initially as well.
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Ancient proverb states that a brewer with just one thermometer always knows his temperatures, whereas a brewer with 2 or more never does. ;D
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The one I had heard was "Never take two chronometers to sea. Always take one or three."
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I had a thermapen [sic] for a couple of years and was asked to do the pH thing at
a neighbors brew; he has a Milwaukee sm102. When I got home, I threw the
"pen" in the garbage and ordered a real pH meter. But, that's how I roll.
Therma pen is a thermometer not a pH meter. two totally different things. I think you might have tossed some money away there man
I had it bolloxed, sorry about that. I was thinking of the Hanna brand unites, which I don't think much of.
The Thermapen is a great product, which is fast and accurate. I use my wife's to calibrate the pids. As for
the eye rollers out their; your 50s will be an education.
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Ancient proverb states that a brewer with just one thermometer always knows his temperatures, whereas a brewer with 2 or more never does. ;D
I bought a NIST traceable partial immersion lab thermometer from Cynmar to calibrate two dial thermometers, two Ranco probes and my hand held digital. Interesting enough, my family of thermometers were between 7 and 8 Deg F off (high). I did the ice bath and boiling point tests on the new one and got 34 and 221 F respectively. They sent me a another one and it registered 35 and 222 F! My brand new Thermapen is stable in the ice bath at 32.1F, so I'm now back to just one and finally happy.
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I just got mine a few weeks ago and have used it for two brew sessions. I absolutely love it. Super accurate, super fast readings. I can't believe it took me so long to pull the trigger!
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If anyone is interested, there is a sale on "open box" thermapens here (http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/splashproof_thermapen_open_box_sale.html) for $69. Just got mine today, can't wait to give it a whirl.
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I guess the only complaint I have is the orientation. The design appears to be for a left handed individual? Meaning one needs to hold it in their right hand to use and read and if they are to use the other hand at the same time it gets awkward if they are a righty.
My preference would be to hold it in my left hand, or have the probe swivel the 340 degrees and the read out flip so it can be read that way if needed.
So there's room for improvement.
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If anyone is interested, there is a sale on "open box" thermapens here (http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/splashproof_thermapen_open_box_sale.html) for $69. Just got mine today, can't wait to give it a whirl.
Thanks I just ordered one. Pink. I figure it will be easier to spot in the mess I call my brewery.
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I like my Thermapen. Really lets you know how different the temp is in your mash even just a few inches apart.
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I guess the only complaint I have is the orientation. The design appears to be for a left handed individual? Meaning one needs to hold it in their right hand to use and read and if they are to use the other hand at the same time it gets awkward if they are a righty.
My preference would be to hold it in my left hand, or have the probe swivel the 340 degrees and the read out flip so it can be read that way if needed.
So there's room for improvement.
Thermapens are awesome.... but I have the same issue with the "handedness" of them. A buddy of mine who runs a small food processing facility got me on to Thermoworks stuff a couple years ago... he once called them and asked them to make a mirror image one... I forget what their answer was but it obviously hasn't happened yet.
I'll plug one more thing from them... the mini Thermocouple... http://www.thermoworks.com/products/handheld/mtc.html (http://www.thermoworks.com/products/handheld/mtc.html) costs $43 and accepts any K-type probe. It's not quite as fast as the Thermapen but it works for my applications, and it's more versatile.
(http://www.thermoworks.com/images/product/handheld/mtc_z_a.jpg)
I got one of these and a 6ft heavy duty wire probe that I can snake into my mashing cooler and get constant temps... I also drape this around my whirlpool IC before adding wort to kettle for the boil, then during chilling I have realtime temp feedback. Real slick. Of course they sell a million other K-probes of which I have 3 or 4 more for use in cooking, etc.
(http://www.thermoworks.com/images/product/probes/113-372_373_375-t.jpg)
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If anyone is interested, there is a sale on "open box" thermapens here (http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/splashproof_thermapen_open_box_sale.html) for $69. Just got mine today, can't wait to give it a whirl.
Thanks I just ordered one. Pink. I figure it will be easier to spot in the mess I call my brewery.
Someone needs to write a research paper on the effect of the AHA Forum on homebrewing expenditures. Once upon a time I was perfectly happy with a simple analog thermometer. Then I had to have a $20 thermometer. It died recently, but did I replace it with something similar? No, I bought an "open box" thermapen, based on the suggestion above. At least I know I'll love it.
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Muahahah ha ha haaah... :D
Yes- IMO every equipment purchase should be considered carefully, lest it trigger an avalanche of "upgrades" to accommodate the functionality of the well intentioned purchase.
But you should be safe with the Thermapen. 8)
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KGS - You will be happy with the Thermopen.
It is no unitasker - brewing, cooking, what is the temperature in this room, and so on.
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If anyone is interested, there is a sale on "open box" thermapens here (http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/splashproof_thermapen_open_box_sale.html) for $69. Just got mine today, can't wait to give it a whirl.
Thanks I just ordered one. Pink. I figure it will be easier to spot in the mess I call my brewery.
Someone needs to write a research paper on the effect of the AHA Forum on homebrewing expenditures. Once upon a time I was perfectly happy with a simple analog thermometer. Then I had to have a $20 thermometer. It died recently, but did I replace it with something similar? No, I bought an "open box" thermapen, based on the suggestion above. At least I know I'll love it.
I've been thinking the same thing every time a post like that makes me go buy something :) I wonder if they see a surge in sales and think "did this get posted somewhere?"
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not only did my (bright green) thermopen already arrive... the box included a tiny package of JellyBelly jellybeans!
I'm already looking for reasons to use it other than homebrewing. HOLD STILL KITTIES...
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WTF are these things so expensive??? I'd prefer to stick with my $7 lab thermometer. Hell, Amazon is selling them (thermapen) for $199!!!! :o That is NUCKINg fUTZ! Some of you obviously have more money than sense. ;)
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Don't buy them from amazon ;)
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Even at $88 that sounds like a rip off for a thermometer. How many of you have an $88 thermometer but don't have a decent pH meter? ;)
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It's a pretty nice thermometer that I use for cooking, BBQ, and brewing. It's a rare weekend that goes by that its not in use for one or more of those tasks. Fast, easy, to use and accurate.
Well worth every penny I spent on it. I think I paid around $75 for mine.
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I kind of have to go with Major on this one. Not to say I don't WANT a thermopen. it's so nifty. but my $5 grocery store dial thermo works great. I calibrate it with boiling water before each brew day and my attenuation some out pretty darn close to my target every time. never have to replace the batteries. The only thing I would change is the length of the probe but it is about the same as a thermopen sooo...
that being said I also don't own a pH meter.
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The response time of the pen is one of the best features. Reads in a few seconds vs a cheap dial thermometer that may take up to a minute or more to settle.
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This one works just as well and just as fast for around $15.
I got mine in December for about $11 at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TAYLOR-9847-COMMERCIAL-WATERPROOF-DIGITAL-THERMOMETER-/300351859597 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TAYLOR-9847-COMMERCIAL-WATERPROOF-DIGITAL-THERMOMETER-/300351859597)
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Even at $88 that sounds like a rip off for a thermometer. How many of you have an $88 thermometer but don't have a decent pH meter? ;)
I have strips. I don't use them, but I have them. I might get a pH meter at some point, I just don't have the need - I'm making great beer without out ;)
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I have made up the cost in my time alone for the speed and accuracy of my Thermapen.
But to each his own. :)
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Even at $88 that sounds like a rip off for a thermometer. How many of you have an $88 thermometer but don't have a decent pH meter? ;)
I have strips. I don't use them, but I have them. I might get a pH meter at some point, I just don't have the need - I'm making great beer without out ;)
How about your Pilsners or a Helles? Do you check the pH for them...I find that I have to adjust the mash with phosphoric acid because the pH goes above 6.0 for my light colored beers.
It also depends on your water but I was just wondering what you do. Just curious Tom. :)
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How about your Pilsners or a Helles? Do you check the pH for them...I find that I have to adjust the mash with phosphoric acid because the pH goes above 6.0 for my light colored beers.
It also depends on your water but I was just wondering what you do. Just curious Tom. :)
We have pretty soft water, but I don't check pH for pilsners or helles. At least partly because I don't really like them so I don't make them. ;)
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How about your Pilsners or a Helles? Do you check the pH for them...I find that I have to adjust the mash with phosphoric acid because the pH goes above 6.0 for my light colored beers.
It also depends on your water but I was just wondering what you do. Just curious Tom. :)
We have pretty soft water, but I don't check pH for pilsners or helles. At least partly because I don't really like them so I don't make them. ;)
That explains it. :)
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Even at $88 that sounds like a rip off for a thermometer. How many of you have an $88 thermometer but don't have a decent pH meter? ;)
I have strips. I don't use them, but I have them
Now I just wouldn't have admitted that. ??? ;)
$88 for a damn designer thermometer. Sheesh. I bet all you kids have jordash jeans, too. ;D
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Even at $88 that sounds like a rip off for a thermometer. How many of you have an $88 thermometer but don't have a decent pH meter? ;)
I have strips. I don't use them, but I have them
Now I just wouldn't have admitted that. ??? ;)
I received a Ph Meter for Christmas. One of these days I'm going to take it out the box and see if it works. 8^(
I also do not have a Thermopen. 8^)
Paul
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that being said I also don't own a pH meter.
I don't think you really need one...
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that being said I also don't own a pH meter.
I don't think you really need one...
I suspect that to be the case. I start with RO and use bru'n water so I imagine I am fairly close most of the time.
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Bru'n water software would be a total waste for me. My water changes often. I'd be willing to bet all ya'lls water changes regularly as well if it is coming from a municipal source. You can type your report into any field you want but that doesn;t guarantee that your water is anything like that report on any given day.
On light beer or dark beers I have to make adjustments (amber beers almost always hit spot on) and I personally wouldn't trust anything but a meter. I keep the strips around "just in case" but I don;t really trust them either. I never have been able to find the exact color match, even on the colorpHast strips.
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Even at $88 that sounds like a rip off for a thermometer. How many of you have an $88 thermometer but don't have a decent pH meter? ;)
I have strips. I don't use them, but I have them
Now I just wouldn't have admitted that. ??? ;)
$88 for a damn designer thermometer. Sheesh. I bet all you kids have jordash jeans, too. ;D
Admit which, that I have them or that I don't use them?
I only wear Sergio Valenti. ;)
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On light beer or dark beers I have to make adjustments (amber beers almost always hit spot on) and I personally wouldn't trust anything but a meter. I keep the strips around "just in case" but I don;t really trust them either. I never have been able to find the exact color match, even on the colorpHast strips.
I haven't used Martin's water program so I don't want to attest to that. I've heard a lot of great things about his program.
I agree Keith. My meter has the final say as to how I'm proceeding with my mash. I was amazed at the difference I discovered when I first started using a meter. My Pilsners and Helles' have improved drastically since adjusting my water based on my meter measurements. It's amazing what 15mL of Phosphoric acid will do for a Munich Helles.
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Well if you start with RO, it's probably close enough...
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Even at $88 that sounds like a rip off for a thermometer. How many of you have an $88 thermometer but don't have a decent pH meter? ;)
I have strips. I don't use them, but I have them. I might get a pH meter at some point, I just don't have the need - I'm making great beer without out ;)
i use strips on occasion and seem to always have decent ph. but Tom, you need to prove to me you are making great beer ;D, i mean, i believe you i just need documentation and all.
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but Tom, you need to prove to me you are making great beer ;D, i mean, i believe you i just need documentation and all.
I don't really enter comps any more, but maybe I will again some day. Since you insist, how is this for documentation?
http://www.bewbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331:2007-puget-sound-pro-am-winners
For more current beers you'll have to taste for yourself - NHC in Seattle? ;D
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but Tom, you need to prove to me you are making great beer ;D, i mean, i believe you i just need documentation and all.
I don't really enter comps any more, but maybe I will again some day. Since you insist, how is this for documentation?
http://www.bewbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331:2007-puget-sound-pro-am-winners
For more current beers you'll have to taste for yourself - NHC in Seattle? ;D
I will take yo up on that, Tom. The MI clubs are getting a shipment together, so you can stop by our booth and try mine.
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I have to say I'm very pleased with my new Thermapen. I used it on two brews now and I also calibrated my other thermometers that were off as well. The price was worth it for me.
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but Tom, you need to prove to me you are making great beer ;D, i mean, i believe you i just need documentation and all.
I don't really enter comps any more, but maybe I will again some day. Since you insist, how is this for documentation?
http://www.bewbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331:2007-puget-sound-pro-am-winners
For more current beers you'll have to taste for yourself - NHC in Seattle? ;D
awesome tom. i unfortunatley won't likely make it to NHC. i do hope to get back to seattle. i used to live in port orchard and my best man still lives out there. if i do, i will arrange a swap.
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I have made up the cost in my time alone for the speed and accuracy of my Thermapen.
But to each his own. :)
Uh, could I see that math? :)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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I have made up the cost in my time alone for the speed and accuracy of my Thermapen.
But to each his own. :)
Uh, could I see that math? :)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I didn't keep any time logs or anything if that's what you want. ;) ;D
...but seriously the speed of the Thermapen alone has made it worth it to me...IMO. :)
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Well if you start with RO, it's probably close enough...
Missed where he said he used RO water.
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I have made up the cost in my time alone for the speed and accuracy of my Thermapen.
But to each his own. :)
Uh, could I see that math? :)
I don't have any detailed cost benefit analysis calculations either. Also, it's hard to calculate the monetary value of the excessive aggravation I was experiencing with my thermometers before I got the thermapen. ;)
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You just have to assign one then. I figure my time is worth $25/hr minimum. More like $50. So if it takes one minute for a dial thermometer and 5 seconds for the Thermapen then calculate 55 seconds of savings. Come out to about $0.007/sec on the low side so $0.385 savings for 55 seconds saved. ;)
Paid for itself a long time ago. 8)
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You can instal a permanent dial thermometer and just walk up and look at it at any time and save way more $$$$$ if that's the way you look at it. ;)
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Well if you start with RO, it's probably close enough...
Missed where he said he used RO water.
Mort said he started with RO water and adjusted from there. That why I said what I said.
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You can instal a permanent dial thermometer and just walk up and look at it at any time and save way more $$$$$ if that's the way you look at it. ;)
You can install 10 permanent dial thermometers to get a reading from around the mash, or you can get a thermapen and just move it. :)
Mine is a toy, I'm not going to pretend. It is useful for food and beer, but not required. My refractometer isn't required either. Neither are my perlicks. The list goes on and on. ;)
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So, how is your Thermapen? :)
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So, how is your Thermapen? :)
Pink :)
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There are dial thermometers on the half barrels I brew in. They are calibrated using the thermopen. A very accurate and precise toy, that is used to calibrate the other toys.
The wife finds it handy for cooking.
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Well, I of course want one. I'm just not going to admit that now. ::)
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;D :o
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You can install 10 permanent dial thermometers to get a reading from around the mash, or you can get a thermapen and just move it. :)
BTW if you vorlauf you will get your temp range more or less even throughout. One dial thermo is all you would need.
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i am boycotting temperature and ph until a concensus is reached 8)
actually i use one of the pampered chef roast probes for my mash, i also noticed at home away from home depot they have similar to thermopens that are reasonably cost effective.
i am buying a refractometer now. (just to start more discussions)
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Oh, I wouldn't do without my refractometer. Talk about saving time, no thermometer even comes close.
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Well, I of course want one. I'm just not going to admit that now. ::)
I figured you did, just didn't think it was worth it for you right now. ;)
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Did I say my Thermapen is my favorite of all brewing gadgets?
There...now I did. ;D
My meter and refractometer are just as valuable but the Tpen is my favorite. ;) 8)
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Did I say my Thermapen is my favorite of all brewing gadgets?
There...now I did. ;D
My meter and refractometer are just as valuable but the Tpen is my favorite. ;) 8)
If that is your favorite gadget I have to say I feel really bad for you. I think you should get a heated/cooled conical right away and I have a feeling you will change your mind .... big time. ;)
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Did I say my Thermapen is my favorite of all brewing gadgets?
There...now I did. ;D
My meter and refractometer are just as valuable but the Tpen is my favorite. ;) 8)
If that is your favorite gadget I have to say I feel really bad for you. I think you should get a heated/cooled conical right away and I have a feeling you will change your mind .... big time. ;)
I have a 14.6gal Blichmann conical, however it's not jacketed. It's a great brewery piece but the Tpen rules. ;) ;D
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I assumed my Thermapen would only be a brewing toy, and an optional one at that. It has quickly become a treasured tool. Brewing, grilling, cooking, even just a quick read of the ambient temperature of a room in our unevenly-heated apartment... it's terrific. Fast and accurate. My sister just begged me to make the popcorn balls I made every Xmas (we're talking 1970s) so I'll practice my candymaking with it as well. I bought it in an eye-popping green so unlike my other thermometers, which were hard to find if I set them down in an unsmart place, I always find my Thermapen. Love it!
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I was just looking at pricing on one. Do you think they ever have a sale?
I bid on a used one just now on ebay, but somebody has a "plus a $ higher bid" thing going on.
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So we go to a party and I sit down to visit with a couple of "car" guys. Not wanting to disrupt the current topic, I sit quietly and wait to be acknowledged or to be able to interject a comment.
20 minutes later, I move on to another group as the guys I sat down next to were still talking only about "paint".
Throughout the evening, as I wandered past them, guess what, they were still talking about paint. When people of like minds get on a subject, it's always amazing how fixated on the topic they get. I've always thought that paint episode was a particularly humorous observation about motor heads.
Lo and behold....this morning I find myself reading through 6 pages of conversation about a bleeding thermometer!
YIKES....don't tell anybody.
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Well, I'm cheap and ordered a most likely inferior competitor for less that half the price...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V8A20Q/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61UUUxs5spL._AA1500_.jpg)
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I'm loving mine. Fast, accurate and versatile.
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I'll bet that 6 months from now I'll be cursing myself for being cheap and not getting one. ;D
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I use a Thermapen for everything, brewing and household. Wouldn't be without one. The link below is what I use in the carboy to measure wort temp coming from my chiller. It has a 5 foot waterproof probe that I sanitize prior to use. It is also certified.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/handheld/mtc.html
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I just can't get over my contempt. They are selling limited edition "flame" design for $96.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/
Seriously?
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The P.T. Barnum principle....
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You can instal a permanent dial thermometer and just walk up and look at it at any time and save way more $$$$$ if that's the way you look at it. ;)
I use my thermapen to check if I have stirred the mash enough. When I don't see any more grain balls and the temperature fluctuations are below 0.1 F, I stop stirring and put the lid on the mash tun. Can't do that with a dial thermometer! Anecdoctally my mash efficiency improved since I started using the thermapen although it is pretty clear to me now that I wasn't stirring nearly enough before.
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0.1 degrees? I'm happy if I get within one or two degrees of my strike temp. Hell, I doubt if even bud is that anal. ;)
The thing sounds like a great thermometer. But it is way overpriced, as is obvious by their offering higher priced "limited" designs.
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It is a great thermometer and worth every penny. I'm using mine now while smoking some spatchcocked chickens and tomorrow I'll be using it for testing the mash temp. I'll pass on the designer flames version though ;)
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Really like this piece of equip. I bought the flag one and it gives me piece of mind. I check strike temp, already okay with the dial thermo. Then I check mash in temp, already okay with the dial thermo. Then I check the temp during mash, already okay from the dial thermo. I don't really take time to check the boil until I am chilling but the pen verifies my dial thermo when I am cooling wort. Really sets my mind at ease during the brew day. LOVE IT!!!!
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0.1 degrees? I'm happy if I get within one or two degrees of my strike temp. Hell, I doubt if even bud is that anal. ;)
The thing sounds like a great thermometer. But it is way overpriced, as is obvious by their offering higher priced "limited" designs.
I didn't say I was within 0.1 degrees of the desired strike temperature. If I get within 2 F, I've hit the target as far as I'm concerned.
What I said was that I felt that I had sufficiently stirred the mash or properly mixed the water and the grains once the temperature variations within the mash got to 0.1 degrees F.
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0.1 degrees? I'm happy if I get within one or two degrees of my strike temp. Hell, I doubt if even bud is that anal. ;)
The thing sounds like a great thermometer. But it is way overpriced, as is obvious by their offering higher priced "limited" designs.
I didn't say I was within 0.1 degrees of the desired strike temperature. If I get within 2 F, I've hit the target as far as I'm concerned.
What I said was that I felt that I had sufficiently stirred the mash or properly mixed the water and the grains once the temperature variations within the mash got to 0.1 degrees F.
I'd like to see you over a ten bbl mash with your thermapen waiting for the temp to stabilize. :P ;) seriously, I think it's a great toy. Totally unecessay. Totally overpriced. But then again, I ride motorcycles as a "hobby" so stones must be set aside. I recon. ;)
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After only 2 brews I broke my thermapen-wanna-be. Pulled the sensor out by accident.
Sooo, I took advantage of the open-box thermapen sale and finally got one. It arrived today and I did a quick ice-bath test...32.0F....nice...
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After only 2 brews I broke my thermapen-wanna-be. Pulled the sensor out by accident.
Sooo, I took advantage of the open-box thermapen sale and finally got one. It arrived today and I did a quick ice-bath test...32.0F....nice...
Wow. How in the hell did you manage to pull the sensor out?
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After only 2 brews I broke my thermapen-wanna-be. Pulled the sensor out by accident.
Sooo, I took advantage of the open-box thermapen sale and finally got one. It arrived today and I did a quick ice-bath test...32.0F....nice...
Wow. How in the hell did you manage to pull the sensor out?
I was cleaning up after brewing and had heavy rubber gloves on to protect my dainty hands from pbw water. Picked up the thermometer and casually wiped off some smutz and it pulled out.
Sent from the future...
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0.1 degrees? I'm happy if I get within one or two degrees of my strike temp. Hell, I doubt if even bud is that anal. ;)
The thing sounds like a great thermometer. But it is way overpriced, as is obvious by their offering higher priced "limited" designs.
I didn't say I was within 0.1 degrees of the desired strike temperature. If I get within 2 F, I've hit the target as far as I'm concerned.
What I said was that I felt that I had sufficiently stirred the mash or properly mixed the water and the grains once the temperature variations within the mash got to 0.1 degrees F.
I'd like to see you over a ten bbl mash with your thermapen waiting for the temp to stabilize. :P ;) seriously, I think it's a great toy. Totally unecessay. Totally overpriced. But then again, I ride motorcycles as a "hobby" so stones must be set aside. I recon. ;)
That's kind of what I'm thinking. I'm sure the Thermapen is fast and accurate, but I can't wrap my head around $70. For that, I'll buy a PID controller and automate things. I have had the little yellow Taylor thermometer for more than three years. A little slow to settle in, but I check calibration regularly and it is rock solid. A buddy of mine that owns a 15 bbl brew system uses the same cheap Taylor pictured above. Makes great beer and sells the snot out of it. Thought mine had petered out during the last brew session and had to rely on the kettle thermometer. Fortunately, the battery was just dead. Half the price of the thermometer later, I have a new battery and it works perfectly.
YMMV
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Just got mine yesterday. Haven't brewed with it yet. It's orange. Does that impact efficiency?
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If it doesn't have flames or racing stripes its a PoS
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Mine's blue...to match my mash tun.
Synergy, folks...synergy... 8)
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i actually think these things are priced pretty fairly given their track record and history of wonderful customer service. they have everything you want from a company you want to do business with to have. their products were originally for labs grade and came in only gray and then they started making white as well and then went on to the colors for restaurant use to be able to differentiate between thermo. for beef vs. pork. vs veggies, etc....
it's just rock solid and when you can pick them up fairly frequently for under $70 and always less than a bill, and you couple that with how often you can use it and for the different number of uses and all of a sudden, $70 starts looking pretty damn good.
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There are brewing items I have purchased and used once (an immersion chiller for 3-gallon batches is far more of a hassle than ice baths). But you can have my Thermapen when you pry it from my cold, dead hands. I use it all over the place, from a quick room temp check to dialing in the exact temp on a steak I'm grilling. As for brewing, it's perfect.
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Just got mine yesterday. Haven't brewed with it yet. It's orange. Does that impact efficiency?
I hope not. I just got an orange one too. I was waiting for the open box sale and ordered it as soon as I got the email. Unfortunately I havent even had the chance to open the box yet but I will be using it tonight while grilling and then to calibrate my other thermometers and then to measure the temperature of whatever else I want in 3 seconds.
BTW I would love to see myself above a 10bbl mash too but the thermapen is more affordable.
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Does anyone else have a 'sticking point' with their thermapen ?
Mine has always had one - open the probe about 100 degrees and it comes on, keep opening it and it goes off at about 150. Keep opening and it goes back on again at about 170.
bit annoying but I live with it. seems to help if i 'excercise' the probe by opening fully and closing a few times. its always been like this.
Anyone ever opened one up? I would like to see if theres anything obviously wrong, but not sure if it will be difficult to put back together again afterwards.
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I developed this problem after sticking it deep into the mash and almost completely submerging the entire thing. I forgot that it was only "splash-proof" not waterproof!
Wort had gotten up in the hinge and was messing with the contacts and the problem was further compounded by the batteries running low. Work it back and forth under some hot running water perodically. This should help loosen things up. It may take a while to snap back to its jolly old self though; mine took about 8-9 months to where it would stop this annoying habit. I don't blame the pen though- it was my careless handling of the TP.