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Author Topic: Thermometer Recommendation  (Read 7158 times)

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #15 on: October 22, 2013, 05:43:31 pm »
I've been pretty thrilled with my NIST traceable lollipop thermometer.  I've had it 2 years and have checked it against a friend's glass reference lab thermometer 3 or 4 times and it stays reliably within ~ 1/2 a degree F, at mash temps. It's also far less than a thermopen  :

http://www.thomassci.com/Instruments/Digital-Thermometers/_/Thomas-Traceable-Lollipop-ShockWaterproof-Thermometer/?s=MzoxNjowOjo6Ojo6MDo%3d

Amazon sometimes sells it for even less. It's a good one.
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Offline a10t2

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #16 on: October 22, 2013, 11:00:36 pm »
I have one of those; it's my reference thermometer. FWIW, Arbor has them for $26. http://www.arborsci.com/lab-supplies/measurement/digital-thermometer
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Offline Mark G

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2013, 07:14:09 am »
I have one of those; it's my reference thermometer. FWIW, Arbor has them for $26. http://www.arborsci.com/lab-supplies/measurement/digital-thermometer
Same one I have. And it's definitely waterproof. It sat at the bottom of my HLT for about an hour last brew day and still works flawlessly.
Mark Gres

Offline kramerog

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2013, 07:59:58 am »
I use a brewmometer (http://www.blichmannengineering.com/products/brewmometer%E2%84%A2) on my HLT that  has matched up pretty well to my thermapen.  Probably not what the OP was thinking of but technically it's a thermometer.

Offline mihalybaci

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2013, 08:20:29 am »
I've been using an IR thermometer for a while and really like it. It reads temp quickly and accurately, and because it doesn't contact the beer I don't have to worry about sanitization when using post-boil. The drawback though is that it only reads surface temps so everything has to be well-mixed to give good temperatures.

Plus I can use it on my cast iron pan to see when it's hot enough to put my steaks on to cook.

Offline joe_feist

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2013, 10:19:06 am »
Martin, what do use for a reference for a mash temp without relying on another thermometer? I understand your point about using ice - boiling water, but I'm racking my brain trying to think of what else to reference.

I have a NIST-certified mercury thermometer that serves as my reference.  Clearly, you wouldn't want to use one of those anywhere in the brewery due to its fragility and hazard.  I suggest that homebrew clubs may want to invest in something like that and they can have calibration events at their meetings a few times a year so that members can check their thermometers.

Thanks. That's a good idea. I recently joined a club and maybe some one already has a reference.
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Offline bluesman

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2013, 10:40:19 am »
I bought a Thermapen 2 months ago and don't regret the high price. I also use it to BBQ meat to get a quick check on temps. I expect this to last for years.

+1

I also have a Thermapen that I've been using for two years and about 50 batches now. Works like a charm. No regrets whatsoever.
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Offline hubie

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #22 on: October 23, 2013, 12:30:53 pm »
Using the Thermopen, I discovered that every thermometer I have is off by at least 5 degrees.

Are you sure your Thermopen is not the one that is off by five degrees?

Offline Stevie

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #23 on: October 23, 2013, 12:38:39 pm »
Using the Thermopen, I discovered that every thermometer I have is off by at least 5 degrees.

Are you sure your Thermopen is not the one that is off by five degrees?


Offline hoodie

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #24 on: October 23, 2013, 02:23:12 pm »
I have one of thermoworks mini-thermocouplers. They have tons of attachments. I have one of their long stemmed candy rods for mashing and a wire probe I can stick down a thermowell. Plus you can buy separate attachments for bbq'ing. It can get a little pricey however

Offline mklaney

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #25 on: March 07, 2014, 08:28:15 am »
I got tired of thermometers that all have different readings and finding out that digital probe thermometers aren't usually waterproof.  After reading this thread and looking around online, I just ordered the ThermWorks Therma Waterproof with probe and rubber boot.  $170.  I hope this puts an end to my search for dependability.

Offline Pinski

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #26 on: March 07, 2014, 08:47:06 am »
I bought a Thermapen 2 months ago and don't regret the high price. I also use it to BBQ meat to get a quick check on temps. I expect this to last for years.

+1

I also have a Thermapen that I've been using for two years and about 50 batches now. Works like a charm. No regrets whatsoever.

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Offline narcout

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #27 on: March 07, 2014, 01:12:55 pm »
I have one of those; it's my reference thermometer. FWIW, Arbor has them for $26. http://www.arborsci.com/lab-supplies/measurement/digital-thermometer

I have the same one and have been pretty happy with it.  I do wish it would read a little more quickly, but it does work well. 
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Offline BrewArk

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #28 on: March 07, 2014, 01:50:48 pm »
I've been using an IR thermometer for a while and really like it. It reads temp quickly and accurately, and because it doesn't contact the beer I don't have to worry about sanitization when using post-boil. The drawback though is that it only reads surface temps so everything has to be well-mixed to give good temperatures.

Plus I can use it on my cast iron pan to see when it's hot enough to put my steaks on to cook.
+1
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Offline flbrewer

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Re: Thermometer Recommendation
« Reply #29 on: March 07, 2014, 04:54:08 pm »
Thermapen...that is all.