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IPAAAA · 01-31-2011, 05:08 PM

So my digital temp gauge died on me again when I put it in my mash to monitor the temps. It was never submersed but it freaked out somehow.

Sooooo, I want to add a permanent digital thermometer to my MLT but had some questions. Is it a good idea to drill a hole in the 10 gallon rubbermaid MLT I have? I don't want to make it lose any heat from having the thermo plugged into it.

Does it matter how long the temp probe is? I don't want to worry about hitting it with my mash paddle and breaking it. Also, does it matter if it is directly in the middle of the MLT or can it be lower and see have a correct reading?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good digital probe or should I go with the analog? I like the idea of having a quick temp reading.

IPAAAA · 02-01-2011, 06:09 AM

No one has any recommendations?

Cpt_Kirks · 02-01-2011, 02:59 PM

Here ya go: http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/02/15/add-thermometer-probe-to-hlt-mlt-cooler/

IPAAAA · 02-01-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpt_Kirks

Here ya go: http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/02/15/add-thermometer-probe-to-hlt-mlt-cooler/

Have you personally done this?

I would think drilling a 1inch hole i the side of my HLT would be a bad idea.

cyberwollf · 02-01-2011, 04:13 PM

I did it. You dont have to use that big a stopper. Just drill for the smallest size you can fine. I like it.

Coldies · 02-01-2011, 04:13 PM

Why? Your plugging it with a rubber stopper that probably has as much insulation value as the original cooler wall. You could also do this on the lid if your worried about it but will need to get a longer probe.

IPAAAA · 02-01-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberwollf

I did it. You dont have to use that big a stopper. Just drill for the smallest size you can fine. I like it.

How long of a probe do you have? Did you just try and put in near the middle of the water amount you usually have in the tun? I know the temps will be a little different at the bottom compared to the top.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldies

Why? Your plugging it with a rubber stopper that probably has as much insulation value as the original cooler wall. You could also do this on the lid if your worried about it but will need to get a longer probe.

Doubt the rubber stopper does but it just seems like a huge hole to put into the tun that wouldn't be permanent.

I would do it in the lid but like you said the probe would have to be really long and I don't know if I can get one that long. Maybe when I am doing 10 gallon batches but like I said before I want to be able to measure the temp right in the middle and not just barely at the top of the mash water.

Coldies · 02-01-2011, 05:08 PM

What if you did it in the lid with one of those corded thermometers and do what I did with my lid drill a small hole on the top side and spray some "Great Stuff" (Insulation in a can) in the lid. That should work

IPAAAA · 02-01-2011, 05:17 PM

Don't want to mess with the corded thermometers anymore because of them not being water proof and having to deal with that. I have seen the Bobby post on how to fix that but don't want to go that route.