Snafu

Recipes 

So I just got this in yesterday and starting the project box last night and wiring it up. Being that this is sold as an "aquarium" controller does that mean I can assume the thermocouple is water tight? How does everyone use theirs? Submersed in a vat of water? Taped to the carboy? Use a Dry well into the wort?

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I have vessels, some contain beer.

declanhalpin

Recipes 

I just have mine hanging in the keezer - making sure it doesn't touch anything, just measuring ambient temp.

Snafu

Recipes 

I'm not sure it makes a difference or not, but I'm using mine in a fermentation chamber. In my keezer, I really don't mind some tempature swing, but the FC, I want that spot on.

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I have vessels, some contain beer.

Homercidal

Recipes 

People do different things. Some just place the probe in the FC.

Some tape it to the side of the fermenter, with some foam insulation around it.

Some place it in a small container of water.

I, for one, would not trust a probe to be completely waterproof unless the manufacturer specifically states that it is safe to submerge for long periods, and provides a warranty in case of damage caused by doing so.

SlimeyBooger

Recipes 

I haven't finished setting up my fermentation chamber, but I will be taping the probe to the carboy and insulating the outside. The idea is to control the fermentation temperature of the beer, and setting up the probe like this should give a pretty accurate reading of that temperature.

Snafu

Recipes 

@Homercidal - so just some foam wrap and tape to sides of carboy? I don't really like the idea of placing it in water, my luck its not water proof and fermenting wort puts off heat that won't be picked up in a jar of water.

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I have vessels, some contain beer.

stratslinger

Recipes 

I just use a bit of bubble wrap and tape to tape mine to the side of my fermenter.

I just make sure to turn the fermenter so that the probe isn't directly between the fermenter and your heating/cooling source. I figure that way, I'm less likely to get inaccurate readings because the fan is blowing cold air or the heater is radiating warmth directly onto the probe.

Revvy

Recipes 

Funny, I was going to PM you today about this very topic.

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PantherCity

Recipes 

I tape to the side of the carboy then tape a neoprene beer can koozie over the probe. 2 layers of neoprene is good insulation and they are a good size, and you can get them anywhere for free.

I have to use them for something because I sure as hell ain't drinking straight from the can.

thisisjohnbrown

Recipes 

I don't have a chamber for my fermenting bucket, so it is sitting on my counter in the kitchen.

My plan is to wrap the sensor in plastic wrap to keep it water proof, drill a hole in the top of my fermenting bucket, put the sensor in with an airtight grommet (like my airlock has) and putting it directly in the brew.

Is that going to create a problem? I wouldn't think so, but I don't think I see anyone else going the direct route...