NWAleDad

Recipes 

recommendation on a good thermometer? I used what my LHBS had on the shelf, wondering if i need to upgrade. it works fine for me, just curious if there is something new i don't even know about.

hoppyhoppyhippo

Recipes 

As someone who started on my own recently I'd recommend dropping about 200 bucks on your initial setup to get a good startup kit (where you get a carboy even if you won't need it for some time and an autosiphon) and a good kettle.

This is the kit I got so you have an idea what I'm talking about

http://www.love2brew.com/Complete-Beer-Making-Kit-p/bbek002.htm

If you have the money already stashed up as well I'd stash the "sanitizer" that came with your kit and buy Star-San instead.

If you want you can buy kegging equipment but that's one more thing to learn, so I'd probably not start out with that but if you want to more power to you.

I always suggest when you're starting a hobby start small and if it's something you'll love you'll grow into it. That's what happened with me and guitar, I started out with a cheap squire guitar and tiny Marshall amp, now I have about 2 grand worth of equipment in my current setup.

ArkansasRazorbacks

Recipes 

You CAN use a cheap digital one (I use a pocket digital in addition to the long-type that sits on the pot). Just make sure before you use one to put it in a glass of ice water as well as a pot of boiling water and calibrate as needed if it's off any.

NWAleDad

Recipes 

anyone have experince using the digital laser ones?

http://www.amazon.com/Kintrex-IRT0421-Non-Contact-Thermometer-Targeting/dp/B0017L9Q9C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357871336&sr=8-2&keywords=laser+thermometer

hoppyhoppyhippo

Recipes 

I've never used a laser thermometer but I'd be concerned with it picking up the heat on the bottom of the pot rather than the temperature of the beer which can be an issue whenever the fire is on.

NWAleDad

Recipes 

That is what i was afraid of. I love gadgets and looking for feedback before i dropped the cash.

hoppyhoppyhippo

Recipes 

I to want an infrared thermometer for my steaks though, Since I cook my steaks and burgers on a cast iron skillet I can get it to the perfect temperature to get a great seer and have it be perfectly rare/medium rare

NWAleDad

Recipes 

Great idea. Now i'm hungry for a good steak.

FATC1TY

Recipes 

Do you calibrate it with something accurate? Some suggest checking ice water, and then boiling water. Thats not a bad idea, but doesn't mean it's accurate at all points. I'd suggest having two, and checking those against each other as well.

I have a Thermapen, and I have a spirit filled, lab grade glass thermometer to check each with. I use the Thermapen mostly, but will randomly do a check to make sure they both read the same, and they always have luckily. The lab grade one was roughly $60, but I had an extra from work, so I lucked out there. You can find them for pretty cheap online if you shop around.

I have 3 other thermometers, and none of them read the same as these two. Some are closer than others, but calibrating them makes a difference. Makes aiming for a temp, and reproducing a recipe hard if you aren't mashing where you "think" you are.

Be warned, Thermapens aren't cheap, but they aren't ultra expensive. I used mine for more than just brewing too!

__________________
----------
Bubba's Backyard Brewery