Thermometer Suggestions

What do you guys recommend? I'm not looking to spend a ton of money but I don't want to get a dirt cheap one that I'll just want to replace in a month. Give me your thoughts please.

It depends on what you need it for, like if you want to mount it in a pot or use it for spot checking. I've been using this cheap one by Taylor from Amazon for spot checking things and it's been great for the money
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009WE45/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00004XSC5&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0GEBXPD01F47B12NYPEJ

I'd like to get a thermapen though for it's speed, but they're pretty expensive.

Are you looking for a pen thermometer, dial thermometer, what? I definitely suggest going digital...they're faster and typically a lot more accurate. Stay away from floating thermometers...I haven't found one that's accurate.

I like CDN digital thermometers, personally. I've used them in my kitchen for years and they are fairly accurate, fast and haven't ever failed me. BobbyM/BrewHardware.com, from these forums, has a reasonably inexpensive model that will grow with you for years. Thermapens are widely regarded as the most accurate out there, but be prepared to spend some $$$ on them.

I'd like it mounted on the pot, in particular I want it for during the chilling phase so I don't have to keep putting a thermometer into the wort.

You can mount a bimetal or digital thermometer depending on what you prefer. I have Sabco and Miljoco bimetal therms that have 1/2" NPT threads that I've used for years. They're probably going to outlast any digital thermometer I would think. On the other hand, you can get a kit to allow you to mount the thinner probed digitals and then you can always take the thermometer out when not brewing to use it for other things.

Oh yeah, one other thing. If you're using propane there may be an issue with a plastic bodied thermometer too close to the flame source. Not as much of an issue with the bi-metals probably but Bobby M has a heat shield gizmo to help with that at brewhardware.

Thanks a bunch. I'm just getting into this hobby so I have a lot to learn.

Well, you came to the right forum. I wish it was around when I started.

I use a dial thermometer like in the link below.
I just put it in a hole in my brewpots lid. I leave the lid on as much as possible while chilling, works great.
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/dial-thermometer.html

My 1st thermometer was waste of money.. I dont even know where it is..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Pro...247?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4159125677

2nd one was better choice, it is still in use (I bought metal probes):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-The..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item4d022192d0&vxp=mtr

diS said:

2nd one was better choice, it is still in use (I bought metal probes):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-The..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item4d022192d0&vxp=mtr

Click to expand...

Any specific metal probe I should be looking for?

I used this thermometer (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/dial-thermometer.html) and found it to be quite accurate....until I dropped it onto the floor. After recalibrating it the accuracy is very good again, within a degree at mash temperatures. I like to clip it to the kettle as I heat the water or insert it through a hole in the lid.

jsguitar said:

It depends on what you need it for, like if you want to mount it in a pot or use it for spot checking. I've been using this cheap one by Taylor from Amazon for spot checking things and it's been great for the money
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009WE45/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00004XSC5&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0GEBXPD01F47B12NYPEJ

I'd like to get a thermapen though for it's speed, but they're pretty expensive.

Click to expand...

I was thinking of getting one of those, how do you sanitize it? I see that it's waterproof, does that mean you can drop it in a bucket of sanitizer?

patjofo said:

I was thinking of getting one of those, how do you sanitize it? I see that it's waterproof, does that mean you can drop it in a bucket of sanitizer?

Click to expand...

I have one similar to that but mine isn't waterproof. I only sanitize the part I expect to put into the wort or beer. I never expect to drop it in so I don't sanitize the top.:cross:

m00se said:

Any specific metal probe I should be looking for?

Click to expand...

I bought two regular probes that are sold w/thermometer for $9.80.