Thermometer

Any suggestions on a good thermometer for extract brewing?

I've only done one batch, so my input probably won't help. I just used the one that came in my starter kit. It's this one: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/dial-thermometer.html



I was wondering, though, if I should get a different one. I don't really like how my thermometer hangs out on the side of the pot. Maybe a floating thermometer?

Yeah. None of the ones on midwest or nb have good reviews.

My kettle doesnt have the fitting for the screw in kind.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JEKSLA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

this thing has been perfect for me, hooks right on the side of your kettle, 12" long so its down in the middle of the water/wort, and the digital part is detachable for cleaning. plus i have amazon prime so everything that is prime eligible is free two day shipping

A digital thermometer is nice while steeping but there really is no need for a thermometer in the kettle...you heat until it boils, time it, turn the heat off. I use a digital thermometer with a folding probe to check temps during; 1) steeping, 2) post boil chilling, and 3) yeast pitching.

Once you start mashing then it's a different story.

Obviously that's what i do. It's served its use well in many a place.

If your kettle has a thermometer you can see when you are close to boiling, if boil overs are an issue, and monitor temp loss during chilling without having to sanitize every time you insert your thermometer.

I got this one based on few other reviews and it works great. It it very nice to have the temp reading on the end.


http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/proaccurate-digital-thermometer.html

Thermapen.
There is none other like it.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009WE45/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I have two of these and I'm a big fan. They read quickly and have withstood a lot of abuse.

BetterSense said:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009WE45/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I have two of these and I'm a big fan. They read quickly and have withstood a lot of abuse.

Click to expand...

That was the one I got before the Thermapen. It worked allright, was off by a few degrees, and broke after less than a year.
You get what you pay for.

I didn't pay full price for the thermapen, got it from their open box sale.

On the advice of my LHBS I purchased Cooper HACCP Coolit Rite.
Found a great but on Amazon & it has been quick reading and accurate.

helibrewer said:

A digital thermometer is nice while steeping but there really is no need for a thermometer in the kettle...you heat until it boils, time it, turn the heat off. I use a digital thermometer with a folding probe to check temps during; 1) steeping, 2) post boil chilling, and 3) yeast pitching.

Once you start mashing then it's a different story.

Click to expand...

What thermometer do you use? This is what I need, a new one for, pre boil, post boil and pre pitch.

When you are brewing with extract you don't need an exact temperature since your steeping can happen over a wide range of temperature without problems. I do like to have a thermometer in the wort as I approach the boil so I can turn the burner down to avoid a boil over but again, accuracy isn't really critical.

When accuracy becomes critical is if you are going to all grain brewing and need your mash temperature to be right. A few degrees difference from what you intend can have you end up with a very sweet beer or one that is very dry. Until you go all grain, just use whatever thermometer is handy for you.

Its about $100 new but the thermapen is awesome. Temperature to within a 1/10 of a degree in four seconds. Its accurate and fast enough you can get different temperatures in different spots in the mash. Great for grilling too.

silvery37 said:

Its about $100 new but the thermapen is awesome. Temperature to within a 1/10 of a degree in four seconds. Its accurate and fast enough you can get different temperatures in different spots in the mash. Great for grilling too.

Click to expand...

Brown one is on sale for $79

I use a glass floating thermometer but it can be a pain to read and I'm afraid one day it may slip out of my fingers and smash into the bottom of the kettle.

I'd love a digital one that could stick to the side of the kettle but have a floating sensor that could dip down into the wort.

I love my candy/oil thermometer.



Very accurate, no temp problems. Nice easy to read display and the cover helps keep it from smashing when I store it and also allows me to pull it out of the pot and flip it upside down almost like the cover and thermometer form a bipod stand - so it never touches anything unsanitized.