Cheap pipe tee temp sensor

[Daspete]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to figure out the simplest way to measure the temp of the outlet from my Mash Tun for a propane fired HERMS set up. I'll be manually controlling the HLT temp, so I don't need any sort of controller.

So far the best I've come up with is a RTD temp probe inside a pipe tee just after the Mash Tun ball valve and then using a $20 Amazon PID controller for temp reading only.

Can anyone think of a cheaper/easier way to do this? Just starting to learn the ropes on E-Brewing so I'm not too familiar with all the gear yet.

Thanks!

 

[Broken Crow]

If you're just doing it manually..'analog'.. why not stay analog? I have a couple of these:
https://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/ss-inline-therm-camlock.htmlI haven't seen them available in the US, but the thermometer is just a standard one with a 1.5"-2.5" probe and I've attached it to my pump outlet:

If you wanna go electrical, the stuff from Auber is at least purpose made and though it may cost a bit more, has a really good track record:
https://www.auberins.com/

 

[Daspete]

I didn't even realize they made analog ones like that. That's perfect! Thanks for the info, I'll take a look.

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Saw these the other day:

https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/inline-thermometer

 

[Daspete]

Saw these the other day:

https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/inline-thermometer

That's exactly what I need. Thanks so much.

 

[Bobby_M]

Bimetal analog thermometers are slow and relatively inaccurate. Basically they are 1% of the range so if it goes 40 to 220, basically they are +/- 1.8F
Good enough for government work, but I prefer digital.

With a Tee NPT Tee Fitting Female 1/2'' NPT
Compression fitting Probe Compression Fitting 1/2'' MNPT x 1/4 probe PCOMP1
Digital thermometer with temp alarms CDN Clock/Timer/Corded Digital Thermometer DTTC

 

[quantumguy]

A little late, but I just saw this post. Recently I've been looking to replace an inline analog thermometer installed in a cross like that shown above since it's inaccuracy (and slow response) has been bothering me when I monitor the temp coming out of my mash tun and into my RIMS. Tonight I just pulled the trigger on a PT100 probe (1/2" NPT so it will just replace the analog thermometer) with a thermometer unit to read the output. Both from Aberins:
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_131_15&products_id=249https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=279
Unfortunately I didn't see Bobby's solution until it was too late.

 

[easttex]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to figure out the simplest way to measure the temp of the outlet from my Mash Tun for a propane fired HERMS set up. I'll be manually controlling the HLT temp, so I don't need any sort of controller.

So far the best I've come up with is a RTD temp probe inside a pipe tee just after the Mash Tun ball valve and then using a $20 Amazon PID controller for temp reading only.

Can anyone think of a cheaper/easier way to do this? Just starting to learn the ropes on E-Brewing so I'm not too familiar with all the gear yet.

Thanks!

That's basically what I made up for my set up. I made two because I was interested in the difference between mash tuna input temp and output temp.

Then I put it away because I got a Blichmann Hellfire controller that monitors temp for me and I quick worrying about it.