I've been reading through the forums for hours and hours, maybe days combined and I have a ton of questions that I just can't seem to find the answer for...or if I do I keep going in circles. Really hope you guys can steer me in the right direction.
Basically, I want accurate/temp and hydrometer readings. Here's my dilemma. My glass 12"+ cheapo thermometer seems to be off. I froze distilled water and then put the broken up chunks in a glass of distilled water and waited for it to equalize before taking a temp reading, and it came in at 36-37F, so I'm gonna round up and say about 5F off. I hate having inaccurate equipment and having to factor this into my calculations, especially since I'm a newbie.
I'll be brewing my first AG batch this coming weekend and I'd like to have accurate temp readings while mashing and fermenting and well to gauge the HLT water too. I've heard of people using cheapo temp sensors from Walmart, Target, etc or even using those nifty Thermapens. So many questions though...how do you measure the fermentation temp with a thermapen?
I read another thread suggesting to get a K type thermocouple, which I think I like the idea of better than a thermapen, since I can attach various K type probes. This seems easier for taking fermentation temp, since I can just dangle a probe through the carboy cap for quick easy temp readings. This could be used just as easily for taking water and mash temps.
I was looking at the following options: http://thermoworks.com/products/handheld/index.html
What would you guys recommend?
What kind of K probes would you recommend for reading strike water temp, mash temp and fermentation temp?
Another option, that I kind of like is wireless thermometers like this:
http://www.oregonscientificstore.com/oregon_scientific/product.asp?itmky=70477
I could use this for monitoring fermentation temps by dangling the probe into the carboy and leaving it there to monitor the temp while in another room.
I'm really looking for something accurate, priced right (I don't mind paying more for features that simplify my life) and versatile for brewing.
(additionally, my hydrometer is off by 4 points. i.e. it reads 1.004 in distilled water @ 60F. I'm not sure this is so much of a problem since I can offset easy enough for the few times I'll need to take gravity readings, AND I just purchased a nifty refractometer off ebay from hong kong. WIN!)
Anyway, point me in the right direction guys...I am brewing this weekend for the first time and will use what I have, but would like to have some better/digital stuff on order for the next batch (cuz it won't be long till I wanna brew again..probably the week after!)
thanks!
--julian
Basically, I want accurate/temp and hydrometer readings. Here's my dilemma. My glass 12"+ cheapo thermometer seems to be off. I froze distilled water and then put the broken up chunks in a glass of distilled water and waited for it to equalize before taking a temp reading, and it came in at 36-37F, so I'm gonna round up and say about 5F off. I hate having inaccurate equipment and having to factor this into my calculations, especially since I'm a newbie.
I'll be brewing my first AG batch this coming weekend and I'd like to have accurate temp readings while mashing and fermenting and well to gauge the HLT water too. I've heard of people using cheapo temp sensors from Walmart, Target, etc or even using those nifty Thermapens. So many questions though...how do you measure the fermentation temp with a thermapen?
I read another thread suggesting to get a K type thermocouple, which I think I like the idea of better than a thermapen, since I can attach various K type probes. This seems easier for taking fermentation temp, since I can just dangle a probe through the carboy cap for quick easy temp readings. This could be used just as easily for taking water and mash temps.
I was looking at the following options: http://thermoworks.com/products/handheld/index.html
What would you guys recommend?
What kind of K probes would you recommend for reading strike water temp, mash temp and fermentation temp?
Another option, that I kind of like is wireless thermometers like this:
http://www.oregonscientificstore.com/oregon_scientific/product.asp?itmky=70477
I could use this for monitoring fermentation temps by dangling the probe into the carboy and leaving it there to monitor the temp while in another room.
I'm really looking for something accurate, priced right (I don't mind paying more for features that simplify my life) and versatile for brewing.
(additionally, my hydrometer is off by 4 points. i.e. it reads 1.004 in distilled water @ 60F. I'm not sure this is so much of a problem since I can offset easy enough for the few times I'll need to take gravity readings, AND I just purchased a nifty refractometer off ebay from hong kong. WIN!)
Anyway, point me in the right direction guys...I am brewing this weekend for the first time and will use what I have, but would like to have some better/digital stuff on order for the next batch (cuz it won't be long till I wanna brew again..probably the week after!)
thanks!
--julian