Thermometer replacement sanity check...

[Calypso]

So on the recommendation of the kind folks of HBT, I'm in the market for a new thermometer. I don't want to use a glass thermometer, and based on some research (on HBT), this sounds like what I want:

http://thermoworks.com/products/handheld/mtc.html

plus
http://thermoworks.com/products/probe/tc_wire.html
Model: 113-372/373/375-T

But I'm a little fuzzy on the whole thing and I want to clear up one big thing before I drop almost $100: Can I simply submerge that probe (a length of wire, if I'm understanding correctly) in my brew kettle and connect it to the unit?

 

[Puddlethumper]

I can't help with advice on that unit since I haven't used it. I have found a very simple solution to my temperature checking issues at about $30 including shipping. A Thermopop hand-held unit reads really fast (about 3 seconds) and is accurate enough for my purposes. Stick it in the wort in the mash tun and in a few seconds I know the temp. Same thing when checking the temperature of rehydrating yeast or starters.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZVJM3S/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[bobby4]

Yes you can, but make sure you get the right probe. I just bought one of these units and I love it.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[YeastFeast]

I use this version. It's pricy but worth it. Have had this one piece unit for over 10 years and still performs like a champ. I use it almost everyday too for all my cooking needs (BBQ, grilling, baking, etc.) as well as checking wort and yeast starter temps...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GIZZWM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Calypso]

I use this version. It's pricy but worth it. Have had this one piece unit for over 10 years and still performs like a champ. I use it almost everyday too for all my cooking needs (BBQ, grilling, baking, etc.) as well as checking wort and yeast starter temps...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GIZZWM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I considered the ThermaPen, because I know a lot of people swear by it, but I don't see how I could leave that in the pot for continuous monitoring, or use that with a covered pot (which I do sometimes for non-wort related activities).

 

[kh54s10]

You don't need to monitor the temperature of your boil kettle. I use the ThermaPen for everything from BBQ to mash temperature to pitching temperature.

If you are talking of regulating mash temperatures it might work, do you direct heat your mash tun? I use a water cooler so I cannot adjust the mash temperature so I have no need of constant monitoring.

Read up on the probes, a lot of the wired probes cannot be submerged beyond the solid tips.

 

[Calypso]

You don't need to monitor the temperature of your boil kettle. I use the ThermaPen for everything from BBQ to mash temperature to pitching temperature.

If you are talking of regulating mash temperatures it might work, do you direct heat your mash tun? I use a water cooler so I cannot adjust the mash temperature so I have no need of constant monitoring.

Read up on the probes, a lot of the wired probes cannot be submerged beyond the solid tips.

I hope the one I bought can be submerged, that's why I wanted it!

I'm just getting ready to move to BIAB, and I was told I need a better way to monitor my mash temp than the dial candy thermometer I have. But I have to say, the dial thermometer is pretty convenient and durable - I can just clip it to the side of my kettle and leave it there.

The other benefit I see with the wired probes is if I'm letting wort sour in the oven (which I did for my last saison), I can run the wire out of the oven and monitor the temp without opening the oven.