Does anyone use Thermoworks RT301WA? The calibration makes no sense at all.

I have just bought an RT301WA and reading the instructions here.

The calibration makes no sense at all. it says place the thermometer in a temperature calibrator...which is what? I have no clue what a temperature calibrator is.

There is another piece of info I found on the website: "Adjustable Calibration

Under the sealed SS screw in the front panel is an adjustment screw that allows you to re-zero the thermometer in an ice bath, and remove minor errors if ever needed. However, thermometer readings should remain within the ±0.9°F spec without adjustment."

This makes more sense....but I dont know how to prepare that ice bath. Isnt it a bunch of ice cubes left in a glass in the fridge till they melt and produce enough liquid for the probe? I think that's what I read somewhere before.

 

What you want is ice in a container with water to about the top of the ice. That will be 32f.

 

You want ice cold water, take as much ice as you have and fill a cup, then fill said cup with water and wait a few minutes until its near 32f and calibrate with it.

 

ThermoWorks guide on creating a proper ice bath for calibration:

http://www.thermoworks.com/learning/thermapen101_creating_an_icebath.html

(Not that the above posts were incorrect, just adding the "from the horse's mouth" info.)

 

I have the same thermometer and it's reading about 2 degrees high. When I pull out the screw, it looks like there's a little slot inside, about the size of screwdriver from an eyeglass repair kit. I can't seem to get the head to catch and turn the slot.

If anyone else has calibrated one of these before I'd love to hear how you did it.