accurate brewing thermometers

[puddin]

what kind of thermometers do you all use? brands? type? links?

i bought a 3" thermometer for my mash tun, and im having a hard time calibrating it. thanks

 

[LLBeanJ]

Classic Thermapen

On sale right now

 

[Red_Dog]

+1 for Thermapen

 

[rhys333]

I just have an analog thermometer with 12" probe. It's calibrated and more accurate than I'm ever going to be at measuring the mash. Bought it from the LHBS for a few dollars.

 

[str1p3s]

I've found that the dial thermometers are only accurate close to the temperature they are calibrated. Currently the only one I trust is a glass lab thermometer but I think I'm close to splurging on the thermapen.

 

[jmartie13]

https://www.midwestsupplies.com/km1...CDD773651FC3&gclid=CO7N9dL7rtMCFQ9LDQodq30IWA

KM14, Accurate, easy to calibrate, and waterproof.

 

[Yooper]

I LOVE my thermapen! I bought it on sale about 10 years ago, after going through about 5 cheaper ones. In the long run, the Thermapen was cheaper for sure. I've changed the battery once, but it probably didn't even really need it.

I also use it for turkey, for my lamb roasts, for grilling/smoking, etc. I probably should get another one.

 

[day_trippr]

I lack a magic thumb so I've used a Thermapen in the kitchen and smoker and grill for years. Love it - even take it with me on far-flung travels when I know I'm doing some cooking.

It's also handy for many brewing efforts, and for correlating all my electronic temperature probes. But I also have one of these on brew days for keeping an eye on the recirculating mash in a 20g MLT. Perfect for that as it'll reach all over...

Cheers!

 

[jrgtr42]

I have the 600C by the same maker as the Thermopen. really happy with it - I actually have 3 - one for brewing, one for smoking / BBQ, and one for general kitchen use.
I have a few other thermometers I use when brewing, a candy-style one I keep in when mashing - once I have the temp from the 600C, I use that to keep an eye on how far the temp drops. PLus an infrared / laser I use to keep tabs on liquid temps, mostly when coming up to temp for mash / sparge, and to see where I am in chilling. I still get exact temps with the 600C.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

$80 for a thermometer???
How about this that has 2000 positive reviews and stayed calibrated for a year and counting...no need to over buy a simple thing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021AEAG2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[LLBeanJ]

$80 for a thermometer???
How about this that has 2000 positive reviews and stayed calibrated for a year and counting...no need to over buy a simple thing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021AEAG2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That's the model I started the hobby with, but after about a year of having trouble hitting target FG, I suspected my thermometer was the problem. Asked for and received a Thermapen for Christmas and found the CDN was reading 4°F too low at mash temps (meaning I was mashing 4° higher than I thought), even though it read +1° in an ice bath and -1° at boiling. After the Thermapen, no more FG problems. Well worth the money, IMO, even at full price.

 

[jmcquesten]

$80 for a thermometer???
How about this that has 2000 positive reviews and stayed calibrated for a year and counting...no need to over buy a simple thing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021AEAG2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Yes. Another vote for the Thermopen. A thermometer is one of the most important brewing tools, so investing in a quality one is a good idea.

@Jonny.... How can you preach $65 (flow control) faucets, then cheap out on a very important brewing tool? It's not "over-buying", it's buying good quality, especially if you do any cooking.

 

[BowAholic]

Thermoworks Heavy Duty Waterproof Thermometer, 12-inch (RT610B-12) - drops into the hole in my lid for constant monitoring... works perfect for $25. My brew bud has a huge 25 gallon kettle and uses the 24" model.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Yes. Another vote for the Thermopen. A thermometer is one of the most important brewing tools, so investing in a quality one is a good idea.

@jonny.... How can you preach $65 (flow control) faucets, then cheap out on a very important brewing tool? It's not "over-buying", it's buying good quality, especially if you do any cooking.

I'll admit it would have never dawned on me that a calibrated thermometer would be off. I've always just trusted that if it says 32 in an ice bath its 32. That being said I've never had efficiency issues either. To be honest I've never noticed any difference between a beer mashed at 148 or 158 [shrug] I wouldn't call it cheaping out not buying an $80 thermometer if the one I'm using forever works perfectly fine.

Comparing flow control to thermometers is not even in the same ballpark.
There are endless,And I mean ENDLESS threads and posts regarding foamy beers.balancing,long lines ETC....Flow control eliminates all that...they make huge difference in kegging.
Theres not many "thermometer issues" threads for a reason..there're simple tools that work.
Not to say there cant be ones that read off..I just don't buy into the fact that you need an expensive one for accurate readings.

 

[Henbrew]

$80 for a thermometer???
How about this that has 2000 positive reviews and stayed calibrated for a year and counting...no need to over buy a simple thing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021AEAG2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I've been using the CDN thermometer for a year and a half now. It's been working great for me. A couple brew days ago I dropped the thing in my hot mash and was certain I'd be buying a new one. Nope, it came out of the mash, I rinsed it off, and it just looked cleaner.

 

[mongoose33]

I bought the Thermapen Mark IV just after Christmas. It would take two strong men wielding crowbars to pry it from my hands.

Yeah, expensive. And I get that I'm at a place in my life where I can afford that. Ten years ago, twenty years ago, no. Kids had priority.

But when you see how accurate it is, and how FAST it is, you come to appreciate a quality and precision piece of brewing equipment.

I especially like it when I am dropping the temperature of a small glass of wort to room temperature so I can take a PH reading. I pour that wort back and forth between two thick whiskey glasses I pulled out of the freezer--so they're cooling that wort fairly fast.

I don't want to overshoot--and the speed of the Thermapen helps prevent that.

Same with mashing in. I can take several temps fast, and see if I have mixed well enough to create consistent temperatures.

 

[jekeane]

I have the Thermapen and the Chef alarm with the 12 inch probe. The thermapen is great and I use it for cooking regularly. I have switched exclusively to the chef alarm for brewing though.

 

[rhys333]

Guess I have to be the contrarian on this. I use a simple low cost dial thermometer like in the link below and I've never had a problem hitting mash temp or FG pretty much spot on. I just made sure to calibrate it for my elevation.

https://northernbrewer.ca/products/...7pWz2ahfOIoasFuD-t6PsPwM0lq5mzb8c0aApBs8P8HAQ

 

[mredge73]

+1 on the Thermoworks 600C; only $19 and nearly the same read speed as the classic Thermopen but isn't waterproof and probably doesn't have as tight as a resolution.
I use it for everything.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

Another vote for the Thermopen. It's the only thermometer I use anymore.
I bought the newer Mk 4 and even at that price, if it broke I would not hesitate to buy another.
Yes it's expensive, but it is worth every penny.

 

[Indian_villager]

+1 on the Thermoworks 600C; only $19 and nearly the same read speed as the classic Thermopen but isn't waterproof and probably doesn't have as tight as a resolution.
I use it for everything.

One more for the 600C

 

[lump42]

I use a Taylor Digital probe thermometer/ timer (here) for getting strike and sparge water up to temp. The alarm feature is nice because I kept overshooting temps as I got other things ready or sitting, drinking coffee, and staring off. I also use the alarm to let me know when I'm getting close to boiling so I can start watching it. I set the alarm at 210F.

I checked the calibration against my certified lab thermometer at multiple points and it is close enough for me. For checking the mash temp. I suspend my lab thermometer in the mash so it is easy to check.

 

[MaplePaddle]

Regardless of equipment, redundancy in temperature measurement is key. A combination of fixed and portable thermometers will tip you off to potential problems. Just my 2c.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I use this one...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OXHQL3Q/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It's held up well over 2 years and is accurate. I use it for cooking, brewing, fish tanks...pretty much everything. Like Yooper, maybe I should get another one!

 

[jmcquesten]

Comparing flow control to thermometers is not even in the same ballpark.
There are endless,And I mean ENDLESS threads and posts regarding foamy beers.balancing,long lines ETC....Flow control eliminates all that...they make huge difference in kegging.
Theres not many "thermometer issues" threads for a reason..there're simple tools that work.
Not to say there cant be ones that read off..I just don't buy into the fact that you need an expensive one for accurate readings.

I'm not comparing faucets to thermometers. I'm saying that if someone talks about buying (expensive) flow control faucets because they swear they are better than less expensive faucets, then claims their cheap thermometer is just as good as a higher quality (more expensive) one because they don't want to spend the extra money, they are being cheap.

The fact that you don't see a difference between a beer mashed at 148° vs 158° explains why maybe you need to make the investment.

There are some thermometer threads, but you're right, not that many. But, I'd guess that at least some of the "why does my beer have an off taste?" or "why did my fermentation stop at to high an FG?" threads could stem from temperature issues somewhere throughout the process. I started with a cheap, homebrew store thermometer myself. The calibration was always just a little off, until one day I realized it got way off and screwed up the mash. It only took tossing one batch due to temperature to convince me to spend the money. You really do get what you pay for.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

I look at it like this:
Precise temperature control is a key element of advanced brewing. To have precise control, you have to have precise measurement. To have precise measurement, you have to have a precision instrument.

Is it possible to get an inexpensive instrument that is also reliably precise? Sure it is possible, and maybe one of the inexpensive options here fit the bill.
However, in my experience, precision costs (not just in brewing, but in everything mechanical - cars, guns, tools, etc). Quality is rarely cheap.

The Thermapen is without a doubt precise, reliable, and durable (and incredibly fast, nearly instantaneous, to boot).
You may find those qualities elsewhere cheaper, you may not, but you WILL find them with the thermapen.

But your own experience and wallet will guide you.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I'm not comparing faucets to thermometers. I'm saying that if someone talks about buying (expensive) flow control faucets because they swear they are better than less expensive faucets, then claims their cheap thermometer is just as good as a higher quality (more expensive) one because they don't want to spend the extra money, they are being cheap.

.

It sounds like your emotionally attached to your thermometer and looking to get into it otherwise you wouldn't have brought up faucets in a thermometer thread....I could absolutely care less if you drop $1000 on a thermometer...Myself and many other here think its a waste of money and theres a difference between wasting money and being cheap...
Not looking to take away from the OP's thread but regular faucets and flow control are completely different. If a $1 thermometer reads the same temp as a $100 thermometer..thats it... its work is done.
AND if your mashing is off by 2 deg and you think that's the reason for off flavors and not a 1000 other things your mistaken...I wish you and your thermometer all the best

 

[biochemedic]

I plugged along with a glass floating thermometer for years, and then I finally looked into a more accurate/reproducible reading option... I went with something more expensive, because I wanted to be able to change the thermocouple probe for various applications...I have a standard spear-type probe for quick liquid or meat measurements, and a waterproof cable probe that I can place in my mash tun and actually close the lid and keep a continuous measurement of the internal temperature.
Yes, it's really pricy, but this thermometer, I feel certain will last me a lifetime, and I can use it for multiple applications...
It's waterproof, and I know I can be confident of the results it gives me....and if I ever need a probe for a different application, there's tons of them available from ThermoWorks

 

[murphyslaw]

I'm not sure how you know that your $10 thermometer is accurate.

I've wanted one of these for a while and this price--$59--is too good to pass up. Its a product that everyone, not just brewers, swear by. Cooks Illustrated and Kenji Lopez Alt among others.

 

[Bigdaddyale]

I have a Thermapen but bought a few cheap Chinese TP101 for backup. They are as accurate as the thermapen but not as fast.The cheapies TP101 aren't as cheap anymore and there are a few knockoffs of the Thermapen that get great reviews.