BeerBug - Can you use a 3rd party temp probe?

[ResumeMan]

Hi Brewers,

I've been looking at the BeerBug, and was considering putting it on the Xmas list as a fun little item of brewing hardware that I wouldn't spend my own money on.

As I understand it, this device strictly transmits information and doesn't provide any sort of control (which is fine, that's what it does). I know that you can buy a temperature probe separately. My question is: does this allow you to use an entirely separate temperature probe while the BB is in place? To be more specific, I have a temperature controller that I'd like to use in parallel with the BB. Can you insert the probe into some sort of thermowell on the unit, or is the design such that you couldn't insert something like that? I'm kind of thinking you can't but I figured it was worth checking in with actual owners of this thing.

While getting real-time fermentation info is fun, I don't want to have to start taping a probe to the outside of the carboy.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Jsmtg32]

I would get the thermometer probe that go to it. You can buy it the Beer Bug and thermometer probe from morebeer.com cheaper plus there no shipping and handling fee. What you save on shipping will off set the price of the thermometer. Probe.

 

[ResumeMan]

Right, but the thermometer that goes with it can't send the info to an external controller to raise or lower the temp, right? That's what I want to do - use the BeerBug for informational purposes, and still be able to have a probe from another unit (a temperature controller) to adjust the temperatures.

 

[Jsmtg32]

It won't work with your controller. But it insert to any bung like an airlock. So if your able to modify a bung to allow you to insert your controller probe in to the bung as well or you could use these http://morebeer.com/products/stopper-thermowell.html

 

[ResumeMan]

OH I see! So the thing doesn't become a new cap for the carboy, it's just a little thing that goes into the airlock port? That will be just fine then, as you say I could use the thermowell bung and the BeerBug at the same time. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jsmtg32]

Glad to help. The only problem is the research that I have do on it, make me want too.