Calibrating a temperature controller?

[MrBJones]

Seems pretty easy to calibrate a controller to 32F using an ice bath. But what could you use to calibrate it to a more realistic ale fermentation temperature? Sure, could use another thermometer, but who's to say it's reading correctly?

 

[SoCal-Doug]

Yes, you need another thermometer to compare with. Something trusted to be pretty accurate if possible. Worst case (if you don't have access to anything else), head to wally world or some place like bed bath and beyond and grab a cooking thermometer. As you look at the rack of them, most will agree and be the same temp, a few will be low and a few will be high. Buy one that agrees with the majority of the others. You could still be a degree or two off at calibration temp, but its a quick cheap start.

I would suggest calibrating your controller near the temp you need it to be most accurate. If its for mashing, shoot for about 150F.

 

[RM-MN]

Seems pretty easy to calibrate a controller to 32F using an ice bath. But what could you use to calibrate it to a more realistic ale fermentation temperature? Sure, could use another thermometer, but who's to say it's reading correctly?

Why would it matter? Yeast has a range of temperature for a good fermentation. If your controller was off by a couple degrees it wouldn't matter much unless you set it right at the end of the range.

 

[MrBJones]

Why would it matter? Yeast has a range of temperature for a good fermentation. If your controller was off by a couple degrees it wouldn't matter much unless you set it right at the end of the range.

Sure, you can get a "healthy" fermentation with no off flavors by fermenting at a temp that's anywhere in the range. But I'm looking to up my game with a little more control. Do you like hefs that are more clover (low end of the range) or more banana (high end of the range)? Do you like ESBs to be clean (low end) or have some ester (high end)? And so on....

 

[thekraken]

Sure, could use another thermometer, but who's to say it's reading correctly?

I have a couple digital thermometers to check against. They can't all be *that* wrong, right?

These are kitchen thermometers checked at 32f and 212f and I have confidence in all of them (otherwise I wouldn't use them). One of them happens to be a thermapen, if you want to fork out the money for one of those then you would sleep well at night.

 

[Smellyglove]

I always trust my Thermapen as a source for calibration.

 

[MrBJones]

Well, last night I checked my Thermowrks thermometer (not a Thermapen, but same company), and it was dead on. Exactly 32.0º in an ice bath, and right around 211.3º in boiling water (which is what it should have been, taking into account altitude/reduced air pressure). Now to check my Inkbird against it.