Can you guys recommend a good, accurate thermometer to me?

[Elysium]

I am actually looking for 2 thermometers, one floating one and a normal one. I think I should have 2 for accuracy.

I am wondering if you guys could recommend some brands to me that you have tried/used and liked.

Cheers

 

[kblankenship11]

A lot of people like the Thermapen, myself included. It's very accurate and fast. I've had mine for over a year and I love it.

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

As for a floating thermometer--I don't use them so I can't speak to that.

 

[Elysium]

A lot of people like the Thermapen, myself included. It's very accurate and fast. I've had mine for over a year and I love it.

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

As for a floating thermometer--I don't use them so I can't speak to that.

isnt this a food thermometer (mainly for meat and steaks)?
How do you guys use this? just take the surface temperature?

 

[rklinck]

isnt this a food thermometer (mainly for meat and steaks)?
How do you guys use this? just take the surface temperature?

You put the probe into the liquid and get a reading. Where is the confusion? You obviously can't get the temp from the middle of the liquid or mash, but I have not found any long probe thermometers that are accurate.

 

[kblankenship11]

The probe is four inches long or so, I batch sparge so I measure after I've stirred things up. I bought it solely based off recommendations from people on this site. I'm glad I did, it's awesome.

 

[LovesIPA]

My thermapen was the best money I ever spent. I use it for brewing and I've found a lot of uses for it in the kitchen as well. I actually gave my girlfriend a hard time because she (slightly) overcooked a tri-tip. "Didn't you use the thermapen?"

I should feel lucky she cooks for me at all!

 

[Copbrew133]

+1 on the Thermapen. Really fast, really accurate and while it is a little more pricey than some of the cheaper ones out there, it will last for a long time if taken care of.

 

[LovesIPA]

Love that signature quote!!!

 

[MaxStout]

If you don't want to plunk down a c-note for a thermapen, this one is quite accurate, and fast. Made by the same company.

BTW, my experience with the floating thermometers has been less than satisfactory. That wad of shot pellets and wax in the bulb is a good insulator, which results in lag time. If you are measuring something that is changing in temp, your reading is likely to be off.

 

[cluckk]

I use a metal probe thermometer bought at my local homebrew shop. Then I also have this one bought off of Amazon. I bought it with the probe and use it to check the other thermometer on brew day. It is easier and quicker to check with the simple dial metal probe so I use it, but before doing that I check to make sure it reads the same as the digital thermometer.

 

[LovesIPA]

BTW, my experience with the floating thermometers has been less than satisfactory. That wad of shot pellets and wax in the bulb is a good insulator, which results in lag time. If you are measuring something that is changing in temp, your reading is likely to be off.

My experience with the floating thermometers:

- Broke one on my very first batch ever. Bumped it against the HLT and it shattered, dropping pellets into my strike water.

- I remember one brew day that drove me nuts. I had to make at least five mash temperature adjustments because of the lag and inaccuracy of the stupid thing. By the time I was done messing with it, I bet I had more than 1.5 qts/lb.

I ordered the thermapen the next day, although I remember the shock of finding out how much they were. "There ain't no WAY I'm ever spending $100 on a damn thermometer."

Yep, those were the days.

 

[paraordnance]

I know Thermapen is good product but there is better solutions from Thermoworks if you ready to drop $100 on high quality and accurate thermometer.
I just got Therma-K (+/- 0.5F accuracy, better than Thermapen) handheld where you can attach any type-K probe. With Thermapen you stuck with penetration probe and with selection of probes for handheld your imagination is the limit. I got myself wire probe (to go along with Therma-K) which is thin, flexible, heat resistant wire with bare end. You can stick this wire in mash tun and never lift the lid during entire mash. You also can slide same wire in thermowell and monitor fermentation temperature. Try to do that with Thermapen

 

[Elysium]

I know Thermapen is good product but there is better solutions from Thermoworks if you ready to drop $100 on high quality and accurate thermometer.
I just got Therma-K (+/- 0.5F accuracy, better than Thermapen) handheld where you can attach any type-K probe. With Thermapen you stuck with penetration probe and with selection of probes for handheld your imagination is the limit. I got myself wire probe (to go along with Therma-K) which is thin, flexible, heat resistant wire with bare end. You can stick this wire in mash tun and never lift the lid during entire mash. You also can slide same wire in thermowell and monitor fermentation temperature. Try to do that with Thermapen

Is this Thermo-K thingy like a module that later on gets another part attached and the 2 parts make up the thermometer?

 

[paraordnance]

Is this Thermo-K thingy like a module that later on gets another part attached and the 2 parts make up the thermometer?

Exactly. Much more versatile than Thermapen. Cost same and provides same accuracy. There is probably 50-60 different probes available. Smoking meat, petetration probes of all sizes and calibers, oven probe, air, high-temperature, wire probes you name it.

 

[kh54s10]

I started with the glass lab thermometer. Too slow.
Then a cheap digital probe. Too slow.
Thermapen - best money spent!

 

[Elysium]

Exactly. Much more versatile than Thermapen. Cost same and provides same accuracy. There is probably 50-60 different probes available. Smoking meat, petetration probes of all sizes and calibers, oven probe, air, high-temperature, wire probes you name it.

This looks pretty damn good. Is it fast, accurate and durable?

 

[stpug]

Either the Thermoworks RT301WA or RT600C (~$25) have VERY similar features to the thermapen

Thermoworks Thermapen:

3-second readings!
High accuracy to ±0.7°F (±0.4°C)
Water-resistant design
°F to °C reconfigurable
Auto on/off—no buttons!
1,500 hour battery life

Thermoworks RT301WA:

NEW! Accuracy to ±0.9°F (±0.5°C)
5-6 seconds
Adjustable calibration
IP65 water resistant
On/Off switch
Auto-off after 1 hour
°C/°F switchable
-40°F to 302°F Range

Thermoworks RT600C:

NEW! Accuracy to ±0.9°F (±0.5°C)
5-6 seconds
-40 to 302°F range
Dishwasher safe to 190°F
IP65 rating
On/Off switch
Max/ Min function
°C/°F switchable

So with a thermapen you're buying 3 second response versus 5-6 second response, and ±0.7°F accuracy instead of ±0.9°F accuracy for about $75 more. I know where I spent the money and I'll give you hint; I made 3+ batches with my savings

Edit: Here's the sad part: Once I compared my thermoworks thermometer to my $2 digital thermometer direct from China, they read the same (but the Chinese one has about 12 seconds response time).

 

[Elysium]

Either the Thermoworks RT301WA or RT600C (~$25) have VERY similar features to the thermapen

Thermoworks Thermapen:


Thermoworks RT301WA:


Thermoworks RT600C:


So with a thermapen you're buying 3 second response versus 5-6 second response, and ±0.7°F accuracy instead of ±0.9°F accuracy for about $75 more. I know where I spent the money and I'll give you hint; I made 3+ batches with my savings

Edit: Here's the sad part: Once I compared my thermoworks thermometer to my $2 digital thermometer direct from China, they read the same (but the Chinese one has about 12 seconds response time).

You can get refurbished thermapen with a 50% discount....which is really decent. Can you tell me what Chinese thermometer you are talking about? I have bought one too....but the problem with mine was that it fell apart after 2 weeks.
So....your 12 sec response time is majestic compared to what happened to mine.

 

[stpug]

The chinese thermometer I have looks identical to this one:

I have more confidence in my thermoworks but like I said the cheap one seems to be right on target.

 

[paraordnance]

This looks pretty damn good. Is it fast, accurate and durable?

Looks durable to me, I only used it once so far but I absolutelly love it. Very fast readings (depends on a probe you order). Wire probe has 0.5 sec readings. You can get rubber cover for it as an option and it becomes waterproof. I'm really confident in all Thermoworks products, they sell good stuff, you just need to decide what you going to use it for

 

[NurseJackie]

+1 on the Thermapen. Couldn't brew without it. What I like best (after the accuracy of course) is the instant results. Plus, it's very well made and easy to maintain. Worth every penny.

 

[Elysium]

The chinese thermometer I have looks identical to this one:


I have more confidence in my thermoworks but like I said the cheap one seems to be right on target.

Hi there

Can you tell me which one has a longer probe? The RT301WA or the RT600C? The descriptions on the manufacturer's site is confusing.

 

[IslandLizard]

I'm sure the Thermopens are the bee's knees and they should for costing around $100. But I wonder why no-one recommends the CDN DTQ450X
I got mine for $14; apparently they go "on sale" sometimes.

Brewhardware.com has them too.

 

[stpug]

Hi there

Can you tell me which one has a longer probe? The RT301WA or the RT600C? The descriptions on the manufacturer's site is confusing.

I believe the probes on those two models are the same length; the same length as the thermapen. Since I only own one of the three, I'm basing this on my previous research but recollection says they are all about the same ~6" lengths.

 

[stpug]

I'm sure the Thermopens are the bee's knees and they should for costing around $100. But I wonder why no-one recommends the CDN DTQ450X
I got mine for $14; apparently they go "on sale" sometimes.

Brewhardware.com has them too.

This would be true too. I've read good things on these CDN thermos. At the time I was buying, I figured that I'd drop $26 on a well reputed brand and maker of the thermapen.

 

[Elysium]

I'm sure the Thermopens are the bee's knees and they should for costing around $100. But I wonder why no-one recommends the CDN DTQ450X
I got mine for $14; apparently they go "on sale" sometimes.

Brewhardware.com has them too.

Seems to be a good one...but 17 dollars shipping cost to Europe? Unfortunately, this one is not a good option for me.

 

[Elysium]

I believe the probes on those two models are the same length; the same length as the thermapen. Since I only own one of the three, I'm basing this on my previous research but recollection says they are all about the same ~6" lengths.

That's what I thought too. Thanks.

 

[Bobby_M]

Seems to be a good one...but 17 dollars shipping cost to Europe? Unfortunately, this one is not a good option for me.

We just don't ship first class anymore because people tend to get pissy when the package sits in customs for 3 weeks.

 

[abledsoe]

I'm sure the Thermopens are the bee's knees and they should for costing around $100. But I wonder why no-one recommends the CDN DTQ450X
I got mine for $14; apparently they go "on sale" sometimes.

Brewhardware.com has them too.

I also use this one, have been very happy with it.

 

[Elysium]

We just don't ship first class anymore because people tend to get pissy when the package sits in customs for 3 weeks.

What do you mean "we"? Are you working for Amazon.com?