Digital thermometer or pH meter?

[ASantiago]

I won an Amazon gift card last night at a users' group meeting (thank you Idera!)

Immediately people at the meeting suggested I spend it on tech books. Yeah right! I'm buying *brewing* stuff with it!

So, I need both a pH meter and a digital thermometer. Or maybe it's more like I need a pH meter and want a digital thermometer 'cause I suspect the three analog ones I have are off.

Which one should I get?

 

[Nateo]

I got a cheapy digital thermometer for around $20:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001L2MTO6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It's really nice to have the probe tip. I can set the alarm for my sparge temp, and leave it in the pot while it's heating up while I do other stuff in the meantime. I've dropped it quite a bit and submerged the tip multiple times, and it still works great. It's handy to have for roasts and stuff too.

 

[ASantiago]

I got a cheapy digital thermometer for around $20

Excellent! This is the kind of info I'm needing right about now. I will certainly take a look at this item.

I'm torn between a dig therm and the pH meter. Both are important in the process.

 

[Nateo]

I bought some of the EMD precision pH strips:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TV3GQ2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

They work fine if you're just concerned about getting sparge and mash pH in the proper range. They have a systematic error of about -0.2, so they read a little lower than the actual pH. You can cut the strips in half, too, which would make 200 tests. That's a whole lot of batches.

I'm planning on getting a pH meter just because I want to start making wine and cheese, too, otherwise if I were only making beer, the pH strips would be all I'd need.

 

[jetmac]

A digital Thermometer will be way more useful.

May I suggest THERMAPEN

 

[Nateo]

I really don't understand why some people love the thermapen so much. I've used my wife's thermapen, I think it's way overpriced for what it is.

I like my $20 unit more than a thermapen because the probe is on the end of a good length of cable. So I can stick it in the oven when I'm making a roast, I can dangle it in my kettle when I'm heating strike and sparge water, etc. and leave it there, instead of having to check it every time I want to know the temp. That way I can just look at the display to check the temp, no need to take the lid on and off while the pot, or open and close the oven.

I can also set an alarm that goes off when I hit my target temp. The thermapen doesn't do that, and costs nearly 5x more. For $90 you could get a basic pH meter and a digital thermometer, and have money left over.

 

[TotemWolf]

Not to hijack the thread but, how about this kind of thermometer. Will they work?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YE3FS4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[ASantiago]

I bought some of the EMD precision pH strip... They have a systematic error of about -0.2, so they read a little lower than the actual pH

Strips are what I use now. I don't think I have the same you do, but I *understand* ('cause I can't say I'm even 75% sure) that mine tend to read about .3 low.

The strips are fine and I'm happy with them. I think within a certain range, a .3 variation is not going to kill the brew. But I've begun collecting fairly detailed data on each of my batches and that includes pH readings. For that, I want more accurate numbers.

 

[Nateo]

I just ordered a Hanna 98107. I'll let you know what I think of it out-of-the box, but I probably won't be able to brew beer with it for a while. I have a batch of apfelwein planned that I'll be using it on soon.

As far as the imprecision in the strips, as long as it's a consistent error, it's a still a repeatable measurement. AFAIK, the error is consistent in magnitude on all the strips. So I do think that the strips are good enough to record detailed info, you just have to remember the systematic error.

The main reason I'm going with a meter was that the meter, calibration and storage solutions were only ~$65 total, and to buy pH strips in the lower and higher ranges I needed would've cost ~$40 and not been as precise.

But like I said, if I didn't want to measure pH outside of the beer range, I would've just stuck with the strips.

 

[bikesnbeers]

i have a remote bbq thermometer similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004SZ10/comparisoncaf159-20. it is one of the best purchases that I have made for brewing. it also has a built in timer. only issues that ive had are 1) dont get the part above the probe wet, and 2) make sure the probe is in the liquid.

 

[bikesnbeers]

looks like that link didnt work, search for: Maverick ET-7 Remote-Check Wireless Thermometer With 2 Probes

 

[bigbeergeek]

Thermometer all day. I like the probe-on-a-cable types as well since they can be duct-taped to the wall of a fermentor beneath a few layers of insulation and give accurate beer temp readings during fermentation (in addition to water/mash temp readings). Beer fermentation temperature is more critical than mash pH most of the time, and pH strips can always (and very cheaply) get you in the ballpark.

 

[Catt22]

I like digital thermocouple type "k" probe thermometers. You can interchange any type "k" probe with these and there are reasonably priced probes that can match the accuracy and response time of the Thermopen. My preference is primarily based on versatility given equally accurate instruments with equivalent response times. I also like my cheap $16 CDN Pro-Accurate. I've dropped that thing in near boiling water more than once and it didn't skip a beat. I thought it was a goner both times. It's a reliable general purpose thermometer and a good backup to have in the brewer's tool kit. You do have a brewer's took kit, right?

 

[ASantiago]

You do have a brewer's took kit, right?

I do have a brewers tool kit. I'm just not sure what's all that's supposed to be in it.

A thermometer would certainly get a lot more use than a pH meter.

 

[Catt22]

I do have a brewers tool kit. I'm just not sure what's all that's supposed to be in it.

A thermometer would certainly get a lot more use than a pH meter.

LOL, at least someone noticed that comment

I bought a ph meter years ago and used it exactly three times. PH was always right close to where it needed to be. I did not use it for several months and when I wanted to use it again, I found the probe needed to be replaced. That was equal to about 1/2 the cost of the meter. I opted out of the ph meter owners club that same day and never looked back.

I don't know what should be in a BTK, but typically I will need some small thing that I don't have or can't find on brew day. That item goes on the to-get list and usually a spare will go into the BTK. Hose clamps, spare gaskets, whirlfoc tabs, spare thermometer, batteries, flashlight, cable ties, screw drivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, O-rings, timer, cigarette papers, igniter for the burners, Extra-Strength Excedrin, utility knife, spare batteries, spare thermocouple probes, refractometer, IR thermometer etc., etc. Oh, sun block, burn spray, band aids and minor first aid supplies. My BTK has saved the day more than once. It's especially handy for mobile brewing at group brews and such.