Double check your thermometers

[RunBikeBrew]

I've had the best luck with the floating alcohol thermometers (ordered from AHS). I've calibrated them with boiling and ice water. One reads 3F high and one reads 2F high, but they are consistent and the calibration is constant from 32F to boiling. I now trust them (but have to constantly perform the oh-so-complicated mental math of subtracting 2 or 3 from the reading).

I had a digital probe thermometer (with wire) that I have abandonded - completely unpredictable. The only downside of the floating thermometers is that they're not instant-read. They take a couple of minutes, but I don't really do anything that requires and instant response. (Of course, they're also breakable, and I've broken one before, but I try to be careful now.)

(Also, I've found that my fermometer is pretty darn accurate - usually within 1F of my floating thermometer.)

(Also, also, it's hard to get a calibration at 32F. You have to use crushed ice, very little water, insulated cup, and stir...)

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

I just did a brew where my POS dial thermometer (the ones about 10" long) ended up way off and a brand new digital probe thermometer ended up 10o F too high. Both were good at the beginning of the brew. No more using that POS dial thermometer.

Then theres ole reliable...the little dial thermometer in the little red holder (so you can put it in your pocket like a ballpoint pen)...that thing is like 20 years old and just keeps on ticking...accurately. It's just too short.

FWIW, I'm pretty sure the problem with the probe thermometer was that wort/water got inside the probe. It was def the probe and not the electronic part that went bad. I guess these things are not meant to be submersed. Oh well...the replacement will be relegated to keezer/refrigerlager/swamp patrol.