Fermometers

[mscg4u]

How long are fermometers good for? (ie how many batches)

 

[bigbeergeek]

They are junk. Just duct tape a real (digital) thermo to the side of the carboy. Accurate and lasts forever. Wash the carboy one time with hot water the the fermo. is kaput. Soak the carboy in a water bath and the fermo. is kaput. Save the $3.

 

[kh54s10]

Mine are fine after 6 months. My digital taped to the side lasted 2 batches, of course I had it for over 10 years recording outdoor temperature before using it for brewing.
I have taken no special care in washing my Better Bottles in regards to the Fermometers. I actually use a digital thermometer also.

 

[bigbeergeek]

I lost 4 of them (which were purchased/applied at the same time) in 2 months. I'm glad yours didn't fail as quickly as mine, but a digital probe thermometer is a much more useful tool in the brewery than decal "thermometers" which will ultimately fail.

Edit: I don't like the readout on them either. You're guessing which shade of green is the "correct" temperature -- it's easy to be off by 2+ degrees, even if the decal doesn't fail outright. Can't beat a calibrated digital thermometer for $15.

 

[brewtus_]

I've had mine for years and haven't had any problems. I only use them for reference purposes, but they're still pretty accurate. Whenever I need a specific temperature, i'll use a thermometer.

 

[mredge73]

Nearly 3 years with mine on my better bottles.
They are very difficult to read now, color has faded considerably so I think they are past their life expectancy. I would estimate they will last 10-15 batches as long as you take care not to damage their physical integrity. None of my digital thermometers have lasted that long.

 

[BradleyBrew]

how do you use a digital therm on your carboy BESIDES the different ones that can be used with a stopper?

 

[daksin]

I always check mine with a normal thermometer before each brew to make sure they're working. Haven't had one go bad yet.

 

[bigbeergeek]

how do you use a digital therm on your carboy BESIDES the different ones that can be used with a stopper?

Tape it to the side, then tape towels/bubble wrap/ other insulation over the probe.

 

[dukesbb37]

wait a digital thermometer taped to the side of a carboy? Thats accurate? Can someone snap a pic and post it up here?

 

[Paul07293]

Mine have been on my carboys for years and they are always within a degree of my Johnson temp controller.

 

[BradleyBrew]

Tape it to the side, then tape towels/bubble wrap/ other insulation over the probe.

ghetto temp lol... I will try it!!!

 

[Yooper]

Mine have been on my carboys for years and they are always within a degree of my Johnson temp controller.

I have one I ruined in a water bath, but the others are fine. They just don't do well after being immersed. Most of mine are 5+ years old.

 

[bomberman]

I've had to peel off and reuse one my fermometers multiple times when switching between FVs, and that one seems to have endured the stress fine. The bane of these things is excessive moisture from what I've read on here.

However, I question how accurate the readings are since I assume they display the average of the air temp and FV temp combined as opposed to the temp of the fermenting wort itself, which as I understand can vary considerably from ambient temps. I will continue to use them to gauge a close estimate, but for a more precise measurement I'll probably be looking for other options.

 

[cl330b]

Anyone have any ideas on the life expectancy of the tape type thermometer on the Throughmometer? Anyone have experience with one of these lasting?

 

[Hang Glider]

I've had my thrumometer for many years. They're great for an approximate temp of the wort post-chiller, draining into my carboy pre-fermentation.

 

[dienster]

I use one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MX5Y9C/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Just point and shoot at the side of the fermentor.

 

[TrubDog]

Cool!

I could buy about 40 of the thermo strips for that much denaro. I'm still on my first batch - still going strong after 4 years.

 

[cl330b]

I've had my thrumometer for many years. They're great for an approximate temp of the wort post-chiller, draining into my carboy pre-fermentation.

That's exactly why I bought mine. Are you just sanitizing the inside or are you dropping the whole thing in your sanitizing bucket? I'm hoping to not destroy the thermometer tape.

 

[dienster]

Cool!

I could buy about 40 of the thermo strips for that much denaro. I'm still on my first batch - still going strong after 4 years.

There are cheaper ones, I had it hanging around from when I was trying to figure out why my bonus room was so cold.

 

[RCCOLA]

wait a digital thermometer taped to the side of a carboy? Thats accurate? Can someone snap a pic and post it up here?

Here ya go. I've dipped a lab thermo into the wort at high krausen and the readings are within 1 degree F.