I've Had it With These POS Traceable Thermometers!

[Evan!]

the proaccurate one is discontinued, it looks like...

 

[dstar26t]

I like the looks of the thermapens that take the Type K probes. A little pricey but nice.

The thermapen 7 and the probe listed here with the description (3rd from the bottom):

"Use in dishwashers, freezers or anywhere a waterproof thermocouple is useful. Stranded wire cable with PTFE insulation and a cylindrical cap sealed over the junction. Max. Temp 482°F"

Hahaha...just ordered their last one. Sorry.

 

[Evan!]

you suck suck suck. That looks sweet. I wonder if you could just velcro the body to the cooler lid, and drill a hole through the lid to slip the probe through.

 

[dstar26t]

I don't see why not. I use steam to change temps so I may attach the probe to my mash paddle since I have to stir all the time while adding steam during steps and to mashout. I also usually stir every 15 min during the longer rests to make sure the temp is the same everywhere.

 

[dstar26t]

It arrived today and I did some tests. The remote probe I linked to is tiny and isn't as responsive as my other 2 thermometers. It is very high quality though, I suspect it'll last a long time compared to the others. Besides the slightly slower response time with this probe, the only other complaint is that the display doesn't stay on. Auto-shut off is annoying.

test in ice

test in hot water

 

[JVD_X]

I like the looks of the thermapens that take the Type K probes. A little pricey but nice.

The thermapen 7 and the probe listed here with the description (3rd from the bottom):

"Use in dishwashers, freezers or anywhere a waterproof thermocouple is useful. Stranded wire cable with PTFE insulation and a cylindrical cap sealed over the junction. Max. Temp 482°F"

Hahaha...just ordered their last one. Sorry.

I had an e-mail conversation with the head of sales for thermoworks and this is what he said:

We do not do any NP threaded type thermometers, but if you want a fairly reliable thermometer that is water proof and inexpensive then I would suggest the MTC along with a cable probe model 113-375-T. The MTC is a thermocouple meter that is not totally water proof, but quite water resistant. It will read any type K TC, and has a list price of $43 which is the lowest I know if for a Thermocouple meter. This unit has a 1 year warranty. The probe is a Teflon coated cable probe which is water proof, and could be put into alcohol or even acid. I’ll provide a link for you. Sorry this isn’t exactly what your asking for, but it’s a good thermometer at a reasonable price.


http://www.thermoworks.com/products/handheld/mtc.html

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/probe/tc_wire.html

Thanks,

Dallen

 

[truckmann]

That MTC is what I was planning on buying until I found this...JMS Type K Thermometer. I can't get the link to work on here so search for ebay item number 230328342811

Other than the color and logo on it, it looks exactly like the MTC and it comes with a 36" thermocouple for half the price. I asked about getting a probe from the company that is selling these and here is the response.

You can use the sensor supplied with the thermometer. All you have to do is get a 1/8” diameter tube and braise the end closed. You can pinch it first and that way it is easier to seal. Use that tube as a well to insert the wire probe supplied with the sensor. If you search for the term thermocouple on EBay, you’ll probably find some probes that will work. The thermometer takes a type K probe with a “subminiature” connector.

The sensors from our catalog are probably more expensive than you would want to pay. They start at about $50 each.

Hope this helps.

I’ve given up drinking for Lent, but the sound of some fresh home brew sounds great.

I went ahead and sent him the $30.50 instead of waiting on the auction. Hope it turns out to be a good thermometer. Sorry to hear that he gave up drinking for Lent.

 

[dstar26t]

I looked at the MTC but it didn't have the accuracy as the Thermapen 7.

+/-.7F vs. 1.8F

 

[truckmann]

That Thermapen 7 looks nice. I didn't see it on their website until you pointed it out in this thread. I would probably lean to that if I had to pay full price for the MTC, but since the one I ordered looks to be the same as the MTC and is only $30 it was a no brainer. Even if I invest in a good probe instead of making one with the thermocouple provided I'm only looking at spending around $60 for the whole setup. As far as accuracy goes I'm sure it's going to be a lot more accurate than any of the previous thermometers I have used.

 

[RC0032]

from northern brewer... Always test within one degree or so (probe is only 9' long, so depends on your setup). Just don't bang them around, and most analog thermometers will last longer accurately then any similar priced digital...

How can it be accurate within 1 degree if its only marked ever 5 degree

 

[Yambor44]

I'm ordering this one. & 1/2 inch straight probe with 42" retractable wire.

http://www.labsafety.com/store/Lab_...n/Digital_Thermometers/58715/?noredirect=true

 

[Evan!]

I'm ordering this one. & 1/2 inch straight probe with 42" retractable wire.

CONTROL COMPANY Traceable® Kangaroo™ Thermometer - Lab Safety Supply

be careful. I'm willing to bet that you can't put anything but the SS probe into your mash. IIWY, I'd look for a thermometer with a type K probe. That's what Control Company (coincidentally, the company that makes the one you linked to) suggested to me for brewing when I called them.

 

[Evan!]

I had an e-mail conversation with the head of sales for thermoworks and this is what he said:

NIIIIICE! Just what I wanted. And I don't feel like getting into a bidding war on eBay, especially not with someone here. So I just ordered the unit, along with the Heavy Duty Wire Probe K 39 L x .09"OD 482F Teflon Tip probe. A little shy of $80 shipped, which is exactly how much I got back from Professional Equipment for the previous 2 faulty ones. Thanks for everyone's help (especially JVD_X!) on finding a type K like this. WOOOOT!

 

[truckmann]

NIIIIICE! Just what I wanted. And I don't feel like getting into a bidding war on eBay, especially not with someone here. So I just ordered the unit, along with the Heavy Duty Wire Probe K 39 L x .09"OD 482F Teflon Tip probe. A little shy of $80 shipped, which is exactly how much I got back from Professional Equipment for the previous 2 faulty ones. Thanks for everyone's help (especially JVD_X!) on finding a type K like this. WOOOOT!

I didn't bid on the one on ebay, just found out about it there. You can order direct from him and get the unit with a type K wire thermocouple for $30.50 shipped. The thermocouple that comes with it may not be good for immersion readings without some modification. I also ordered a 12" probe thermocoupler that I found on ebay for $10 shipped. So I spent about $40 for the whole setup.

 

[ajwillys]

Hey all, I see I'm a little late to the party but just wanted to chime in that I think I have found my next thermometer. It's an analog thermometer that's designed for paraffin wax melting. The beautiful thing is that just so happens to be the temperature range that brewers want most, 100 to 180°F in 0.2° increments. Here are the deets:

ASTM No. 14F Paraffin Wax Melting Point Thermometer.
Range 100 to 180°F (subdivision 0.2°F)
Immersion (mm/in): 79mm / 3in
Thermometer Length (mm/in): 375mm / 14.7in
+- 1% of range span span is 80°F


ASTM 14F Paraffin Wax Melting Point Thermometer.

Apparently, any ASTM No. 14F thermometer will have this same range and accuracy. They also sell a metal case to protect it, even when using.

 

[Jonnio]

Here's what I use, been quite wonderful

ThermoWorks - Home of the Original Super-Fast Thermapen!

 

[truckmann]

Hey all, I see I'm a little late to the party but just wanted to chime in that I think I have found my next thermometer. It's an analog thermometer that's designed for paraffin wax melting. The beautiful thing is that just so happens to be the temperature range that brewers want most, 100 to 180°F in 0.2° increments. Here are the deets:

ASTM No. 14F Paraffin Wax Melting Point Thermometer.
Range 100 to 180°F (subdivision 0.2°F)
Immersion (mm/in): 79mm / 3in
Thermometer Length (mm/in): 375mm / 14.7in
+- 1% of range span span is 80°F


ASTM 14F Paraffin Wax Melting Point Thermometer.

Apparently, any ASTM No. 14F thermometer will have this same range and accuracy. They also sell a metal case to protect it, even when using.

$42+ for a glass thermometer....No thanks.

 

[springer]

I just received one I bought . Tel-Tru brand made in USA Rochester NY. Adjustable head Huge ass dial with 2° increments all i do is get it in between the lines to do 153° .155° etc. 29 $ bucks delivered.

5" face

fully adjustable face and calibration set screw

going right into my MLT this weekend

 

[dstar26t]

ooo, I like that. It would be perfect for my HLT so I don't have to bend down to see the temp. Where exactly did you order it?

 

[Hugh_Jass]

Here's the one I just went with. It is a dial, but it has a 316ss bulb and capillary. It was less than $50.

 

[springer]

ooo, I like that. It would be perfect for my HLT so I don't have to bend down to see the temp. Where exactly did you order it?

Got it on Ebay

 

[dstar26t]

FYI, they're $85 new through a distributor. Guess I'll keep an eye on ebay.

 

[springer]

FYI, they're $85 new through a distributor. Guess I'll keep an eye on ebay.

I know I was looking at Miljoco also and they were in the 99$ range . When I saw this one for 29$ delivered I pressed the buy it now fast after I read his feedback of course. It is brand spanking new in the box.

 

[truckmann]

FYI, they're $85 new through a distributor. Guess I'll keep an eye on ebay.

Looks like there are several more on there that are similar only the auction says that they have 0-220F range dial on them for about the same price. Wish he had a better picture of the face though. All the one with that range he has listed have a big sticker on them. I just searched for "Tel-Tru"

 

[springer]

Looks like there are several more on there that are similar only the auction says that they have 0-220F range dial on them for about the same price. Wish he had a better picture of the face though. All the one with that range he has listed have a big sticker on them. I just searched for "Tel-Tru"

I just did a search for bi-metal thermometers and this was in the list that came back

 

[lspr_mtu]

Also, Control Company, the manufacturer, gave me a recommendation regarding a good one to use for brewing...and that would be one with a type "K" probe. Here's what she suggested. The unit itself isn't waterproof, but the probe is, and heatproof as well...within reason of course.

That looks like a good deal ($25.43), except if you want to buy an extra probe to go with it. The probe costs MORE than the entire device (which includes a probe for $25.98)?!! What's up with that?

Thermometers - Type-K Beaded Probe - Control Company Model 4028

 

[Evan!]

Why would you need an extra probe? It's not like you can use more than one at a time.

 

[lspr_mtu]

True, but it would be nice to unplug the MT probe and plug in the HLT probe so I can monitor both w/o actually removing the probe.

I think I'm leaning toward installing a bulkhead fitting on the MT and HLT and getting a couple threaded probes from Auburn for some permanent installs. I would eventually like to do a bit of automation with my setup, so I'm trying to make sure I'm getting parts that can be used with my upgrades. K-type probes seem to be pretty standard.

 

[JVD_X]

That looks like a good deal ($25.43), except if you want to buy an extra probe to go with it. The probe costs MORE than the entire device (which includes a probe for $25.98)?!! What's up with that?

Thermometers - Type-K Beaded Probe - Control Company Model 4028

I think for the most part - the type K probes interchange between manufacturers. They all use the same plug at least.

In good news, I just got a replacement lab thermometer from Northern Brewer and my Type K thermocouple that came with my Ideal 61-340 Multimeter matches it perfectly, so now I feel I have a reference thermometer to be used for a long time.

 

[Duckfoot]

Don't laugh at my temperature monitoring device choices, but I just picked up two of these

(with the stainless faces)
for less than $20...

Granted, they are by no means outstanding, and I have already killed two of them before, but the price was right and I just lost my last thermometer the other day...