Keg mash tun thermometer probe question

[bitmask]

I recently put a 6" thermometer on my keg mash tun in hopes of being able to monitor mash temp without opening up the lid. I don't yet have a means of recirculating, so a temp reading of the wort isn't possible yet.

The problem I'm running into, is the thermometer is consistently showing around 10 degrees cooler than when I open the lid and stick my instant read thermometer in various spots, including touching the probe of the built-in thermometer.

I assumed at first that I just had cold spots from not effectively stirring the mash around the probe, but I've reasonably convinced myself that isn't entirely the case at least case when I touched the probe with the instant read and still read 10 degrees warmer.

I boiled water in the mash tun after yesterday's brew, and confirmed that it is calibrated correctly too.

Anyone else have this problem, or suggestions of how to improve? Thanks.

 

[luke2080]

What kind of a thermometer are you using? I had the same problem. I tried to use a small grill thermometer, drilled into an Igloo mash tun. I found it was accurate to about 130-140. But it would sort of get stuck there. It would read 140, and when I would open the lid to thro my floating thermometer to the middle of the mash, it would read over 150. And the probe of the original thermometer did stick in a good 4 inches past the wall.

Made me take the step to get a better Mash Tun, and a temperature guage that allows me to calibrate it.

Your best bet for now, take it off, and calibrate it with ice water and boiling water, to make sure it hits those temps accurately.

 

[bitmask]

What kind of a thermometer are you using?

A Miljoco from bargainfittings

 

[Bobby_M]

Are you sure the instant read is calibrated correctly?

 

[bitmask]

Are you sure the instant read is calibrated correctly?

I realize from my posting that was unclear. I did shove my floating thermometer into the grain bed as well and it confirmed what the instant read said next to it.

I guess to confirm they are all reading about the same I should heat up some water to mash temps and compare what the probe, my two instant reads, and the floating all say at that range.

 

[Jud]

The problem I'm running into, is the thermometer is consistently showing around 10 degrees cooler than when I open the lid and stick my instant read thermometer in various spots, including touching the probe of the built-in thermometer.

Yep had the same idea, bought a Blichmann BrewMometer Stainless Thermometer, did the same damn thing. Really pissed me off!! I stopped worring about it for months and just used my probe. I had chalked it up to bad idea, until. Last week I added a March 809 pump to my system. As soon as I turned it on the and the wort started recirculating. The damn thing started reading right. I know I will not buy another one!!!! The cheap probe sale for $15.00 at Target, no holes to drill, and it reads right!!!!

 

[bitmask]

Yep had the same idea, bought a Blichmann BrewMometer Stainless Thermometer, did the same damn thing. Really pissed me off!! I stopped worring about it for months and just used my probe. I had chalked it up to bad idea, until. Last week I added a March 809 pump to my system. As soon as I turned it on the and the wort started recirculating. The damn thing started reading right. I know I will not buy another one!!!! The cheap probe sale for $15.00 at Target, no holes to drill, and it reads right!!!!

lol. not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but at least it comforts me to not be the only one. It seems like some people get it to work, but maybe they just all are recirculating too...