OOOO Aaaaaah Lazieness Ensues

[Donasay]

So guys I was thinking of getting this thermometer for my mash cooler, apparently it allows you to remotely check the temperature and beeps when certain temperatures are hit. Does anyone have experience using something similar to this, what kind of range does it have etc..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I2XLSI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Evan!]

Well, it looks similar to the one I have in my kitchen (not remote, but the probe looks similar). The problem with these is that the probe is waterproof, but the cord that attaches it to the unit is not. And if you get it wet, it can give you faulty readings; mine currently reads 10 degrees off. Not what you want when mashing.

You need something like this. That's the one I use, and it's awesome. No, it's not remote/wireless or anything, but it's NIST traceable, so you know it's accurate. And it's waterproof---a must!

 

[Scimmia]

yep, I used a similar one a couple of weeks ago, it's now reading 136F sitting at room temp.

 

[Brewtopia]

I used to have a similar thermometer. It wasn't that particular brand but functioned the same. Be careful not to get the cable wet. If you do, the thermometer will not function properly. When I used it in my mash tun, just the steam from the mash caused it to go all out of wack. I heard that if you do happen to get it wet, baking the cable in the oven will correct the problem. (However, I haven't tried this personally).

 

[The Drizzle]

And it's waterproof---a must!

not as waterproof as i'd like, but they are replacing it for free!

 

[Evan!]

not as waterproof as i'd like, but they are replacing it for free!

I've had no problems thus far, knock on wood.

 

[Donasay]

Thanks for the advice guys, right now I have an analog dial thermometer that I float in there, it seems fairly accurate to within 2 degrees, but I have been looking to upgrade. I guess the only solution is to get a good digital thermometer watch my beer as it goes through the process, no being lazy for me.

 

[Moonpile]

So guys I was thinking of getting this thermometer for my mash cooler, apparently it allows you to remotely check the temperature and beeps when certain temperatures are hit. Does anyone have experience using something similar to this, what kind of range does it have etc..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I2XLSI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I had one with a probe like that and got the wire wet and it went haywire.

Got another one and some aquarium tubing. Tried to get it on there, but it wasn't going well so I sprayed the entire length of the probe with olive oil and the tubing slid right on.

Now I've seen pictures of this same kind of set up with over and under O-rings to create a better seal, but I have no idea how I'd get an O-ring under there. It worked fine in our mash tun for our second partial mash and I'm looking forward to using it in our first AG soon. The tubing is on there so tight, there's no way I can imagine liquid getting up in there.

It was a $13 probe thermo from the store with the happy face, where I also got plenty of aquarium tubing for less than $2.

 

[rohanski]

I bought one from Walmart for $16 and it has a silicon lead wire. You can submerge the whole thing right up to the thermometer and it works great. As a matter of fact I will be buying 3 of them for my AG setup.

 

[Moonpile]

I bought one from Walmart for $16 and it has a silicon lead wire. You can submerge the whole thing right up to the thermometer and it works great. As a matter of fact I will be buying 3 of them for my AG setup.

Dang! I paid $3 less at my Walmart but it only has silicone for two inches and really needed to be covered. Oh well. I would have paid $3 more for a factory done silicone sheath.

 

[tbulger]

not as waterproof as i'd like, but they are replacing it for free!

Mine just died on me too. Contacted the proffesional equip. and they told me to send it to the manufacturer and then they might charge me to me to fix it. Is this what you did?

 

[The Drizzle]

Mine just died on me too. Contacted the proffesional equip. and they told me to send it to the manufacturer and then they might charge me to me to fix it. Is this what you did?

Professional equip gave me their website, i went there and sent an email to their sales people with teh serial number and the situation and i got a reply back within the hour for a no fee replacement.

 

[SenorWanderer]

I heard that if you do happen to get it wet, baking the cable in the oven will correct the problem. (However, I haven't tried this personally).

baking the cord didn't work for me. it made the plastic ring in the plug swell and i wasn't able to re-attach it.

 

[SuperiorBrew]

I like this one

Traceable™

Thermometers are ideal for round-the-clock monitoring of semi-solids, air/gas, or liquids in incubators, refrigerators, freezers, water baths, and outdoor tanks. Useful in wet lab/plant areas and outdoors.

Thermometers may be placed anywhere. Easy-to-view 6.4mm (1/4") high LCD digits can be read at a glance. LCD operates in environments above freezing. Probe with stainless steel sensor performs accurately when under water. Records highest and lowest temperature readings over any time period. Reading updates every second.

Housing is waterproof and shockproof.

A serial numbered certificate is provided from an ISO 17025 calibration laboratory accredited by A2LA to indicate instrument traceability to standards provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

 

[The Drizzle]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


yup, that's the one that broke afte 2 uses. it is great when it is working, i'm glad they are sending me a replacement!

 

[SuperiorBrew]

I have 2 of them and one fell off my beer cart and i rolled over it this weekend, still going strong. VWR is great about replacing defective products, no questions asked.

 

[The Drizzle]

I have 2 of them and one fell off my beer cart and i rolled over it this weekend, still going strong. VWR is great about replacing defective products, no questions asked.

I musta gotten one built on a friday at 4:59pm. I like the thermo and can't wait for the new one to arrive. I have an AG Abbey Singel to get going!

 

[SuperiorBrew]

I musta gotten one built on a friday at 4:59pm. I like the thermo and can't wait for the new one to arrive. I have an AG Abbey Singel to get going!

My first one I trashed the battery cap on the day I got it, I called and explained what I did and asked if i could buy just the cap and she said she would just send me out a replacement. She also said to keep the old one for spare parts. So I have the battery cover taped on and now have two.

Talk about great customer service.