Temperature not displayed?

[aceturkeybastermanrobot]

Yes I know how to use a search function. Yes I googled, and yes I used the forum search. With that out of the way... I have been brewing for about 7 months so I am still somewhat new.
I have a strange issue. I have placed my recent batch (made this morning) in to a fermentation bucket with the air lock sealed and I for some reason am not showing on the side thermometer the temperature. All other batches have not had a problem displaying this when placed in the bucket.

1. should this be a sign of a bad batch.

2. how could I check the temp. with out jeopardizing the contents of the bucket when I check the temperature manually.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

If it's a "stick-on" type thermometer, you should never have trusted it in the first place. Those thermometers are wildly inaccurate and usually quit working after a while. It's NOT a bad batch. It's a bad thermometer. You don't need to know the temp. Keep it in a cool, dark place. RDWHAHB.

 

[nukebrewer]

1. I am very new myself, but I don't think I would by any means call it a bad batch. Sometimes those temp strips go bad. I know mine did when I accidentally stuck mine to my brew pot 'cause I wasn't paying attention. When I pulled it off to put it on my fermenter, it didn't read worth a damn.

2. If it were me, I would sanitize a thermometer and open up your fermenter to take the temp.

As I said, I am also very new; I just brewed my second batch today, but I hope this advice helps and that a more experienced brewer either confirms or denies my advice to you, so you have a more qualified answer to go off of.

[EDIT] Whoops, looks like I got beat to the punch
-AJ

 

[aceturkeybastermanrobot]

If it's a "stick-on" type thermometer, you should never have trusted it in the first place. Those thermometers are wildly inaccurate and usually quit working after a while. It's NOT a bad batch. It's a bad thermometer. You don't need to know the temp. Keep it in a cool, dark place. RDWHAHB.

1. I am very new myself, but I don't think I would by any means call it a bad batch. Sometimes those temp strips go bad. I know mine did when I accidentally stuck mine to my brew pot 'cause I wasn't paying attention. When I pulled it off to put it on my fermenter, it didn't read worth a damn.

2. If it were me, I would sanitize a thermometer and open up your fermenter to take the temp.

As I said, I am also very new; I just brewed my second batch today, but I hope this advice helps and that a more experienced brewer either confirms or denies my advice to you, so you have a more qualified answer to go off of.

[EDIT] Whoops, looks like I got beat to the punch
-AJ

Thank you both, yes this is a stick on thermometer. It is strange that has stopped working. I will certainly take the information put it to great use. Thanks again. I will post my recipe after I complete the fermenting.

 

[Yooper]

I like my stick on thermometers, and use them all the time. I don't fully trust them, but use common sense to judge if they seem about right. Usually, they are right, but I've had a couple go bad over the years. I ferment all my ales in the 64-66 degree range, and the themometer strip confirms that.

One thing to mention is that if the wort is too hot or too cold to be in range, nothing will show up on the thermometer. Is that possible in your case?

 

[aceturkeybastermanrobot]

it certainly could be possible. That is an avenue I looked in to. I have not yet manually checked the temp. yet. I am waiting a few days to see if this is possibly the reason for it not being displayed.

 

[TeleTwanger]

Usually if it's not showng anything it's too hot. Most only go up to 85F or so.

I never had a problem with stick-ons ever. They work well enough and are as accurate as they need to be for thier purpose. But if you are concerned with accurate temps the best thing is to get a probe thermo that measures the middle of the wort.