This is just a rant, and a warning: if your digital probe thermometer starts acting funky--randomly switching from C to F, for example--you should have a backup on hand.
I learned this last night when the thermometer told me that, after 25 minutes in an ice bath, my 2.75 gallons of wort were still at 140 degrees (I can usually get it to 85-90 in 15 minutes). I noticed the sink water wasn't getting warmer anymore, so I dumped into the fermenter and topped off with ice water. Wort must have been at 75-80, because I wound up pitching at about 57, according to the strip thermometer on the bucket.
Oh well. At least I get to buy a new toy now!
I learned this last night when the thermometer told me that, after 25 minutes in an ice bath, my 2.75 gallons of wort were still at 140 degrees (I can usually get it to 85-90 in 15 minutes). I noticed the sink water wasn't getting warmer anymore, so I dumped into the fermenter and topped off with ice water. Wort must have been at 75-80, because I wound up pitching at about 57, according to the strip thermometer on the bucket.
Oh well. At least I get to buy a new toy now!