Thermometer advice

[Sledge_Hammer]

Getting back into brewing and need to replace some of my equipment.So what types/brands of thermometers are you all using ? will be doing all grain and extract.
thanks in advance

 

[JonM]

Lots of us use the Thermapen, which is awesome, but they can be pricey. Thermoworks makes some thermometers in the $20 range, and I hear they're good too.

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/

 

[flars]

I use a combination of the Thermapen and Taylor kitchen thermometer. The stainless steel frame of the Taylor makes it handy for stirring mash. Taylor reacts much slower to temperature change so I leave it hanging in the kettle.

 

[RM-MN]

I used one like this and found it to be quite accurate at mash temps ...until I dropped to the floor. With the 12 inch stem I could leave it attached to the side of the mash tun or insert it through a hole in the lid.

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/dial-thermometer.html

I still use this thermometer but I'm not as confident in its reading at the mash temp so I use a lab grade to check the last few degrees but I hate having a glass thermometer in the mash so I take a reading and then take it out and put it back in its plastic case.

 

[MisterGreen]

I love the Thermapen. Fast and accurate.

 

[Yooper]

I love the Thermapen. Fast and accurate.

Me too.

I know it's expensive, but I had gone through about 5 thermometers before buying the Thermapen. I spent about $100 total on those other thermometers before buying the Thermapen, so I should have just purchased it to start with!

 

[peterj]

I use this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006303T90/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Not too expensive and I've found it to be pretty accurate. I've had it since last September and it still works great and I've only had to change the battery once.

 

[HBC]

My advice is having (two) on hand. I tested 10 digital units-in a store to find that out of 10- 3 had same relative measurements. 2 or 3 had 2-degree+ differences and I tossed those out. Calibration obviously was not done with care at the factory, but could have also just been 'not-accurate' brand/units themselves.

The lesson learned, I have 2-thermometers that I trust now. One is a turkey fryer style and the other a digital probe. They are both very close to each other, and I have calibrated both to ice-water.

Regardless of if these are true-accuracy, I doubt is a huge concern for most brewers- in that if I consistently produce beer based on what they read, and happy with the results, I can replicate those with the same equipment in the future.

 

[Sledge_Hammer]

thanks for the all the replys.Which model of thermopens are you using ? I was thinking that for all grain I mite need need one with the longer probe ? to reach the center of the grain bed?or am I over thinking this.
Also I've seen this one recomended http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0021AEAG2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
thanks again