Thermometer issues

[Joewalla88]

When I went to start my last today I couldn't find my good thermometer, so I grabbed my old one. I think it might be broken, because it was reading the temperature all over the place, like 6-8 degree swings up and down. So I grabbed a normal thermometer (not electric) that I got in one of those 1 gallon all grain kits that someone got me a while back. This thermometer is looking a little odd too. Can someone tell me what this says? It looks like it has some air bubbles so I'm not what sure what to go by.

View attachment 1502477537675.jpg

 

[mabrungard]

Yeah, its a mess. In addition, don't use a glass thermometer for brewing use...its too fragile. I see that its an alcohol filled thermometer, but its still not good. Go to Thermoworks and pick up an electronic unit. These are the folks who make the Thermapen unit. The RT600 units are really nice and they are inexpensive. The Thermapen unit is way too expensive for what it is. For less than $20, you can have a very reliable instrument. I check my RT600 and RT301 units against my NIST-certified mercury thermometer and they are always within 1F.

 

[Joewalla88]

Good news and bad news. I found my good thermometer. Bad news, I was already done mashing by the time I found it. My efficiency was a little lower than normal, but it should be fine. Thanks for the input. I don't like using glass because of the breaking issue, but it's all I could find for today. I get to try again tomorrow though, so that's good.

 

[day_trippr]

For the record, firmly grab the high end of the thermometer and "snap" your wrist to drive the alcohol down towards the bulb/purge the air to the top of the column...

Cheers!

 

[Joewalla88]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[cloudybrewer]

Yeah, its a mess. In addition, don't use a glass thermometer for brewing use...its too fragile. I see that its an alcohol filled thermometer, but its still not good. Go to Thermoworks and pick up an electronic unit. These are the folks who make the Thermapen unit. The RT600 units are really nice and they are inexpensive. The Thermapen unit is way too expensive for what it is. For less than $20, you can have a very reliable instrument. I check my RT600 and RT301 units against my NIST-certified mercury thermometer and they are always within 1F.

Thank you very much, sir. I just purchased an RT600 a few minutes ago, based on your recommendation. I have a cheap digital thermometer I bought off Amazon that will read anywhere in a 5 degree range in ice water or boiling water. I wanted to replace it since recently switching to all grain, but didn't know what to get. Reviews of affordable thermometers seem to be all over the board, and I simply can't afford another expensive purchase for a hobby right now! This one looks solid. Thank you.

 

[cloudybrewer]

Thanks for the tip!

I just bought the RT600C a few minutes ago and Thermoworks is having a site wide 15 percent off sale. My delivered cost was under $21.

 

[mabrungard]

While checking a thermometer at the freezing and boiling points of water is better than nothing, its far from ideal. Its difficult to to create a proper water solution at 32F and the boiling point varies with your elevation. In addition, not all thermometers have a truly linear response. Therefore, its best to check your thermometer's reading somewhere in your typical mashing temp range with a certified thermometer.

 

[cloudybrewer]

While checking a thermometer at the freezing and boiling points of water is better than nothing, its far from ideal. Its difficult to to create a proper water solution at 32F and the boiling point varies with your elevation. In addition, not all thermometers have a truly linear response. Therefore, its best to check your thermometer's reading somewhere in your typical mashing temp range with a certified thermometer.

Therein lies the conundrum. How to confirm the accuracy of a cheaper thermometer without first purchasing a more expensive one.

*shakes fist in air. "Damn it, Jim!"

 

[mabrungard]

Therein lies the conundrum. How to confirm the accuracy of a cheaper thermometer without first purchasing a more expensive one.

Definitely!!! This is a problem. But that can be a service that a homebrew club can provide.

We rarely need a calibration check, but it's worthwhile every year or so. This is especially true if you use those 'dial' thermometers.

A homebrew club can purchase a high quality certified unit and bring it out on occasion for its members to double check their thermometers. I brought my NIST certifed thermometer to this year's local AHA Big Brew and had a hot water bath so that anyone from any club (or no club) could test their instruments out. The same thing could be provided by a good local homebrew shop.

 

[Brownalemikie]

Just curious, what's that stuff floating in your beer?

 

[day_trippr]

Looks like grain/husks floating atop the mash...

Cheers!

 

[Joewalla88]

Just curious, what's that stuff floating in your beer?

It's just the grain from the mash.

 

[Joewalla88]

Just curious, what's that stuff floating in your beer?

It's just the grain from the mash.

 

[cloudybrewer]

Definitely!!! This is a problem. But that can be a service that a homebrew club can provide.

We rarely need a calibration check, but it's worthwhile every year or so. This is especially true if you use those 'dial' thermometers.

A homebrew club can purchase a high quality certified unit and bring it out on occasion for its members to double check their thermometers. I brought my NIST certifed thermometer to this year's local AHA Big Brew and had a hot water bath so that anyone from any club (or no club) could test their instruments out. The same thing could be provided by a good local homebrew shop.

That's one hell of an idea! I wish my work, family schedule allowed me to join a club. I wouldn't have made so many mistakes.
Oh, and sorry to the OP for the thread hijack.