Thermometer Thread v. 1.2

[Pappers_]

After reading the thermometer thread (below as I write this) I have a very specific, narrow question related to it: why not just use the regular old-tech mercury/stick thermometer (either floating or not)? In some ways I'm very tech-savvy, but in my heart I'm somewhat of a Luddite - why not go with what seems to be the accurate, easy, cheap and dependable option?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Jim

 

[HairyDogBrewing]

I've been looking for a thermometer that is:
1. Accurate
2. Has quick response
3. Easy to read
4. Indestructible
5. Inexpensive

No luck so far.

Glass thermometers:
1. are accurate, but only when immersed to the line -
so you can't reach the middle of the mash tun.
2. take longer to settle than some digitals.
3. are hard to read inside the mash tun.
4. are waterproof, but easily breakable.
5. OK, they're pretty cheap - that's one out of 5.

I have glass sticks to check my brewing thermometers,
but I put them away on brew day.

$0.02

 

[menschmaschine]

Can one even buy mercury thermometers any more? One reason off hand is that, if you break a mercury thermometer in your wort/beer, you just ruined a batch. Not to mention added a little color to any Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments that would ever be done on your property.

A quality bi-metallic probe thermometer is fine for brewing. They can be calibrated, they measure temps quickly (5-10 seconds), are accurate, inexpensive, durable, and easily sanitized with a quick wipe of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Here's what I use made by Taylor and I've had it for going on 10 years now and it's still accurate: