Thermometer - where to install?

[Time-Travelers]

Hi -

I'm planning on installing a weldless ball valve, dip tube and thermometer on my new 62 qt bayou brewpot. Plenty of info regarding the valve/tube, but I can't find much about the thermometer.

Any suggestions regarding the recommend location for the 6" thermometer? Most photos I've seen show it above the ball valve. I'm planning on using the kettle mostly for BIAB (brew in a bag).

Thank you,

 

[MalFet]

I assume you are mostly interested in mash temps? Are you planning to direct fire heat during the mash?

The trouble with using a fixed position thermometer to measure mash temperatures is that the grain ends up being a pretty darn good thermal insulator, which means that you need to stir the bejeebus out of your mash any time you are adding heat to make sure you're not getting hot and cold spots. No thermometer position will read properly if you aren't stirring enough.

If you are stirring sufficiently, a thermometer could go wherever it's convenient for you. Keep it below or even with your ball valve if you are considering using a false bottom at any point, and certainly below the lowest fill level you can see yourself using. As long as it's an inch above the bottom of the pot, anything should work fine.

 

[Time-Travelers]

Thanks! Yes, I'll be using direct fire heat during mash-out and boil. I guess part of my (inexperienced ; ) concern was that the lower the install, the closer the probe is to the bottom and could effect the readings due to it's proximity to the flame but than at the same time I'm thinking lower or closer to the valve is better so it's not so much in the way. So long as I'm stirring sufficiently, I'll get an accurate reading, got it!