Thermowell cost? DIY alternatives?

[grrickar]

Am I missing something? A $3 stopper and a SS crimped 12-16" tube = $24?

Looking for a good DIY option. Seems like I could take a SS tube, hammer one end, drop in some wax to make it watertight and drill my own stopper. The thing is where can I source the SS tube?

 

[b-boy]

Brewershardware.com has them for $20. Personally, I'd just buy one. Sourcing SS locally is a pain.

 

[dtgrdn]

I took a bottle filler, took the plunger end off and glued a cap that I had that fit it perfectly onto the end in place of it. Total cost was around $6.

 

[grrickar]

I have some of that acrylic tubing, so I may give that a try. Good idea!

 

[pdietert]

I use this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XN817Y/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Plugged with this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V3SIR4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 - food safe and can be heated to 400 deg. F

It can make 3 -24 inch or 4 - 18 inch thermowells. Total cost under $30

 

[cantrell00]

$9.99

http://www.stainlessbrewing.com/Long-Thermowell_p_131.html

 

[grathan]

You'd also need to flare the end so it didn't fall through the stopper..

I am sure you could get stainless tube anywheres. I'd check eBay.

Another option might be copper tube. Maybe sweat a cap on the end.

 

[Gavin C]

$9.99

http://www.stainlessbrewing.com/Long-Thermowell_p_131.html

For me this negates the need for a DIY solution. Been looking for a cheaper alternative. Never thought to find it at SS brewing.

Thanks for the post.

 

[etk29321]

I've just used spare lengths of soft copper tubing for years. It seems like something I always have on hand and I tend to make them on brew day when I realize I need them. Put some flux in one end, hammer it shut and solder. Putting the flux in first is the only real trick since it helps draw the solder in after its been hammered shut.

 

[Spellman]

I don't really care for the design of stainlessbrewing ones, I don't like that threaded fitting for the cap. Just look here: http://www.brewershardware.com/Straight-Wall-Thermowells/, problem solved, these are fantastic quality, and super cheap for how nicely they are made.

 

[Indian_villager]

Tada
http://www.brewershardware.com/Straight-Tubes/

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Brewershardware is where i sourced mine for my BrewPi build and where i send people in my post...maybe why they are out of stock of all the good lengths? Who knows lol.

 

[craigmw]

I don't really care for the design of stainlessbrewing ones, I don't like that threaded fitting for the cap. Just look here: http://www.brewershardware.com/Straight-Wall-Thermowells/, problem solved, these are fantastic quality, and super cheap for how nicely they are made.

Agreed! I have three of these for fermenters and two in wine bottles for monitoring my wine cellar. The Brewer's Hardware thermowells are top notch.