williams sonoma "thermapen"

[motobrewer]

williams sonoma has a digital thermometer out. It reads:

"approved by NSF" and
"contains factory calibration certificate'.

doesn't say it includes a NSF cert, and it doesn't give any speed ratings.

it's $100, i'm thinking it's a rip-off....

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

williams sonoma has a digital thermometer out. It reads:

"approved by NSF" and
"contains factory calibration certificate'.

doesn't say it includes a NSF cert, and it doesn't give any speed ratings.

it's $100, i'm thinking it's a rip-off....

Seems like if you're gonna spend that much $ on a thermometer, you may as well just get a real thermapen?

As the head chef in my house I like Williams-Sonoma alot. They have a great selection of high end cookware and knives, but I will say that their store and catalog is also filled with really expensive uni-taskers that I would never buy.

 

[broadbill]

Thermapens are nice for a few reasons(I've played with one, don't own one unless Santa brings me one):

It gives a temperature in a second or so...The temperature sensing mechanism is different from most cheaper thermometers. For instance, my cheaper (i.e. $12) model typically takes 10-15 seconds as it "gets up to temp" when reading mash temps.

It can read accurate temps without having to put the probe in as far...not a biggie with brewing, but I like the idea of a using the thermapen around for cooking as well....I like tools that do double duty.

It is almost waterproof....I'm not sure I'd dunk it, but you could probably hose it off/wipe it down without any problems.

I think they are a pretty nice upgrade from the cheaper thermos, but everyone has to rationale the price-tag for themselves...

 

[broadbill]

Seems like if you're gonna spend that much $ on a thermometer, you may as well just get a real thermapen?

As the head chef in my house I like Williams-Sonoma alot. They have a great selection of high end cookware and knives, but I will say that their store and catalog is also filled with really expensive uni-taskers that I would never buy.

I think the williams sonoma is selling the real thermapen...I might be mistaken...

 

[motobrewer]

that's the thing, it's the same price as the thermapen. i'm thinking WS is using clever wording to put out a cheaper product for a lot of money to piggyback off the 'pen.

williams sonoma's markup is insane. employees get 40% off. Fourty. percent. anything except electronics.

i'm also the chef in my house, and its great that they have such a good selection, but your local restaurant supply store is the best bet I think.

 

[motobrewer]

I think the williams sonoma is selling the real thermapen...I might be mistaken...

see, I don't believe they are, but they're counting that people will think it is.

they look kind of similar, but not that much...

EDIT:
WS's is "made in china"

real deal is "made in UK"

 

[broadbill]

see, I don't believe they are, but they're counting that people will think it is.

they look kind of similar, but not that much...

EDIT:
WS's is "made in china"

real deal is "made in UK"

a link to the product we were discussing would have been nice!

 

[motobrewer]

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/prod...CTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

 

[the_bird]

Unless this is going on a wedding registry (or you get the employee discount), I'm confused why you'd even consider anything other that the *real* Thermapen.

 

[motobrewer]

(or you get the employee discount)

yeah, i can. my sister works at pottery barn. electrics are like 20% off.

 

[the_bird]

yeah, i can. my sister works at pottery barn. electrics are like 20% off.

Me personally? I'd buy a Thermopen for $96 before I bought this for $80.

Never heard anyone complain about their Thermopen - is it really worth it to save maybe $16?

 

[motobrewer]

listen, i wasn't ever going to buy it, i was kind of putting this out as a PSA that the WS pen is NOT a thermapen.

 

[samc]

mixed reviews on Amazon, looks like the same thing.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q4TQI0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[rico567]

I have to chime in here, same message: no way in the world would I save $20 to buy that instead of a real Thermapen.™ I treated myself to one when I started brewing AG, wish I'd had it all along. I do a lot of cooking and baking and it's also wonderful to use in the kitchen

 

[pj_rage]

I almost bought this same one, because I liked the display better and I know it's stupid, but having the reference of "doneness" of different meats/etc printed right on it is pretty convenient. This was all assuming that the primary function, near instant temperature reading, worked as well as the "real" thermapen. In the end, I couldn't get enough info on it, and came to the same conclusion that a lot of people here have... that it wasn't worth saving $20 and any aesthetic bonuses if it didn't work as well, and since I couldn't be sure, I got a thermapen and love it! Just be careful not to get any wort in it, as that sticky stuff wreaks havoc if it gets in the joint where it rotates.