Thermometer

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Daz1737
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Thermometer

Post by Daz1737 » Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:38 pm

Can anyone recommend a digital thermometer with a decent length probe? Willing to pay up to £15. Thanks

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Re: Thermometer

Post by IPA » Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:32 am

You wont regret buying one of these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-function ... 193&sr=8-8
The probe unclips from the body and the lead is 90 cm long. Packed with features such as over temperature alarm. Memory functions etc.
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Jocky
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Re: Thermometer

Post by Jocky » Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:32 am

Not sure I can recommend under £15, but plenty of people like the Inkbird IHT-1P (currently £17.74 on Amazon).

For me the ultimate brewing thermometer is the Thermapen Pro - currently £39.99. It’s very fast reading, turns itself off to save battery and it’s waterproof, which is very useful with brewing. https://thermapen.co.uk/thermapen-therm ... meter.html
I bought one over 5 years ago now and it’s not missed a beat, I’ve changed the batteries in it once.

Don’t buy the slightly cheaper ‘classic’ model, it’s not waterproof.
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MashBag
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Re: Thermometer

Post by MashBag » Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:37 am

Ask yourself, do you need a probe at all?

I prefer an infrared thermometer, Non-Contact and easy to use & clean. My goto for everything, everytime except meat.

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Re: Thermometer

Post by guypettigrew » Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:00 pm

MashBag wrote:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:37 am
Ask yourself, do you need a probe at all?

I prefer an infrared thermometer, Non-Contact and easy to use & clean. My goto for everything, everytime except meat.

https://amzn.eu/d/4AIc0Cl
Don't forget, though, IR thermometers only measure surface temperature. If you want to measure the temperature of your mash, for example, you need something you can plunge into it.

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Daz1737
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Re: Thermometer

Post by Daz1737 » Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:30 pm

Thanks for the advice.

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Re: Thermometer

Post by MashBag » Thu Oct 20, 2022 6:19 am

guypettigrew wrote:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:00 pm
MashBag wrote:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:37 am
Ask yourself, do you need a probe at all?

I prefer an infrared thermometer, Non-Contact and easy to use & clean. My goto for everything, everytime except meat.

https://amzn.eu/d/4AIc0Cl
Don't forget, though, IR thermometers only measure surface temperature. If you want to measure the temperature of your mash, for example, you need something you can plunge into it.

Guy
The surface is normally accurate in fluid IME, temperature lamination isn't too big an issue in small batches. Although I do see it in 300 / 400 litre ferments. A gentle stir helps if concerned.

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Thermometer

Post by LeeH » Tue Oct 25, 2022 8:22 pm

Thermapen is still king.

IR is useless for the most part.
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MashBag
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Re: Thermometer

Post by MashBag » Wed Oct 26, 2022 6:22 am

I have got to ask why?

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Re: Thermometer

Post by MashBag » Wed Oct 26, 2022 6:36 am

I do like the self powered digital ones, very nearly fitted one to the shower.

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LeeH
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Thermometer

Post by LeeH » Thu Oct 27, 2022 7:38 am

MashBag wrote:I have got to ask why?
Because you are only measuring surface temps, which are not helpful.

In my tests the difference between an IR gun and a probe in a thermowell is considerable.
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Re: Thermometer

Post by guypettigrew » Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:32 am

That's two of us advising against an IR gun, both for the same reason.

Guy

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Re: Thermometer

Post by LeeH » Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:54 am

You can get a few degrees difference depending depending on distance to the object too. This is because the measuring area increases the further away the gun is.

Useless.

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Re: Thermometer

Post by clarets7 » Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:20 pm

LeeH wrote:
Thu Oct 27, 2022 7:38 am
In my tests the difference between an IR gun and a probe in a thermowell is considerable.
When you say considerable what does that mean - what was the actual difference?
I use an IR gun as well as Inkpen and other thermocouples, I use the IR gun just as a rough check at various stages - wort below 80C for aroma hops, below 25C so I can run it off into the fermentor, then a rough check to see if I've got to the temperature I want to pitch the yeast at. So really not bothered as long as it's roughly in the right area. The only downside is that every time I use it our Cocker Spaniel thinks it's playtime :lol: :lol:
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MashBag
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Re: Thermometer

Post by MashBag » Thu Oct 27, 2022 6:02 pm

LeeH wrote:
Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:54 am
You can get a few degrees difference depending depending on distance to the object too. This is because the measuring area increases the further away the gun is.

Useless.

Image
I am not sure if you have used one?
I have for many years to great effect. They are also recommended by trading standards.

Each to their own, of course.

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