Stupid Inaccurate Thermometers!!

[adiochiro3]

My last 3 batches have turned out very poorly -- and I think I've discovered why. A while back I found that my floating thermometer had broken, so I had to use a digital thermometer instead.

Even though I had checked the digital against boiling water and in the freezer, I still didn't trust it, but I had no option. Since then I acquired 2 new thermometers, and -- compared to them -- it reads high by about 9 degrees in the mash temperature zone, which means I mashed way too low, ruining my starch-to-sugar conversion and changing the profile of the beer. (These were beers I have successfully brewed before -- with the floating thermometer.)

It's enough to piss off the Good Humor Man, and I'm not the Good Humor Man!

The take away is: check your thermometers and have reliable backups.

 

[cpa4ny]

James - get a Thermapen and never look back.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GIZZWM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

They are pricy, but in my view they are worth every penny.

 

[gwapogorilla]

I use this one and love it!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XS7WTG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I use it for both my BBQ and for brewing. It has an infrared built in, which reads within 1* of the probe. When I want to check the fermentation temp on my carboy, I don't have to pull the bung off, worry about sanitizing, worry about oxidizing, or worry about adding a contaminate. I just use the infrared...it's the sh@t!

 

[brewbama]

I also use thermapen and just ordered the chef's alarm (timer and thermometer in one unit).


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[JonM]

The "Stupid inaccurate thermometers" sentiment and messed up batches is exactly why I got my Thermapen. Worth every penny.

 

[beergolf]

Another vote for Thermapen. After I got it I wondered why I waited so long to get one.

I use it just as much in the kitchen when I am cooking. Great device.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I bought my Thermapen for smoking, but it's more important for brewing.

 

[JonM]

And it has completely eliminated all my fears about grilling fish. It makes it SO easy to keep a close eye on the fish's internal temp and it prevents me from over- or under-cooking it.