Thermometer question

[Jimmy]

What are you guys using for brewing thermometers? I didn't get any installed in my keggles and have been using a plain 'ole glass brewing thermometer, only problem is I can't read it with all the steam rising during the cold weather. Anyone have a solution, other than installing thermometers directly in the keggles? I was hoping to use a wireless digital thermometer, but they seem to be inaccurate, and prone to water damage (even with some of the "fixes" available online).

Anyone ever try a temperature gun?

[John G]

Temperature guns are only truly accurate when you can account for the emissivity of the surface you are measuring. Many of the more expensive IR thermometers have an emissitivity option. Since you will be measuring mash and water surfaces which have different emissitivities, this thermometer will not likely be suitable for brewing. I've been using a lollipop-style digital thermometer ever since I broke my glass candy making thermometer that I used for more than a decade. It's accurate, used in the food industry and stabilizes quickly at the recording temperature. You can Google "Lollipop thermometer" and find quite a few places that sell them. We use them at work in our processing plant and they are durable and reliable. I do calibration checks on them weekly and I've never had to discard any for being out of calibration by more than 0.5˚C. Hope that helps.

[mr x]

Ditch the IR gun. I have one, and they aren't accurate enough in a humid environment for your needs. I always double check my MLT with glass, to the point of not bothering with digital anymore. i like my installed gauge on the HLT though. You can get double probe units from thermoworks and on ebay that are tough and work. i use one for brewing and on the Primo.

[Jimmy]

It does make most sense to have one installed on the HLT. I can normally read the mast temp with my glass thermometer, and I don't really care about the boil kettle. The dial thermometer would make it nice and easy to take a quick look at the HLT, without having sit there holding a thermometer, and waiting for it to reach proper strike water temp. I'm just scared I will smash it off while I am cleaning the keggle.

[mr x]

The prospect of smashing stuff is always hanging overhead. If you went with a thermowell or swagelok fittings, the gauge can easily be removed.

[sleepyjamie]

i purchased some industrial analog thermometers from a company in burnside (can't remember which one). the guy said they are the most accurate thermometers available.

they come in a variety of sizes.

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