| Author |
Message |
    
Carl A. Wixon
New Member
Username: Cwixon
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 67.149.67.117
| | Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 03:15 am: | 
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This is the most excellent forum I've been a part of- must be run/used by some helpful people. <cheers>
I've gotten to the point where I'm fed up with my analog thermometer. Being an electrical engineer I need precision. I'm asking for any advice on getting a good digital thermometer. I'd like it if I could set warnings (when temp exceeds max allowable) and clipping the thing to a pot is a bonus. If you don't mind I'd really appreciate some guidance from anyone before I make this purchase
"Sometimes the most intelligent drink beer to deal with the fools that surround him"
•••• Bush!!
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Chris Fahrenkopf
New Member
Username: Newerbrewer
Post Number: 10
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.188.225.229
| | Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 03:46 am: |
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My wife got me this one last Saturday, after hearing me complain about the same thing:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=11720307
We get coupons from this place like once a week (wife must be a frequent shopper). Anyhow comes to about $16 after tax and works great. I used it on Monday and set the alarm to go at 190deg to avoid boilover and multi-task. Also, I can use it to externally monitor my beer fridge temp on non-brew (aka drinking) days.
Don't know how precise it is but it is a huge improvement for me. Only disadvantage I see so far is that the probe isn't very long, so either the brew pot has to be near full or you will need to rig something to keep the wire dry.
Hope this helps,
Chris |
ELK
Senior Member
Username: Elkski
Post Number: 1233
Registered: 01-2003
Posted From: 67.177.25.240
| | Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 04:26 am: |
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Those type of probes are great with the alarm setting and all but they dont last long with that braided cable sheild getting wet... I guess some folks glue on a tube sleeve to protect it but hte problem is when these things go bad you can't always tell right away!!! They just deveate and fluctuate... |
Bob Boufford
Intermediate Member
Username: Bobb
Post Number: 291
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 68.149.204.160
| | Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 05:18 am: |
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Carl,
If you are concerned about accuracy, check out the various suppliers of lab equipment. I like VWR (http://www.vwr.com) because they have a Canadian distributor. If you search the forum archives, you will find mention of other suppliers. Some of the digital thermometers are similar to the ones from the kitchen stores but have a replacable probe. |
Little Dipper
Junior Member
Username: Littledipper
Post Number: 26
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 206.114.61.195
| | Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 01:12 pm: |
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I'll second the VWR thermometer. I recently got one after having little luck with kitchen thermometers. The VWR is entirely waterproof (including the cord and the display unit), gives you the max./min. temps if you want them, and has a long cord that's easy to get into wherever you need it. The response is incredible compared to cheaper thermometers. It updates every second so you get accurate readings in no time. I've been very happy with mine.
I had one of those digital ones with the alarm on it as well. It lasted about 2 batches before I learned that the cord couldn't get wet. Lets just say it's just used as a timer these days. |
ELK
Senior Member
Username: Elkski
Post Number: 1235
Registered: 01-2003
Posted From: 67.177.25.240
| | Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 01:36 pm: |
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I should have mentioned that Im on my second VWR!!
My second one is the unit called the lollipop because that is what it looks like. it is still working but I miss the long probe. I did drop it into the mash last time (head and all) and it kept working.. A agree about the temp response and they are supposed to be calibrated. but the head on my first one sufered from use and was not up to the task. first the battery cover flimsy plastic prongs that lock it in when you twist broke off and I think the electronics never had a chance from there.. It went bonkers and reads -34 always.. |
Carl A. Wixon
New Member
Username: Cwixon
Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 67.149.67.117
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 01:21 am: |
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Did anyone buy the big digit 4 alarm thermometer from vwr?? http://www.vwrsp.com/catalog/product/index.cgi?object_id=0013438&resultNum=7
I'm thinking about buying it, but the probes look rather small.
"Sometimes the most intelligent drink beer to deal with the fools that surround him"
•••• Bush!!
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Tim W
Member
Username: Timw
Post Number: 179
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 56.0.143.24
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 03:02 pm: |
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Carl,
The temperature range would be to low to check your strike temp. of 162 to 170 degree F. Or to check your sparge temp. of 165 to 175 degrees F.
They also don't mention that it is waterproof. |
Ken Anderson
Senior Member
Username: Ken75
Post Number: 1184
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 69.168.141.10
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 03:08 pm: |
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Call me lucky, but this one has served me well. Just don't get liquid inside the probe.
http://www.kitchencollection.com/Temp_Products.cfm?sku=01060880&RankThis=Y&Searc hed=thermometer& |
Tim W
Member
Username: Timw
Post Number: 180
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 56.0.143.24
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 03:27 pm: |
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Ken,
Your Lucky 
p.s. have you used the Extersion Chiller yet?
hijack |
Ken Anderson
Senior Member
Username: Ken75
Post Number: 1185
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 69.168.141.10
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 03:36 pm: |
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I just got my gearmotor this morning. I'm building an automatic stirrer, which I've ALWAYS wanted, regardless of IC or EC. It will mount onto one of those plastic lids I have. Also, last night I bought this big pan that the BK cooling water will drip into, for the second stage of cooling, which is the recirculating of ice water. But with it so cold outside, the hose water might work well enough.
Tuesday at the latest I'll brew, and will report back in a new thread. And thanks for the hole size/location info.
Now to un-hijack this thread.
Ken |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 4066
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.229.8
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 05:36 pm: |
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Ken, consider yourself *very* lucky. Those cheap kitchen digital thermometer/timers are c r a p. |
Carl A. Wixon
New Member
Username: Cwixon
Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 67.149.67.117
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 06:04 pm: |
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My bad!! I meant to post this one. There is no pictures of it, but it is "splashproof" and can easily handle the temp range I'm looking for...
http://www.vwrsp.com/catalog/product/?catalog_number=61161-282&resultNum=1
"Sometimes the most intelligent drink beer to deal with the fools that surround him"
•••• Bush!!
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Bob Boufford
Intermediate Member
Username: Bobb
Post Number: 292
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 68.149.174.16
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 06:42 pm: |
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Carl,
I have this thermometer/timer from VWR, http://www.vwrsp.com/catalog/product/index.cgi?object_id=0013436&class_id=500386 9
It's similar to some of the kitchen therm/timers mentioned in the thread. I use the alarm when heating up strike and sparge water. I like also like the timer that starts counting up after times up.
For any of the braided cable probes, definitely invest in some heat shrink tubing. |
Tim Polster
Member
Username: Bassman
Post Number: 179
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 69.149.44.173
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 08:59 pm: |
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I purchased an industrial unit from the HVAC world from Ebay for about $35.
Do a search for digital thermometer in "business & industrial"
It is digital, has a probe and is very quick and accurate.
I tried the thermometers from the consumer stores and they all took too long to settle on a temperature.
Good luck!
(Message edited by Bassman on December 03, 2005) |
Brews and Views Archive 2005 
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