Thermometer

[jeffpn]

Really, you're talking to the wrong person. I'm busy enough!

 

[Brew Cat]

Has anyone used something like this?

Etekcity Lasergrip 1022 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer with Adjustable EMS & MAX Display, Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013X0NQT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cJrbyb9ZG1D8S

I use one to check my fermentation temp just reading the outside though which is close enough for me. I can check grain temp also but for the mash you need at least a long stem so you can get an accurate temp from the middle. By the way mine reads Fahrenheit

 

[jeffpn]

Ok, side question. Why is the middle the accurate temperature? I always stir my mash thoroughly before checking. It should all be the same temperature

 

[Mark D Pirate]

Really, you're talking to the wrong person. I'm busy enough!

Sorry about the rant , wasted 2 hours yesterday converting plans to metric !!
Back on topic now

 

[Brew Cat]

Ok, side question. Why is the middle the accurate temperature? I always stir my mash thoroughly before checking. It should all be the same temperature

I'm sure if it's stirred well you could use the infrared.

 

[Nosybear]

Whats wrong with C ? Think you guys are the only ones still using such an outdated system

If I could change it, I would.

 

[Thormonsta]

I'm happy enough with the one MarylandBrewer mentioned above. It's a .5°F off, and I haven't checked to see if it can be calibrated. Close enough for me.

Thanks

 

[Head First]

If I could change it, I would.

I remember the push to change over. Should have started changing then. This inch pound thing is a PITA.

 

[GFHomebrew]

Well my secondary education was American and I live in Aus so I'm stuck in limbo imperial or metric .

 

[Mark D Pirate]

Sorry again for turning this thread into a Metric Vs US units
i have learned to deal with your units but they frustrate me

 

[jeffpn]

i have learned to deal with your units but they frustrate me

Same here.

 

[Nosybear]

Same here.

I've lived overseas so I'm comfortable with both sets of units. Metric is so much nicer, for example, if you want x ppm of a substance in a solution, in metric it's x grams per liter. In conventional units, it's 0.14 ounces/gallon. But I don't see Americans converting to Metric in our lifetime. Hijacked thread, I know....

 

[jeffpn]

I'm pretty sure most Americans understand conversion is easier when all you have to do is move a decimal point. But I'll bet you my American dollar vs. your metric dollar that we never convert!!

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

really the us is silently converting everything already. theres probably more but I'm seeing the only real non metric is measurements and the money

 

[jeffpn]

I'm seeing the only real non metric is measurements and the money

I'm not following you. What metric components are you saying have been silently converted? The metric system IS a system of measurements.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

all manufactures, nuts bolts hardware, cars, tvs, electronics and much more, too busy today to be technical sorry

 

[Cavpilot2000]

Back to the thermometer discussion, I've been using the Thermopen for over a year now and it is simply the best thing I have ever seen for this purpose.
http://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Thermapen&utm_term=thermapen&utm_content=thermapen - exact

I first saw it on Brulospohy, as that whole team uses them, and I was in the market for a new thermometer solution.
The downside is that it is expensive.
The upside: instant readings, display rotates as needed (like your phone's display), and automatically illuminates in low light.
Also I've been using it extensively for over a year and I'm still on the original battery.
Can't say enough good about it.

And no, I am not a paid spokesperson or anything of the sort - just a satisfied user offering my suggestion to your question.
Cheers!

 

[Mark D Pirate]

damn me and my rant ....hijacked the thread
Those Thermapens do look like a nice bit of kit , knowing me i'd drop it in my mash and kill it !

$180 Aussie .... (inc shipping ) ouch !

 

[jeffpn]

That thermapen looks a lot like the thermometer someone mentioned earlier that I ended up buying. Mine was much cheaper! As long as it lasts for me, I'll save the money to be off by only a quarter degree Celsius.

 

[Thurston Brewer]

I'm sure if it's stirred well you could use the infrared.

The thing to remember about infrared thermometers is that they are sensitive to the color of whatever your measuring. Different colors emit infrared radiation at different rates even if they're the same temperature. You need to calibrate an infrared thermo to what you are trying to measure, and if you have an accurate reading on something light (say, pale malt grains) you won't get an accurate reading on something dark (say, dark beer wort).

I think I would always trust a physical thermometer more than infrared, unless you have a complete chart of thermal emissivity values for each thing you plan to measure.