Recommend a thermometer...

[zeggie]

Not having much luck with digital thermometers in my BIAB urn!

So far I've killed one of these (just suddenly stopped working after 1 month)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DIGITAL-COOKING-FOOD-MEAT-PROBE-THERMOMETER-kitchen-/220941835365?pt=AU_Utensils&hash=item337128dc65&_uhb=1

Read some reviews, spent a bit more $$$ and bought one of these (died after 2 months. Just spazz's out. Removing battery etc doesnt help.)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CDN-ProAccurate-Quick-Read-Waterproof-Pocket-Thermometer-With-Sheath-DT450X-/291001422733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c109538d&_uhb=1


So the question is, what does everyone out there use reliably? Do I shell out for a thermapen that seem to be highly recommended http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Splash-Proof-Super-Fast-Thermapen-Food-Thermometer-/370935028709?pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&var=&hash=item565d735be5

Or the other thought is do I buy something with a remote probe (might survive better) keeping in mind I never submerged or got my other thermometers wet at all?
Or do I go analogue?

Opinions would be very much appreciated!

 

[bum]

spent a bit more $$$

$15?

Regardless, how about you spend your money on something without circuitry in it? Strange idea, I know. The old ways often stick around amongst the new stuff for a reason.

 

[damoninja]

I got a $12 digital one from big w. I even dropped it into some and it kept on working :icon_drool2:

 

[manticle]

Whatever it was some of, I'm sure that emoticon is wrong.

Not incorrect - just wrong.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

Good old mashmaster big round thermometer. Robust and easy to read.

 

[wbosher]

STC-1000 calibrated against a few other thermometers.

 

[damoninja]

Whatever it was some of, I'm sure that emoticon is wrong.

Not incorrect - just wrong.

Blarg.

Dropped it into some water.

The emoticon was to portray my retardedness of dropping it into water. :lol:

 

[bcp]

STC-1000 calibrated against a few other thermometers.

I shifted to this because I can keep the probe in right through the mash.

 

[superstock]

Don't need other thermometers to calibrate. Water boils @ 100'c/212'F

 

[wbosher]

Don't need other thermometers to calibrate. Water boils @ 100'c/212'F

Not always, depends on altitude, but that being a little pedantic.

The reason I calibrate with other thermometers is to test the mashing range. I've found that sometimes it might be bang on at either freezing or boiling, it might be a few degrees out at 66.

 

[slash22000]

I highly recommend the Thermapen if you want to spend the money. I bought one from the exact eBay store you linked above OP, refurbished, arrived in a couple of weeks and works perfectly. Cost something like $60 all told including postage, which I don't think is unreasonably expensive given what you're getting.

If you don't want to spend that much, grab one of these: http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt600c.html

It takes longer to get a final reading than the Thermapen and it doesn't come with a calibration certificate, but comparing my old RT600C to my new Thermapen they come out pretty much the same as each other every time.

 

[Weizguy]

Good old mashmaster big round thermometer. Robust and easy to read.

But often inaccurate, in my experience

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

Yeah...they do need regular calibrating in boiling water

 

[pedleyr]

I highly recommend the Thermapen if you want to spend the money. I bought one from the exact eBay store you linked above OP, refurbished, arrived in a couple of weeks and works perfectly. Cost something like $60 all told including postage, which I don't think is unreasonably expensive given what you're getting.

If you don't want to spend that much, grab one of these: http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt600c.html

It takes longer to get a final reading than the Thermapen and it doesn't come with a calibration certificate, but comparing my old RT600C to my new Thermapen they come out pretty much the same as each other every time.


I looked at the rt600c this week - postage was almost as much as the thermometer. Psychologically I couldn't bring myself to do that, which is oddly irrational given that I'd happily pay $40 for a thermometer.

Anyone know of Australian dealers for thermoworks?

 

[Phoney]

I bought a $30 digital thermometer from House - those kitchen supply stores you find in shopping centers. I also bought a glass lab thermometer from Livingstone for $5 LINK. Tested the former with the latter, and it's spot on.

 

[Natdene]

I use the good old stick thermometer about $15, good for measuring strike temp as you can stir up the water with it, only down side is don't drop it

Thanks for the link above - some good prices

 

[billygoat]

I have one of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HANNA-CHECKTEMP-DIGITAL-THERMOMETER-HI98509-Centigrade-/300322966012?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45eca4c9fc, works well.

 

[zeggie]

Lots of good recommendations thanks guys!

In the meantime I've bought a cheap $10 analogue thermometer to get me by and have ordered a refurbed Thermapen.
From the reviews overseas, homebrewing/cooking websites it seems to be the best and very durable (which is what I need!)

From my Google-Fu it seems all the cheap Taylor, CDN, no name digital thermometers suffer the same problem. When they get water in the probe they go haywire.

 

[QldKev]

STC-1000 calibrated against a few other thermometers.

This ^^^^

Buy a glass alcohol filled calibration thermometer (I paid about half this for mine), and a stc for day to day use.

The stc you just dangle the probe into the mash and leave it there. Then you can read the display from a distance.

 

[Mr. No-Tip]

Thermapens are the tits, FWIW.