I know a lot of us have had the problem of the meat thermometers going into conniptions if the probe is left in a liquid. Well, I carefully straightened the probe to get rid of that shepherds crook shape and and fitted some shrink tube (6mm.) on the braided lead and 3/4 down the probe itself. I have just done another brew leaving the probe immersed in both the HLT and the mash and the thermometer has stayed spot on thru the whole process.