Thermometer Lab Long Glass 0-110c

[Amber Fluid]

Does anyone use one of THESE thermometers?

Are there cheaper ones available that will do the same job. I have a cheap digital thermometer but feel that it may not be as accurate as one like this.

Any opinions on this one or if someone could provide a link to a cheaper one that is accurate and will be good for BIAB in an urn, I would really appreciate it.

 

[Darkman]

Does anyone use one of THESE thermometers?

Are there cheaper ones available that will do the same job. I have a cheap digital thermometer but feel that it may not be as accurate as one like this.

Any opinions on this one or if someone could provide a link to a cheaper one that is accurate and will be good for BIAB in an urn, I would really appreciate it.

Yes, you can get them online form www.wiltronics.com.au for 1.33c each if you buy 10 or more or 1.66 each for one only.

 

[Wolfy]

Does anyone use one of THESE thermometers?

I had 2, but the buggers don't bounce when I drop them on the floor, so now I have none.
Need to get a couple more, because like you, I doubt the accuracy of my cheap/easy digi-thermometer.

 

[QldKev]

Thise ones Darkman linked to seem pretty cheap.

I use a stc-1000 for my BIAB brewing. Just doesn't have anything plugged into the outputs. Nice clear easy to read display and you don't have to stand there holding the thing. Always have though about plugging something like a radio in to the stc-1000, so when the strike water is about 5/10c before temp it comes on to warm me.

I use One of these to calibrate the stc-1000



QldKev

 

[Amber Fluid]

OMG... Darkman, your bloody is worth bottling!!... :beerbang:

It is amazing how resourceful AHB really is.

By the sounds of Wolfy, I probably should order a number of them.

There are both Mercury and Spirit ones so does it really matter which to get?
Obviously the yellow ones would be the easiest to read.

 

[argon]

OMG... Darkman, your bloody is worth bottling!!... :beerbang:

It is amazing how resourceful AHB really is.

By the sounds of Wolfy, I probably should order a number of them.

There are both Mercury and Spirit ones so does it really matter which to get?
Obviously the yellow ones would be the easiest to read.

too right... just bought 3 of the cheapest ones.... i'll be doing as QLDKev does, using the STC to monitor temps and the Glass Thermometer as calibration

 

[Amber Fluid]

Thise ones Darkman linked to seem pretty cheap.

I use a stc-1000 for my BIAB brewing. Just doesn't have anything plugged into the outputs. Nice clear easy to read display and you don't have to stand there holding the thing. Always have though about plugging something like a radio in to the stc-1000, so when the strike water is about 5/10c before temp it comes on to warm me.

I use One of these to calibrate the stc-1000



QldKev

Kev, I have often thought about using an STC1000 but was never exactly sure how I'd want to go about it.... I mean to say, I really don't want to put a thermowell in and just thought that the temperture would be too hot to just submerse the probe in the brew.

How have you rigged yours up?... I am assuming in a Thermowell

 

[Darkman]

OMG... Darkman, your bloody is worth bottling!!... :beerbang:

It is amazing how resourceful AHB really is.

By the sounds of Wolfy, I probably should order a number of them.

There are both Mercury and Spirit ones so does it really matter which to get?
Obviously the yellow ones would be the easiest to read.

I bought 10 about two years ago when they where only 99c each and have managed to break 6 so far so I'd definately buy a few as backup. They sell other lab gear which seem reasonably priced too.

 

[malt_shovel]

OMG... Darkman, your bloody is worth bottling!!... :beerbang:

It is amazing how resourceful AHB really is.

By the sounds of Wolfy, I probably should order a number of them.

There are both Mercury and Spirit ones so does it really matter which to get?
Obviously the yellow ones would be the easiest to read.

I would keep mercury far far away from anything you intend to consume.

I would go (and I use myself) the spirit thermometers

 

[stux]

I've had (and broken) a few of these

In the end I use a digital probe food safety type thermometer now, seems about as accurate and much much quicker to take a reading

 

[Wolfy]

By the sounds of Wolfy, I probably should order a number of them.

There are both Mercury and Spirit ones so does it really matter which to get?
Obviously the yellow ones would be the easiest to read.

4 of them will cost about $12 inc shipping, which is cheaper than the single one you linked in your first post.

I presume Mercury is more accurate, but given how easily they break, I'll be getting some more Spirit ones, no way I want to clean up mercury from around/in my brewing gear.
These ones seem like they'll do the job well enough for me: LQ10110S - SPIRIT THERMOMETER WHITE -10 TO 110 deg C

 

[argon]

I would keep mercury far far away from anything you intend to consume.

I would go (and I use myself) the spirit thermometers

Agreed. My plan is to only use them to calibrate the digital ones. So will be nowhere consumables. I think putting them in to the mash, HLT or fermenting wort is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Amber Fluid]

Well I just bought 10 of the Spirit ones now which cost me $18.80 including freight to Tassie.

The difference between spirit and mercury is not so much the accuracy but at which points they freeze and boil at. Apparently spirits (alcohol) freezes at a lower temp than mercury and will boil at a lower temp as well. So basically mercury for high temps and spirits for low temps, neither of which affects our brewing uses.

I figured if I broke a mercury one near the brewery I'd just have to reluctantly ditch the lot which was a chance I was going to take. However, since I have 2 kids under 3yo, then if for whatever reason they get hold of one and break it, I would rather it be alcohol than mercury going into their system!!... of course I would try my hardest not to let this happen but you just never know what kids get up to until sometimes it is too late.

 

[QldKev]

Kev, I have often thought about using an STC1000 but was never exactly sure how I'd want to go about it.... I mean to say, I really don't want to put a thermowell in and just thought that the temperture would be too hot to just submerse the probe in the brew.

How have you rigged yours up?... I am assuming in a Thermowell

Just probe into the water, no thermowell etc. They are rated to 99c so no problems with using it for temps up to mash out. I use a peg on the side of the pot and drop the cord through it to help it stop it from falling out.

At the moment I am using the one planned to run my HLT, but if you don't have one spare I can't see when the one that runs a fridge couldn't be used. A couple of hours without power shouldn't allow the temp to change too far.

QldKev

 

[Amber Fluid]

Just probe into the water, no thermowell etc. They are rated to 99c so no problems with using it for temps up to mash out. I use a peg on the side of the pot and drop the cord through it to help it stop it from falling out.

At the moment I am using the one planned to run my HLT, but if you don't have one spare I can't see when the one that runs a fridge couldn't be used. A couple of hours without power shouldn't allow the temp to change too far.

QldKev

That's great reassurance thanks mate. I have one on my fermenting fridge and one going on a chesty I am converting now.

I agree, I see no reason why I couldn't use one of them for a couple of hours.

 

[katzke]

Got one of the spirit ones and a stainless sheath to protect it. They can be off. The good part is they are easy to correct with a chart. Not sure about the cheep ones.

Would not trust a cheep one and when you get them test them to see how they read in ice and boil. Also check mid range. I bet they are cheep because the quality control is lower. Results may be interesting.

Glass sticks need to be stored standing up. They also come in different versions as to how far they need to be immersed to be accurate. My good one has a line on it to tell how far it needs to be in the wort.

People that break glass thermometers and hydros when brewing should drink beer out of plastic cups.

 

[MHB]

Guys please dont let the natural instinct to be tight override an ability to think.
Glass thermometers like everything else come in various qualities, there are really good ones that can be had for $10-20, and completely useless crap that I have seen offered for just a couple of bucks.
The first time I brought in a job lot of cheap ones there was a 20oC degree spread across them they went in the bin.
Buy one good thermometer you can trust

Just a couple of point to consider
Thermometers come in two families, total and partial immersion, I sell total immersion to mash brewers because they work better, if the retailer doesnt know or wont tell which is on offer dont buy it. Using a good thermometer the wrong way can put you 2-3 degrees out.
Mercury is very bad news; the only Mercury thermometers around here are certified calibration thermometers worth $400-$500 used to check/calibrate other thermometers. Dont take mercury anywhere near youre brewing, either ingredients or equipment.

This is one of those times where trying to save money really is totally the wrong question invest in a good thermometer.
Mark