Does anyone have any experience using Thermopro digital thermometers? If not this particular brand, any other ones you'd recommend? Thanks in advance.
I'm not familiar with Thermopro. But I have two thermapens and I love them. They're fast and accurate. I use them for brewing and for smoking.
Price-wise, it's a sh*t-load cleaper than a Thermapen - which, even at damn near $100, is the bee's knee's, IMO, and I'd replace it with another one if the need should arise. Quality-wise? Who knows? (which I guess is the point of your question ) I wouldn't dismiss it simply because of the price, but neither would I have high hopes for it. At that price, it might be worth just getting one and see how you like it.
I use a thermopop from the company that makes the thermopen. I like it, and the large round face is easy to read and eaasy to hold on to.
I used a very cheap liquid thermometer at first, then went to the Thermopen, which might be the most expensive common option. I am sure that there are good options in between "cheapest" and "most expensive", but in my limited experience I would recommend the Thermopen. If you want to save money, just don't go too cheap. Look for something that is either verifiably accurate or easily calibrated, and also look for something that will give you reasonably quick readings. I personally put some value on a larger readout, which I can read with or without my glasses on, too.
Experience suggests that you should keep a spare on hand for the inevitable time when it craps out just when you need it. IOW, buy two. I don't mean to pile on, and I might kick myself someday, but I don't feel the need for a spare with the Thermapen.
I bought a spare thermapen when they went on sale a few years ago. I haven't needed it (as a spare) yet, but it's nice to have the extra one around when I need one and it's closer at the moment.
I am personally very happy with this digital thermometer: http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt301wa.html If a read time of 5-6 seconds is too slow for you then purchase the more expensive Thermopen. Cheers!
I tried to buy the Thermapen about 3-4 years ago and they were slap out of them in the US. Only could get them from the UK, so I went with this model telling myself I would get one when this one died, but it hasn't. I like it and the infrared comes in handy for testing grill temps and such Taylor 9360N
Thanks for all the input. Luckily my kettle has a pretty accurate thermometer, just want to get one for a second opinion and reading more towards the middle/top.
Hard to beat a Thermapen. I've had two.. Gave my old one to my brother who's a chef, and got the new MK4. Use it for cooking/smoking/grilling and double duty when I brew. You won't find a better alternative in the same class, but you can probably find something cheaper, and close enough if you look to their lower end stuff.
I have a bunch of thermemoeters on hand, including an IR one (I mostly use that one to get a quick gauge of where the hot liquor is heating up to. I have a candy thermometer I mostly use in the mash, and a couple of the ThermaPen brand ones, not the Pen itself, but the cheaper one, something 600 model, I think. I use that for more precise readings of water and mash, plus again when cooling.
I use a polder thermometer, has a jacketed cord with a long metal point that holds up well (been using one for a couple of years now with lots of brews on it), also has a timer, temp alarm, etc. I like being able to constantly measure mash temps and monitor as the wort is heated to boiling so I can lower the temp as I approach the boil.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt600c.html Here's the one I have. Also from Thermoworks, the company that brought us Thermopen tm. Since I bought it, it seems like they now come in multiple colors, so there's that. I'm happy with it for all my kitchen/brewhouse uses. It's much more affordable than Thermopen tm. The trade off is a longer read time and smaller digital display.
Been threw a few digitals where the electronics gets near the steam. Eventually they fail for me. I've been happy with the type that has a cord a couple feet you use for oven baking. That way just dunk the end of cable in the wort and read it. No problems since.
That's the Achilles's heel of most electronic probe thermometers. Thermapen is water resistant, which is probably key to its longevity. The new MK4 is advertised as "Waterproof to IP67", so I'm guessing it will fare even better.
