Digital Thermometer

Do not buy a Thermopro, notorious for blanking (only dashes display) the readout after less than a year. I Just got a Javelin Pro but I haven’t used it yet and can’t provide feedback.

 

My Inkbird digital works well.
Several folks will recommend Thermapen. I don't see them on Amazon, so maybe they're only available from the mfg, Thermoworks?

You can test yours in ice-water and boiling water to see which one is most accurate.

Is it your understanding that Thermopro and Thermoworks/Thermapen are two different brands?

 

I use Thermapens for brewing and for Smoking/Grilling, and have for many years. Fast and accurate. Mine have needed battery changes, but never re-calibration. Note: not to be confused with Thermopro.

 

The Inkbird I linked to has a permanent battery that is recharged by USB. Not really sure if that's a pro or a con.

 

I should have included the model number Thermopro TP19

 

They are two different brands (and two different companies). Just to add to the confusion, the external design of Thermopro's instant read thermometers is very similar to the Thermapen. Maybe not coincidental.

 

i've used this model for years.
39 USD

from the makers of thermopen ...
Executive Series - EXEC™ Thermometer
https://www.thermoworks.com/executive-series-exec/

 

No digital here. Can combine analog, infrared, and medical-grade stick-on.
For the mash and boil, I go for an analog. They are usually really fast (seconds) and can be braced to the kettle for continuous readings. And you can place the probe further into the mash than some digitals.
If you don't have an inner-fermenter gauge (ideal), you can use infrared and/or stick-on. Even though it sounds cheesy, stick-on gauges can measure very accurately. Remember it's an external, transmembrane temp.

Exactly.
Also you can test your own temperature (hopefully around 98.6F).

 

Follow up: Javelin duo pro was not within the specified +/-0.9F (off at least 2F) and has no ability to be adjusted. I don’t want to mentally adjust a reading every time I take a measurement. Inkbird IHT-1S is my next attempt at a digital thermometer (which can be adjusted/calibrated).

 

This is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth. My view is that precise temperature measurement of the mash or the wort (pre-fermentation) isn't very valuable to the homebrewer and so it shouldn't be a priority when budgeting your equipment.

First, although mash temperature definitely matters, there aren't sharp discontinuities in outcomes. What I mean is that a 154°F mash is going to behave pretty much exactly like a 156°F mash. Good luck telling the difference. A 148°F mash is different from a 155°F mash, and you could probably tell the difference, but any cheapo thermometer is going to distinguish between those.

Second, there's a lot of error built into the measurement anyway. I can't remember where I read it but apparently there's an old saying: "If you don't like the temperature of your mash, measure again in a different place." This definitely matches my experience. My brewing records typically say something like "Mash settled at 153°F (measured in center of mash), 151.5°F (measured at edge)." If I put the lid on and waited 5 minutes, and then measured again, I would probably get a third reading.

You can get a reasonably accurate digital thermometer for $20. A Thermapen costs about $100. To me, the $80 increment is not justified. That $80 will help you a lot more if you spend it elsewhere.

Of course if your budget is ample then sure, a Thermapen is nice. Its price could also be justified if you plan to use it in the kitchen as well as brewing. In that case, sure, it's a nice product that will serve you well (although it goes through batteries faster than I would like).

Note that I'm just talking about a handheld thermometer used to measure mash temperature and so forth. I'm not talking about fermentation temperature control. That's a whole different kettle of fish.

[edited to fix spelling of Thermapen]

 

The difference is worth a factor of about 1.025 in Attenuation, per Kai Troester's data. Maybe not a dramatic difference, but I don't think that doesn't mean that we shouldn't shoot for the outcomes we want.

 

As an Engineer, if I don’t trust the equipment then I will always be second guessing my work. So I believe you are correct, 2F will not usually make a difference, but it will bother me to no end

 

Anything Thermoworks.

They can be purchased direct from the manufacturer and are not available on Amazon.
Anyone who has used their thermometers will tell you the same, it's not really up for debate. The Weber BBQ of thermometers. Once you get one you'll see why.

Also, the battery in my RT600C-N, since discontinued, needed to be replaced. I called Thermoworks and the nice lady said they improved the battery design, sent me the new battery, no charge. It's a small gesture but the sort of thing very few companies will do. Seriously, the equipment is really good stuff. I have the RT600, the 600D and the Thermopop as well.

Cheers

 

It's all about tradeoffs. I'm not suggesting that other things being equal you wouldn't want a more precise temperature reading. Just pointing out that things aren't equal and you're going to get more traction for your $80 elsewhere in the brewing process in my opinion.

 

I think you can send $8 on an analog and a $3 on a sticky and $10 on infrared and you're doing well. I have seen 7 degree f differences though, so be careful with that.

 

Nice rec on the Inkbird. I've been using their fridge thermostat for fermentation forever and have been very happy with their product. Had no idea they made an instant read thermometer. I did fork over the $$$ for a Thermapen several years ago but that crapped out on me way earlier than anticipated considering how much I paid.

 

I don't think that'd work for me. My 'normal' at-rest body temp is about 97.6 and it can vary 4°F or more depending on whether the A/C is set too low, or if I just got in from working the garden in late August, or something in between.

 

I use the ThermoPop (by ThermoWorks who makes the ThermaPen, among other things) for cooking and brewing. It does the job just fine for me, always thought I might upgrade to the ThermaPen, which does have a lower margin of error, but meh. I'm also using a RIMS setup with separate temp control for the mash anyway, so the I guess it matters even less.

 

Interesting. Are you thinking that RIMS = accurate?