What thermometer do you use?

Don't use one but I will when I'm not being a cheap bastard. Thermopen.

 

I use a Polder Digital 'In Oven' thermometer. Runs about 20 bucks on Amazon. It has about a 3 or 4 ft cord between the digital read out and the probe. I find it pretty convenient as I can toss the probe in the strike water/kettle/mash tun and place the digital read out on the propane tank/top of mash tun/away from the heat source.

So far, it's treated me well in terms of read out. I've got another thermometer that I use occassionaly to double check its accuracy.

 

BTW - what make/model have you been using? Need to know if I should be wary of my make/model.

 

Thermapen. Quite simply, it has no equal. It appears to be an insane amount of money to spend on a thermometer, but what's you beer worth to you? (ok, maybe a bit of an exaggeration).

I have a 12" thermometer that I use for the mash. I frequently calibrate it with the Thermapen.

I also use it when grilling. Instant read (<3 seconds) and incredible accuracy are truly priceless!

This is one of those cases where you truly get what you pay for.

 

I have the Taylor from Target. $15 and it works well. I've heard good things about this one too:

http://www.amazon.com/Maverick-OT-3..._4?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1376509088&sr=1-4

 

Cheap walmart dial thermometer. Same one I use for meat. No joke. It responds quick enough and is always accurate.

 

Thermapen for me. Everyone has an opinion about this and many think it is too expensive. Having used it for this hobby and meat/cooking for a number of years, I can tell you I'd buy one again in a second and I'm pretty cheap! I did have mine error code once. I sent it in and it was fixed and shipped back for free.

 

http://thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt301wa.html

This has been recommended here before and is the one I currently use.

 

Many people (previously myself) assume that a thermometer need to be replaced periodically, either because it's no longer accurate (how do you know when that happens?) or it simply stops working (numbers all over the place or, more commonly, it simply refuses to turn on). Kind of like a dog needs to be replaced from time to time (sorry -- bad analogy). While the warranty is only one year, I consider my Thermapen to be lifetime investment.

 

This one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0021AEAG2/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I call the 301 "Son of Thermapen" . . . reviews give it equal accuracy, it's downside is it takes 5 seconds to register. When I went to calibrate it read 211.9 and 32.7, right out of the box. This has really improved my mash temps as it will tell you if there are hot/cold spots. I even made a custom "lifebuoy" out of styrofoam to float on top of the grain while I stir.

 

I use this one. Not sure the difference between this one and the other Thermoworks thermometer posted.

http://www.amazon.com/RT600C-Super-...47&sr=8-3&keywords=digital+pocket+thermometer

 

I have a dial thermometer that came with the turkey fryer (0-220) as well as weldless thermometers in the HLT and kettle. All are calibrated with a glass lab thermometer I got at the LHBS for like $7.

 

Thermopen.

 

I use a Thermapen.. Haven't looked back. I use it for smoking/grilling too.

Got the rubber boot for it, and I can toss it around all day long. It's fast as shit, and accurate. I check it from time to time against a very expensive glass and toluene blend lab thermometer and it's spot on.

 

Thermapen. Apparently the price has gone up, but I would buy again.

 

++++ Thermapen. As I am suffering from middle aged eyes that can't transition very well nowadays, I really appreciate the large display.