I need a new thermometer!

[Tippler]

After several years' reliable service, my Mastrad digital thermometer seems to have lost the plot and tells me my kitchen temperature is 30° C; it isn't it's chilly at best. So I need a new thermometer. Given that I prefer to spend brew money on ingredients rather that new gadgets, what are the best bargains out there? I've had a good look round, but they either look unreliable or very expensive.

[GrowlingDogBeer]

I use one of these

http://www.thermometersuperstore.co.uk/ ... meter.html

Not sure if there is still a Jims discount code or not.

[DaddyLouLou]

I've just got one of these to play with.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/17763/Infrared-Thermometer

Seems OK so far.

[Fil]

the thermapen for circa £30 seems good value for speed reading and accuracy.

tho if u dont have temp control for your hlt boxing a stc1000 or even a pid controller will give u an accurate calibratable thermometer with other very useful features..

[Tippler]

All useful information, thanks! In fact, I checked the thermometer again today, and it's much less out on the readings. Perhaps it got too steamed up and might sort itself out as/if the probe dries. Anyhow, the point that Fil made about an STC is a good one, and one of my next projects is to fit an STC to my HLT, so that would take care of that part of things. I have seen references to people using this sort of thing, just to get an idea of how things are progressing http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kitchen-Craft ... 4d0e301b1f, though obviously not an accurate temperature for mashing. A thermopen is definitely more the thing there. Christmas, perhaps!

[SiHoltye]

Iced water with probe ends touching the bottom of the glass.

1.6°C, 2.2°C, or 5°C.

I've just ordered my fourth thermometer, it self calibrates apparently, hope it is better. Interested to see if it agrees with any of the others.

http://www.hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm ... e=HI+98509

[Dave S]

I've got a Thermapen which I am very pleased with. However, I've also got a £2.99 bog standard glass one and I find that the difference between them is at most 0.5C. So if the Thermapen breaks I'll be quite happy to use the cheap one as a stand by.

[Mr. Dripping]

I've been using this one for the past 2 years or so.
http://www.thermometersdirect.co.uk/wat ... pd1991.htm

It has been reliable and measures accurately againt my spirit thermometer when checked against it.

SiHolt - you will (should) get a better reading in a fine iced slush without the bottom of the probe touching the glass

[Nikster]

I'll throw another one in to the mix.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005 ... UTF8&psc=1

Took a few weeks to arrive, but showed my stick thermo is out of whack when it hits boiling range, the digital one read 98.9 as it came up to boiling, my stick one read 90. higher it went the further out it was. all this time.. dagnammit.

[SiHoltye]

SiHolt - you will (should) get a better reading in a fine iced slush without the bottom of the probe touching the glass

Good point. I'll re-run this experiment right now,

[SiHoltye]

Yeah OK. When suspended in a medium they read pretty similar.