To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Trying to figure out what equipment you need to get for your next brew? Have something cool to share? Do it here!

Moderators: BlackDuck, Beer-lord, LouieMacGoo, philm00x, gwcr

Post Reply

If you own a thermometer like this, does it:

Touch the side of the pot when clamped on?
1
10%
Not touch the side of the pot when clamped on?
5
50%
Don't have one, sorry.
4
40%
 
Total votes: 10
User avatar
RickBeer
Brew Guru
Brew Guru
Posts: 3099
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 1:21 pm
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (Go Blue!)

To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by RickBeer »

4 years ago I bought a thermometer similar to this one -
thermometer.JPG
thermometer.JPG (16.28 KiB) Viewed 5438 times
When clamped on the edge of the pot, the tip points into the liquid a few inches from the edge. Recently I bought a 2nd one on sale for $4.99, and finally went to use it the other day. I discovered that when clamped on the edge of the pot, the tip is pressing against the metal pot. After examining it closer, it is clear that the bottom hole in the clamp needs to move about 1/2 inch, and all would be well.

When I was at Adventures on Friday buying ingredients, I asked them to check it against stock - and all their stock was the same.

So here's my question - should it be jutting into the liquid in the pot, or pinned against the edge? To me, pinned against the edge gets the metal pot's heat transferred logically giving an incorrect reading.

These aren't any brand name - they are made in China - so it could be a manufacturing issue. I can easily drill another hole, but again wanted to see what yours are like.

If you don't have one, please, don't vote :).
I have over 9,000 posts on "another forum", which means absolutely nothing. Mr. Beer January 2014 Brewer of the Month with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with it...

Certificate in Brewing and Distillation Technology

Sites to find beer making supplies: Adventures in Homebrewing - Mr. Beer - MoreBeer
My Beer - click to reveal
Currently using 6 LBKs.

Beers I regularly brew:
Bell's Best Brown clone
Irish Hills Red - I call this "Ann Arbor Red"
Mackinac Island Red - I call this "Michigan Red"
Oatmeal Stout - I call this Not Fat, Stout - Oatmeal Stout

Bottled 5 gallons of Ann Arbor Red on 4/18/17. Bottled 5 gallons of Michigan Red on 5/8/17.

Brewed in 2017 - 22.13 gallons (19.91 in 2012, 48.06 in 2013, 61.39 in 2014, 84.26 in 2015,46.39 in 2016)
Brewed in lifetime - 282.14 gallons
Drinkable beer on hand -  13.58 cases, with 6.11 cases ready in May and early June.
Average cost per 12 pack through all beer brewed - $6.27(ingredients only)
User avatar
BigPapaG
Uber Brewer
Uber Brewer
Posts: 1979
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:11 am

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by BigPapaG »

No touchy :groucho:
User avatar
BlackDuck
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5156
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 7:49 am
Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by BlackDuck »

I don't have one of those for brewing, but I do have two for deep frying. It does not, and should not touch the pot. I would just bend the clamp a bit until it works right. Now that I think about it, I think I had to bend one so it didn't touch the pot.
ANTLER BREWING
Drinking
#93 - Gerst Amber Ale
Conditioning and Carbing

Fermenting

On Deck
User avatar
Kealia
Brew Guru
Brew Guru
Posts: 5588
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 10:52 pm

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by Kealia »

Agreed, mine does not touch.
User avatar
RickBeer
Brew Guru
Brew Guru
Posts: 3099
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 1:21 pm
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (Go Blue!)

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by RickBeer »

Exactly what I thought, thanks. Going to see if I can drill a new bottom hole which will change the angle.
I have over 9,000 posts on "another forum", which means absolutely nothing. Mr. Beer January 2014 Brewer of the Month with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with it...

Certificate in Brewing and Distillation Technology

Sites to find beer making supplies: Adventures in Homebrewing - Mr. Beer - MoreBeer
My Beer - click to reveal
Currently using 6 LBKs.

Beers I regularly brew:
Bell's Best Brown clone
Irish Hills Red - I call this "Ann Arbor Red"
Mackinac Island Red - I call this "Michigan Red"
Oatmeal Stout - I call this Not Fat, Stout - Oatmeal Stout

Bottled 5 gallons of Ann Arbor Red on 4/18/17. Bottled 5 gallons of Michigan Red on 5/8/17.

Brewed in 2017 - 22.13 gallons (19.91 in 2012, 48.06 in 2013, 61.39 in 2014, 84.26 in 2015,46.39 in 2016)
Brewed in lifetime - 282.14 gallons
Drinkable beer on hand -  13.58 cases, with 6.11 cases ready in May and early June.
Average cost per 12 pack through all beer brewed - $6.27(ingredients only)
User avatar
Inkleg
Brew Guru
Brew Guru
Posts: 4582
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 5:44 pm
Location: Lilburn, GA

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by Inkleg »

I have them just don't use them. Just got back from performing a real time experiment and was able to move it away from the edge a few inches by bending the bracket. Try that before drilling.
Naked Cat Brewery On Tap
Yazoo Sue Smoked Porter
Octoberfest
Le Petite Saison
Czech Pale Lager
A Toast to Big Fuzzy Russian Imperial Stout at 10%
Belgian Blond
Flower Power IPA
4 Kilts Clueless Belgian Strong
One Wort Two Yeast with Wyeast 2206
One Wort Two Yeast with WLP940
Shipwreck Saison
User avatar
John Sand
Brew Guru
Brew Guru
Posts: 4310
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:01 pm
Location: Long Island NY

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by John Sand »

Sliding the clamp up or down may change the balance.
Making beer and stew for the Zombie Apocalypse.
Never mind, there it is.
User avatar
RickBeer
Brew Guru
Brew Guru
Posts: 3099
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 1:21 pm
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (Go Blue!)

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by RickBeer »

When you compare the old one and the new one, it's clear it's the lower hole in the clamp that causes the issue, because it controls the angle. On the old one, it's a good 1/2 further out, so the thermometer has an angle towards the center of the pot.

Sliding the clamp doesn't change that. Bending the clamp merely makes it loose on the pot.

When I get around to it, I will just drill another hole.
I have over 9,000 posts on "another forum", which means absolutely nothing. Mr. Beer January 2014 Brewer of the Month with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with it...

Certificate in Brewing and Distillation Technology

Sites to find beer making supplies: Adventures in Homebrewing - Mr. Beer - MoreBeer
My Beer - click to reveal
Currently using 6 LBKs.

Beers I regularly brew:
Bell's Best Brown clone
Irish Hills Red - I call this "Ann Arbor Red"
Mackinac Island Red - I call this "Michigan Red"
Oatmeal Stout - I call this Not Fat, Stout - Oatmeal Stout

Bottled 5 gallons of Ann Arbor Red on 4/18/17. Bottled 5 gallons of Michigan Red on 5/8/17.

Brewed in 2017 - 22.13 gallons (19.91 in 2012, 48.06 in 2013, 61.39 in 2014, 84.26 in 2015,46.39 in 2016)
Brewed in lifetime - 282.14 gallons
Drinkable beer on hand -  13.58 cases, with 6.11 cases ready in May and early June.
Average cost per 12 pack through all beer brewed - $6.27(ingredients only)
User avatar
Inkleg
Brew Guru
Brew Guru
Posts: 4582
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 5:44 pm
Location: Lilburn, GA

Re: To touch, or not to touch, that is the question

Post by Inkleg »

RickBeer wrote: Bending the clamp merely makes it loose on the pot.
Did for me too until I figured out where the bend needed to go.
Naked Cat Brewery On Tap
Yazoo Sue Smoked Porter
Octoberfest
Le Petite Saison
Czech Pale Lager
A Toast to Big Fuzzy Russian Imperial Stout at 10%
Belgian Blond
Flower Power IPA
4 Kilts Clueless Belgian Strong
One Wort Two Yeast with Wyeast 2206
One Wort Two Yeast with WLP940
Shipwreck Saison
Post Reply