Homebrewing Thermometers

Thermometers are often one of the most misunderstood pieces of home brewing equipment. So instead of getting dedicated brewing thermometers, some novice homebrewers get meat thermometers. The problem with using meat thermometers is that they are not accurate. In brewing beer, a precise temperature reading is crucial to achieving excellent results. Brewing thermometers should provide readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.

When getting a thermometer for your home brewing station, there are certain things that you need to consider. Firstly, a good brewing thermometer should be accurate and you should be able to read between 0.5 and 0.9 degrees with a visible difference.

Another thing to consider when choosing a thermometer is its ability to be calibrated. No matter how good a thermometer is, it needs to be recalibrated time and again. A good homebrewing thermometer can be calibrated using ice water or boiling water. However, ice water calibration is preferred because water boils at different temperatures depending on the elevation.

Stem length is also another factor to consider when choosing a good thermometer for your home brewing system. A longer stem means that you can keep your hands away from the hot liquid, so you don't need to probe deeper into the mash. Most good thermometers feature a 6" or 9" stem. Installing a thermowell in your brew kettle is a very good idea as it will protect your thermometer and you will be able to constantly monitor the temperature in your vessel. If are you using a false bottom or hop basket you will also need to consider the amount of room you have in your brew pot when selecting the probe length.

Lastly, you must choose a thermometer that is water and shock-resistant. Brewing thermometers are continually exposed to moisture and the steam from the brew pots, which may make them inoperable through time.

If you are in a quest for a good thermometer for your home brewing station, we have a wide variety of thermometers that will fit your needs and preferences. At OntarioBeerKegs.com, we stock weldless, inline, adjustable, traditional; we even have stick-on thermometers (which are more suited to fermenters).