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Calibrate thermometer?

Started by moosehead, November 21, 2017, 05:11:40 AM

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moosehead

Cooked a tri tip last night and decided to try both stick thermometers since my wireless was acting up. Noticed that the thermometers were reading about 10 different.
So I tried my wireless and it was reading almost 20 higher.
No I don't know what one if any are accurate.
Any way to calibrate the stick thermometers?

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addicted-to-smoke

Are these bimetal (mechanical) stick thermometers, or digital?

Whoever makes your stick thermometers could best answer that. But usually, no, unless you actually see a tiny adjustment hole or if there's a button sequence to enter a cal mode.

Test them by suspending in boiling water, but also do your best to keep everything but the probe away from the saucepan's metal. If you reliably get readings 10-20 degrees off, there's your "calibration." Just remember the number.

Long tern solution: Get a Thermapen.
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch

kettlebb

Looking for: Red MBH 26"(The Aristocrat), Chestnut-coppertone (The Estate), Glen-blue (The Imperial), and The Plainsman.

GoAnywhereJeep

You can just check them by doing teh boiling water test. Water boils at different temps depending on your altitude so you need to compensate for that. For example, my boiling point 110.8*F
YouTube channels: GringoBBQ & RubiconFI

Don_

Quote from: GoAnywhereJeep on November 21, 2017, 07:26:02 AM
You can just check them by doing teh boiling water test. Water boils at different temps depending on your altitude so you need to compensate for that. For example, my boiling point 110.8*F

110.8°F!? How high are you?


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GoAnywhereJeep

Quote from: Don_ on November 21, 2017, 07:27:45 AM
Quote from: GoAnywhereJeep on November 21, 2017, 07:26:02 AM
You can just check them by doing teh boiling water test. Water boils at different temps depending on your altitude so you need to compensate for that. For example, my boiling point 110.8*F

110.8°F!? How high are you?


Sent from my iPad using Weber Kettle Club

Apparently I am pretty high here in California. The correct number for my altitude is 210.8*F, though.
YouTube channels: GringoBBQ & RubiconFI

Don_


Quote from: GoAnywhereJeep on November 21, 2017, 08:36:39 AM
Quote from: Don_ on November 21, 2017, 07:27:45 AM
Quote from: GoAnywhereJeep on November 21, 2017, 07:26:02 AM
You can just check them by doing teh boiling water test. Water boils at different temps depending on your altitude so you need to compensate for that. For example, my boiling point 110.8*F

110.8°F!? How high are you?


Sent from my iPad using Weber Kettle Club

Apparently I am pretty high here in California. The correct number for my altitude is 210.8*F, though.

Thanks! You had me going there....I was imagining your life on board a high altitude airship....it was all kinds of steampunk.


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Joetee

Fill as large glass with ice and then fill with water to the top with both.
Stir the ice and water with your thermometer for a while. They should 0 out at 32°f.

32° water is the same everywhere but boiling water temp changes.

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moosehead

Tested a few thermometers and am reading 208. I do have a water softener but I thought that should raise the boiling point.

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rui_alberto

You can test a thermometer at leat at 3 temperatures: 0° (ice bath), 100° (boiling water, correct with altitude) and 180ish, with sugar. Search online for calibrate oven sugar. Basically uses the sugar melting point to find out how off is you oven thermostat. Should work also to test a thermometer

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