I’m considering picking up an IR temp gun to monitor temps while fermenting in a carboy. Previously, I’ve used the stick-on thermometers which I assume isn’t the best bet.
Anyone use IR guns? Thoughts?
Actually, the stick on fermometer strips are remarkably accurate. I’d say save your money.
I agree with Denny. The fermometers
always match the temp reading on my Johnson Controls temp controller (probe taped to side of fermenter under folded wash cloth for insulation.)
I have an IR gun. Those things are ball park at best. I don’t think they are meant to be super accurate. I tried using one thinking it would work for mash temps. I got wild swings (5-10 degrees) when moving the gun and when trying to read in the same spot twice.
Final thought: the fermometers are marked at 2 degree increments. In general I think that is precise enough for fermentation.
I agree the IR gun is only used to measure surface temperature. It has trouble when you measuring something that isn’t a solid. It’s good to checking if something is too hot to touch… or if you want to take a temp of something that is too dangerous to stick your hand near… Other than that…
while I agree that the stick-on thermometers are quite accurate, I’m not sure I’d agree with “save the money” - some temp guns are quite cheap and I use mine constantly. Like checking to see how cool my starter has gotten before pitching yeast, finding warm/cool spots to place fermenters of mead in my basement, or quickly determining how my wort chilling is going without sanitizing something. I’ve never had accuracy problems or wild swings either.
…and I’m not even talking about the exercise my dog gets chasing the red dot around. ;D
so I’d get one, just not for measuring fermentation temp.
cheers–
–Michael
My probe thermometer has an IR scanner. It does read temperatures through a carboy fairly well (compared to the stick on strips on some of mine). It is convenient for when I can’t read the sticker, but mostly I consider it a novelty. It’s useless for reading temperatures most other places (mash, kettle, etc) and I wouldn’t buy a stand alone version. IR thermometers work best with a dull, black surface. Shiny/non-black surfaces reflect don’t work as well.