Ever used an IR Thermometer for brewing?

[HopRunner]

I damage my thermocouple probe and I need to replace it. I was thinking that one of the hand held IR Thermometers might be an option. Sanitation wouldn't be an issue. I am just wondering if the surface temperature of my mash would be accurate enough to set my mash temp. I would think that it would work will for measuring my water temp in the liquor tank and also for monitoring the cooling of the wort.

Anyone using one of these? Think it would be a good alternative to the good old temperature probe?

[drewbage1847]

Never used one, but I don't think a surface temp would sufficient.

Just thinking about the changes I see moving a thermo around you wouldn't be able to detect any hot/cold pockets.

[Bugeater]

I have had a lot of experience using them, but not for brewing. They do indeed only measure surface temperature. All you will be measuring is the temperature of the water vapor at the surface of the mash. Ever tried thawing a chunk of hamburger by tossing it into a hot skillet? You can get the outside nice and brown and yet still have the center frozen solid. You need to be able to check the temp at various points throughout the mash to make sure you have the temperature even. This is the reason a fixed thermometer mounted in a mash tun isn't even all that reliable.

You would be best served to get yourself one of these 12" stem bi-metal thermometers with a 2" dial. http://www.williamsbrewing.com/BREWER_S ... R_P546.cfm
You can use this to easily check the temperature at any point in your mash tun as well as clip it on your HLT to monitor temperature.

Wayne

[ziggy]

You should get a regular thermometer like the one in the previous post because they are inexpensive and get an IR thermometer and see if they give you the same readings. An IR thermometer could be useful for taking the temperature of a lot of things. I find it annoying to sanitize a regular thermometer so I usually end up not sanitizing it or not using it. I have never measured a single fermentation temperature.

[HopRunner]

You should get a regular thermometer like the one in the previous post because they are inexpensive and get an IR thermometer and see if they give you the same readings. An IR thermometer could be useful for taking the temperature of a lot of things. I find it annoying to sanitize a regular thermometer so I usually end up not sanitizing it or not using it. I have never measured a single fermentation temperature.

Yes, yes!!! More gadgets that must be the right answer!

For fermentation temperatures, I have those thermal strips on all my carboys. I live by those things. Wouldn't brew without them.

Actually though I like my pyrometer but for $12 I will be buying that analog thermometer. Maybe I will buy my wife an IR thermometer.... Yeah, win-win!