Temperature gun

[glugaway]

I thought I'd share my method which is a little unconventional.

I'm new to home brewing and have recently invested in the various bits and bobs to get started. The only problem was the shop didn't have any thermometers left so I was stuck in this area. I then realised I still had a temperature gun from when I used to race RC nitro engined cars. I was doubtful at first whether this would work, but sure enough it gave useful readings for practical purposes. I just point the thing at the DJ itself, or the surface of the brew when it first went in and a fairly stable reading is given. Not sure how accurate it is though, but it helps in that I don't have to faff about opening and dipping a thermometer into my DJ during the course of fermentation

 

[Twostage]

I've got a similar one. It's really useful for taking quick (and clean) readings of FVs.

Couple of things to watch out for :-

They can pick up reflected heat. Even from your hand. If you put it close to the surface of your DJ and tilt it up and down you will probably find it reads a bit higher pointing down as it picks up the heat of your hand reflected from the glass.

They can't measure liquids with steam coming off, don't know why but the temperature bounces all over the place.

It's cool being able to test the temp of your FV from the other side of the room though. :-D