Thermoprobe queries

[aero-spaced-out]

Hello all

Recently installed a thermowell to my 30L allrounder after I finished a temp chamber build.
Doing a water test in it and noticed that I was getting around a +/-0.5°C sway on my temp readings.
I have a RAPT Temp Controller.
After some discussion with the ones in work they asked what I'm using as a medium for the probe.
To cut a long story short, I now have my thermoprobe in my thermowell that has starsan in it and my temp variance has basically flatlined at my target.

I've been reading that water or liquids SHOULD NOT be used with these thermoprobes and have seen quite a few people mention thermal paste.

Thinking I should empty my thermowell out and get the thermal transfer paste for less lag to the probe. Unsure how I would go about getting the paste all the way to the bottom of my well where I want it.

Just wondering if anybody else has any thoughts or suggestions on this?

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Well now that you know that the reading is rock solid with starsan in it, the readings you get with variance are an aberration of the measuring setup dry rather than real fluctuations.
So remove the starsan and accept that the fluctuance is artefact.

 

[MashBag]

Spray the inside of the thermo well lightly with WD40. Allow to drain, you want a find coating.
Then silicone in the probe.

Works for me. Done a couple now.

 

[aero-spaced-out]

Well now that you know that the reading is rock solid with starsan in it, the readings you get with variance are an aberration of the measuring setup dry rather than real fluctuations.
So remove the starsan and accept that the fluctuance is artefact.

My issue with doing it dry is that the fluctuations in temp when dry cause the heater to come on and the cooling to come on too which means that the true temp may start to drift or vary. With it being two different conditions I'm unsure how much I could continue to trust a dry well now I've seen it this stable with to no external factors. I always find myself getting caught up in the niche points like that and wouldn't stop trying to examine it until I was sure.
I will likely continue with the thermal paste route for my own peace of mind.
I do fully appreciate that it is likely overkill but I work in a calibration company and after speaking with my colleagues they offered me use of some of their equipment so mapping my temp chamber and temp gradients across my fermenter will kill a weekend lol.

 

[aero-spaced-out]

Spray the inside of the thermo well lightly with WD40. Allow to drain, you want a find coating.
Then silicone in the probe.

Works for me. Done a couple now.

When you say silicone in the probe, do you mean to coat the entire probe in silicone and slide it down until it bottoms out? This way the silicone will act as the medium to transfer the readings to the probe?

 

[MashBag]

Silicone yup.