thermowell

[Brewster21]

Can anyone recommend a suitable thermowell to fit to my plastic fermentation bucket?

 

[AnimatedGIF]

This is what I use on my fermzilla and it seems to be doing a good job. I see no reason it couldn't be used on a regular bucket-type FV. Requires a 12mm or 13mm hole
https://brewkegtap.co.uk/collections/fermzilla/products/60cm-thermowell-bulkhead-included

 

[Dutto]

Er … why?

Why introduce a source of infection that will need to be cleaned and sanitised and may leak?

I cut a small channel in an ordinary kitchen sponge, place the Inkbird probe in the channel and then use the handle on the FV trap the sponge with the probe touching the FV.

It works a treat.
:hat:

 

[Brewster21]

Er … why?

Why introduce a source of infection that will need to be cleaned and sanitised and may leak?

I cut a small channel in an ordinary kitchen sponge, place the Inkbird probe in the channel and then use the handle on the FV trap the sponge with the probe touching the FV.

It works a treat.
:hat:

It won't leak if it's fitted properly and according to advice will give an accurate reading and because it's my choice.

 

[foxy]

Can anyone recommend a suitable thermowell to fit to my plastic fermentation bucket?

Simple and cheap way get a male threaded hose barb, some nylon tube, the tube will be in a roll but can be straightened with heat. Drill the centre of the lid, fit the threaded barb and push the tube onto the barb. For closing the immersed end use a tube enclosure as pictured. I can open the tap and it doesn't leak. Cost, a couple of dollars.

 

[AnimatedGIF]

It won't leak if it's fitted properly and according to advice will give an accurate reading and because it's my choice.

It's annoying having to justify yourself
From what I have read, it is beneficial to measure the inner temperature of the wort. And as you say, more importantly, it's your choice

 

[hoppyscotty]

Had no issues with the fermzilla thermowell. Cheap, easy to install and have used it for pressure fermenting several times with no leaking so about the best test you can do. And infection is not a risk if you have a proper sterilisation and sanitisation protocol in place.

 

[MrJay83]

I just got my all rounder today with the thermowell and I can pull it through the bulkhead fitting with relative ease. Are yours the same? I'm worried that it won't hold pressure.

 

[hoppyscotty]

Yep, if you pull it it slides through. It’s held in place by o-rings. There is not enough surface area at the tip of the thermowell for the pressure to generate enough force to push it up. Had no issues when it’s under pressure.

Just make sure you cut it down once you’ve got it where you want it. Don’t be like me and bend down and spike yourself in the eye and spend 4 hrs in A&E on a Saturday evening

 

[Rodcx500z]

Don’t be like me and bend down and spike yourself in the eye

Bloody hell i bet that hurt, glad your ok

 

[MrJay83]

Cheers. I was expecting something like cable gland compression thing and not to slide so easily.
Yes, definitely will cut it down. I was thinking it's a bit dangerous like that. Hacksaw or pipe cutter?
Do you slide it up when transferring? I'm imagining with dry hops in a bag and the float it will start getting crowded in there.

 

[hoppyscotty]

Bloody hell i bet that hurt, glad your ok

Yes it did smart a bit!! My own silly fault, always kept meaning to cut it down as I knew it was inevitable. Also a product of my brewery space being small and therefore cluttered so always working around and bending over stuff so an accident waiting to happen. But like a typical Brit, I convinced myself it was a flesh wound and I carried on with the brewday and wasn’t till the evening when I sat down with the wife she noticed my eye wasn’t looking too clever and was clearly giving me a bit of discomfort. Luckily did no long term damage, just a scratch on the eyeball, but missed all the vital parts. Dread to think of it was a few mm to the right!! The beer turned out nice though! In fact one of my best ever. Maybe the key is a small flesh sacrifice to the gods of homebrew

@mrJay after my trip to A&E I used a pipe cutter to get a nice clean and burr free cut.

 

[MrJay83]

Yes it did smart a bit!! My own silly fault, always kept meaning to cut it down as I knew it was inevitable. Also a product of my brewery space being small and therefore cluttered so always working around and bending over stuff so an accident waiting to happen. But like a typical Brit, I convinced myself it was a flesh wound and I carried on with the brewday and wasn’t till the evening when I sat down with the wife she noticed my eye wasn’t looking too clever and was clearly giving me a bit of discomfort. Luckily did no long term damage, just a scratch on the eyeball, but missed all the vital parts. Dread to think of it was a few mm to the right!! The beer turned out nice though! In fact one of my best ever. Maybe the key is a small flesh sacrifice to the gods of homebrew

@mrJay after my trip to A&E I used a pipe cutter to get a nice clean and burr free cut.

Did you cut it with the gunner's eye?
Glad you're okay. You're very lucky and could have been a very different outcome.

 

[hoppyscotty]

Did you cut it with the gunner's eye?
Glad you're okay. You're very lucky and could have been a very different outcome.

Thanks, Indeed I'm very very lucky. I've got a mate who's blind in one eye after being hit in it by a paper aeroplane as a kid, so just goes to show how fragile eyes are. My garage/brewery is an Health and Safety disaster area! The recent thread on co2 cylinders potentially turning into high speed projectiles if you're not careful and have them tethered to a wall made me think. As improbable as it sounds if it's a possibility, then it is a statistical inevitability and therefore just a matter of time. Its alright saying something is a 1 in a million chance, but we don't know if it will be that first time you roll the dice or the millionth or anywhere in between. We sometimes forget that even though we're doing this at home it is in effect an industrial process involving hot liquids, corrosive and nasty chemicals and all manner of hazards and therefore a dangerous environment. Take care in your breweries!!