Thermometer: what to use and where to put it!

[NineInchNails]

The STC1000 is a cheap, simple temp controller. That's useful for a digital thermometer.
The NTC sensor is basically a resistor that varies with the temperature.
You stick the sensor in the thermowell.

If all you want is a digital thermometer
Here's a cheap and simple one


http://stilldragon.com/index.php/digita ... meter.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Yeah I saw that one, didn't like how short the probe was. I feel like i need to be about 1/3 into my keg. At least that's what remember seeing somewhere...Hmmm?

Trying to get through the whole Heating Element Controller thread...uhg 65 pages. I feel things coming to a head regarding temperature readings and heat control! Do i couple them together or run the separate. I want to be more hands on with the still. Be present and in the moment! So, maybe i just need to keep the two worlds separate; heat control and temp readings.

The thermowell really doesn't have to protrude very far into the boiler to be accurate. Think about it like this, and try it if you like. Get a pot of water hot or near boiling. Now stick a thermometer in the center of the pot of water and read the temp. Now move the thermometer approx 1/4" away from the inner wall of the pot and read the temp. They will read the same.

Now imagine a really long thermowell inside your boiler and how easy it would be to bend it when cleaning or scrubbing the interior. Long thermowells are really not necessary.

A thermometer only reads temp. A really simple electric heating element controller just regulates the power to the electric heating element. More sophisticated electric controllers have a temp probe, displays the temp, regulates the power to the electric heating element and have options to act like an extremely accurate thermostat (to maintain temp within a fraction of a degree in accuracy). This Auber Controller is a very good example of a more sophisticated electric controller.

[NineInchNails]

I see that SS at or above 304 is food grade https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=ht ... AHoECAcQBg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Half coupler like https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAING ... ling-2UA17" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

A pipe fitter buddy of mine told me to look at Threadolets too!

Try searching eBay for 1/2" NPT Stainless Steel Coupling. You'll find them for just a few bucks and shipping is pretty cheap. I usually buy 2 or 3 just to make the shipping cost worthwhile. Cut them in half and now you have 4 or 6 of them.

Keep in mind that you don't even have to use 1/2" couplings. You could use a 1/4" coupling if you only intend to use electric thermometer probes, RTD Sensors and/or Thermocouples. Those things are very small in diameter and only need a tiny thermowell.

I chose to use 1/2" couplings just in case the shit ever hit the fan and I had to use analog thermometers like shown below

[NineInchNails]

I guess I am struggling with, "do I need a 6" probe or will a shorter one suffice?" I feel that read somewhere that good accurate readings come from being 1/3 of the way into the vessel.

Am i just mixing apples and oranges? Cant i just have a themocouple with a 6" probe in a thermowell, that connects to a digital readout? If so, what thermocouple (J, K, T, E?) goes with what device?

My mind is mush right now...to much reading...must hydrate !

First off, what exactly are you doing? Are you heating with gas or electric?

If you intend to heat with gas then all you need is a thermometer to monitor the temp within your boiler. You can go with an analog (with a dial) thermometer or a digital thermometer. That's pretty basic stuff.

If you intend to heat with electric then you should FIRST decide what type of controller you intend to build or buy. I'd build, but that's just me. To build takes a good bit of study, but totally doable.

If you're going electric then you can go with a really really basic, manual, variable power regulator. Turn the knob up and you get more power. Turn the knob down and you get less power. If you go with a really basic electric controller then you can use a thermowell just for monitoring your temp with a simple thermometer (digital or analog). As for the thermowell, just make it to suit whatever thermometer probe you end up purchasing. You want the thermometer probe to fit just right, no slop/air gap.

If you want more sophisticated features like continuous & accurate temp readout, dead on balls temp control as well as the option for manual variable control then that's one of these for instance. For one of those controllers you'll want a thermowell in your boiler. You have the choice of either a K Type Thermocouple or an RTD Sensor.

[Old Man Bakke]

Thanks NIN- your responses are right in line with what I am researching presently!Going to heat with electric (3500W and a 2500W). Actually, talking with Auber customer service . I asked them what they would recommend, they came back with:

1. For brewing/distilling, PT100 RTD sensor is recommended due to its better accuracy (compared to thermocouple). Please find them here. https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... Path=20_15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

2. Typically, temperature sensor is recommended to touch the liquid directly. If your kettle already comes with thermowell, you need to use thermowell sensor instead. If your kettle has tri-clamp port, you can use tri-clamp sensor instead. Please find here. https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... &x=37&y=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Found some 1/2 couplings and full couplings at Ferguson - an industrial supply warehouse for a couple bucks !

[NineInchNails]

Thanks NIN- your responses are right in line with what I am researching presently!Going to heat with electric (3500W and a 2500W). Actually, talking with Auber customer service . I asked them what they would recommend, they came back with:

1. For brewing/distilling, PT100 RTD sensor is recommended due to its better accuracy (compared to thermocouple). Please find them here. https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... Path=20_15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

2. Typically, temperature sensor is recommended to touch the liquid directly. If your kettle already comes with thermowell, you need to use thermowell sensor instead. If your kettle has tri-clamp port, you can use tri-clamp sensor instead. Please find here. https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... &x=37&y=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Found some 1/2 couplings and full couplings at Ferguson - an industrial supply warehouse for a couple bucks !

With regard to the RTD sensor, I have a feeling that they're just trying to over-sell you a bit. You can use a PT100 RTD sensor inside of a thermowell. For increased accuracy/sensitivity/thermal conductivity ... you can simply use an appropriately sized copper tube for the thermowell. I used brass because I was too anxious and didn't want to wait for the copper tubing of the same size (for increased thermal conductivity). When it comes to distilling, it's more about 'repeatability' not accuracy with thermometers or controllers. Auber is all about precision so they would surely up-sell you a part that puts the RTD sensor directly inside the boiler. This is not necessary.

[Old Man Bakke]

The only place I have one is below the level of the charge where the boiling point can be used to calculate the abv in the charge. Having one anywhere else is likely to cause you more trouble than not having one, especially while you are still learning how to run a still.

So as low as I can go...eh! I am using a keg, so would you suggest in middle of the 5 gallon band and the bottom of the keg? I was thinking between the 2 Tri clover Element Adapters

like here....?

An alcometer will give you far more valuable information than a thermometer. Have you got that sorted?

I do own a alcometre and a hydrometer! Thanks.

[NZBoka701]

Thermometers in my experience proved to be less than useful in the boiler sadly. I found fitting a sight glass on the top of the keg to be more useful. when it goes clear the vapours are working their way up the still so defeating the point of having one to know when its about to start running and twinned with a flashlight it gives the ability to see the rolling boil and control power levels to give you a lower electricity bill.

if you are going to fit one then try to keep the sensing tip as far away from the heater as possible as the hot water/vapour around the element will throw off your readings completely

[Old Man Bakke]

Thermometers in my experience proved to be less than useful in the boiler sadly. I found fitting a sight glass on the top of the keg to be more useful. when it goes clear the vapours are working their way up the still so defeating the point of having one to know when its about to start running and twinned with a flashlight it gives the ability to see the rolling boil and control power levels to give you a lower electricity bill.

if you are going to fit one then try to keep the sensing tip as far away from the heater as possible as the hot water/vapour around the element will throw off your readings completely

I totally get what your saying. I would just like something to alert me when the charge gets close to the boiling point. I cant see myself hovering over the boiler. You know what they say, "a watched pot never boils!" But I do hear what your saying!

[NZChris]

I totally get what your saying. I would just like something to alert me when the charge gets close to the boiling point. I cant see myself hovering over the boiler. You know what they say, "a watched pot never boils!" But I do hear what your saying!

A stripe of color changing nail gel on the riser gives you plenty of warning. It's helpful on condensers as well.

[Old Man Bakke]

I totally get what your saying. I would just like something to alert me when the charge gets close to the boiling point. I cant see myself hovering over the boiler. You know what they say, "a watched pot never boils!" But I do hear what your saying!

A stripe of color changing nail gel on the riser gives you plenty of warning. It's helpful on condensers as well.

I'll see if my daughters have have some..