VWR Thermometer Review

[RowdyRay]

DangerDan posted about a pen type thermo, so I took one for the team and ordered it. Here's a direct link to it:

http://www.extechstore.com/extech-39272.aspx

It arrived today. Soon as I saw how thick the probe was, the excitment was gone. Knew this was a crap shoot. What the heck, let's test it out. Threw a kettle of water on to boil. While that was heating, grabbed a glass. Filled it with ice and a little water. The screen reads in 000.0 and it turns on immediately upon flipping out the probe. It does read in C. You have to hit a button for F. Not a big deal. It gave me a room temp instantly. Ok, that's a good sign. Stuck it in the ice water. In two screen flashes it was at 40, then took it's time down to 34 degrees. Great.....off 2 degrees and no better or faster than the others.

But wait......

The water was now boiling. In just the distance from the counter to the stove it was at 50. Stuck it in the boiling water. In four screen flashes it was at 210. Off two degrees, but four seconds tops. Did it several times. It's no Thermapen, but faster than anything I already own. Not a bad thermo, just not a great thermo.

Think I'll give it to my son when I get a Thermapen. He'll need it for the new smoker I got him today.

[Mikey]

Sorry it didn't meet your expectations, but hey crap occurs. How about a pic of the smoker you got for your son

[RowdyRay]

Sorry it didn't meet your expectations, but hey crap occurs. How about a pic of the smoker you got for your son

I was actually expecting worse. It's still better than anything Taylor makes.

Pics of the smoker coming......

[DDave]

Bummer about the thermo, Ray.

But for taking one for the team.

Plus, it's not all bad. Depending on what you're cooking it probably doesn't matter if the probe is big or it's not as fast as a Thermapen. Would probably work fine for chicken or if you foil butts or briskets, probably fine for deciding when to foil.

Dave

[Fishawn]

Thanks for filling us in R/R, can it be calibrated?

[Pandemonium]

Sounds like its pretty good then, what is 2 degrees really gonna hurt? were not pro chefs here i would be ok with that plus you can just remember which way its off and adjust that way.

[RowdyRay]

Bummer about the thermo, Ray.

But for taking one for the team.

Plus, it's not all bad. Depending on what you're cooking it probably doesn't matter if the probe is big or it's not as fast as a Thermapen. Would probably work fine for chicken or if you foil butts or briskets, probably fine for deciding when to foil.

Dave

Thanks for the points. Glad to do it. I'm not bummed. Love my Mavericks. Dead on. Butt.... stick that probe in after 4 hours of smoking.... takes almost a minute before you get a final temp.

Thanks for filling us in R/R, can it be calibrated?

Not that I can see so far. Maybe if I send it in. Plan to call and find out.

Sounds like its pretty good then, what is 2 degrees really gonna hurt? were not pro chefs here i would be ok with that plus you can just remember which way its off and adjust that way.

Exactly. Have no plans for comps. For most of us backyard bbq'rs it'll be fine.

[Hannibal]

Great review. Thanks for taking one for the team.

[DDave]

I just Googled the altitude of Vadnais Hts. MN. Google says 896 feet and according to this site, water boils at 210°. So it looks like it's pretty accurate at the high end.

Dave

[RowdyRay]

I just Googled the altitude of Vadnais Hts. MN. Google says 896 feet and according to this site, water boils at 210°. So it looks like it's pretty accurate at the high end.

Dave

Really? Every time I've tried those it says 212. I'll look into it some more.

[Fishawn]

I just Googled the altitude of Vadnais Hts. MN. Google says 896 feet and according to this site, water boils at 210°. So it looks like it's pretty accurate at the high end.

Dave

Great Observation Their Dave!!!!!
(Somebody has their thinking cap on today.... and it ain't me..... )

[Pandemonium]

Ray have you been using the thermo? Hows it holding up?

[RowdyRay]

I've only used it once since testing it. Some chicken on the grill. Worked just fine. It does have a "hold" button. If you press that it remembers that temp. Then you don't start over from 50 degree outside temps. Thought that was cool. I'll post more on that soon.

Been so busy I won't have time to give it a good workout until after hunting is over. More smoked venison and another sausage fest. I'll keep ya posted.

[Pandemonium]

ok cool i might get one but is it instant read? or like 6 seconds like most?

[Mark R]

I got one also, it's not instant. It's pretty fast but not instant. It updates every second but in increments so if you make a 50 or 75 F change it takes a while. It comes on in Celsius and you have to switch it to F. Better than a Taylor but not a Thermopen.