Thermometers

[Mockingbird Ramble]

I switched to thermal transfer after 3 batches and will not go back!

 

[mel z]

I am using one similar to this, but I think I paid less for it at WalMart and it was not this name brand, but it is the same. It's cheap, it works, but be careful as it is not very long. I use it when I am using hard oils. If I'm doing all soft oils, there is no need as I just wait for the lye water to get to room temp, the oils are already room temp.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004XSC4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Any meat thermometer is fine. They all have stainless steel shafts. I don't suggest a candy thermometer that is made of glass, just me being cautious.

Here is a full page of the kinds and shapes of meat thermometers:

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=289810

 

[MooreThanBags]

I use a stainless steel digital thermometer and it works fine.

 

[Sedge]

I like these: http://www.cynmar.com/ProductDetail/09601810_Spirit-Thermometer-20-To110c-Total-Immywback They really cheap at $1.85 each, they work well and are easy to read. They aren't as accurate as the digital ones, but I don't think temp accuracy is as important in this usage, at least not so much for me. If you do get this type, make sure to get a "total immersion" thermometer as the partial immersion ones have numbers that my come of after being exposed to NaOH solution. This one is just Celsius scale, but you can get one with both Celsius and Fahrenheit for a little more: http://www.cynmar.com/ProductDetail/09601836_Spirit-Thermometer-Dual20-To110c-Tot-Imm . These are alcohol thermometers so they don't contain mercury, which is helpful if you are clumsy and prone to breaking them like me!

 

[thinkativeone]

Sedge - Aren't those glass? :shock: Mel z, your point about glass is why I'm not using my thermometers anymore. Glass + mercury + lye = catastrophe. To me anyway.

I understand that digital works fine for some people but I don't like having to buy any more zillion types of tiny batteries than I already have to (my scale, my thermometer not related to cooking, etc. etc.). Plus batteries always go dead for me right when I'm about to start soaping. :-x So unless I get an infrared (maybe), one like the Taylor thermometer you posted is what I'm looking for. In fact I saw that one on Amazon and a list of others that were similar. I may just go look again to see if the store has them the next time I'm there, but last time I didn't see any like it. Thanks! I understand the confidence you all have with soaping at room temp but I make large batches and am not willing to risk it until I can find a small stainless steel pot at a thrift store and DH can make me a 2 lb. mold for those days when I want to experiment.

 

[Sedge]

Yes, they are glass but they are made for use in strong acids and bases. I have always used glass thermometers in research applications and have never had a problem, even when mixing stronger bases than used in soap.

EDIT: I should point out, these are made of stronger glass than candy thermometers. They are made specifically to withstand harsh use and acids and bases.

 

[ShayShay]

I use this infrared thermometer. You only need one since it doesn't come in contact with either the lye or the oils. And it's much quicker to get a read on the temp. I started off with using the two "instant" read thermometers and then switched to this. It's so much easier.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[jcandleattic]

I use this infrared thermometer. You only need one since it doesn't come in contact with either the lye or the oils. And it's much quicker to get a read on the temp. I started off with using the two "instant" read thermometers and then switched to this. It's so much easier.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Infrared thermometers are good, but you have to remember to stir whatever it is you are taking the temp of though because they will only compute the temp of the surface, and many times the surface is cooler by a couple degrees than the middle area.