IR Thermometer

[dglas]

I found an old thread about BGE thermometer vs Thermapen. The consensus seemed to be that the BGE themometer was a cheap knock off and not as good as the Thermapen.

Research shows -- The BGE thermometer is a RTD (resistence thermal detector) while the Thermapen is a thermocouple.

The site http://www.smartsensors.com/spec.htm seems to indicate the RTD thermometer is the best of the two.

Any thoughts on this?

[RobKC]

Aren't these used for different purposes? The BGE thermometer measures smoker temp and the Thermapen is for measuring internal meat temp. I wouldn't trade my Thermapen for anything.

[Brewmaster]

Originally Posted by RobKC

Aren't these used for different purposes? The BGE thermometer measures smoker temp and the Thermapen is for measuring internal meat temp. I wouldn't trade my Thermapen for anything.

I think he is talking about this one.

[RobKC]

Thanks for the clarification. I've never seen one of those before.

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

I think he is talking about this one.

[dglas]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

I think he is talking about this one.

Correct - this is the BGE instant thermometer which I believe is quite a bit less expensive.
see -- http://www.smartsensors.com/spec.htm

[jason]

The subject of the thread is misleading, because neither the thermapen or the BGE therm are IR (Infrared) Thermometers.

[jason]

Anyways, based on your link, I think the reason why the Thermapen shines is because:

Grounded Thermocouples are inheritantly tip sensitive; while RTD elements are isolated from their sheaths. A grounded Thermocouple will respond to a 63% step change in temperature nearly 3 times faster than a RTD counterpart.

So the quicker you get your temp, the better when you are trying to keep the cooker closed as much as possible.

[dglas]

Originally Posted by jason

The subject of the thread is misleading, because neither the thermapen or the BGE therm are IR (Infrared) Thermometers.

I apologize - I was thinking IR (instant read)

[dglas]

Originally Posted by jason

Anyways, based on your link, I think the reason why the Thermapen shines is because:

So the quicker you get your temp, the better when you are trying to keep the cooker closed as much as possible.

But then again the same link says:

There are many factors to determine accuracy; linearity, stability, and repeatability to name a few that can affect accuracy. While a Thermocouple's stand alone accuracy can approach that of an RTD, the superior advantages in these other areas make the RTD the choice.

So maybe if the sole criteria is speed then Thermapen would be the choice.

[Dr_KY]

I'm not too bothered they and both faster then the old dials.

[jason]

Originally Posted by dglas

So maybe if the sole criteria is speed then Thermapen would be the choice.

That's pretty much why people prefer the Thermapen. It's fast. I don't have one but I've used one and it's a lot faster than the $10 dollar digital meat thermometer I got at Walmart. I can't really justify dropping $100 on a thermometer right now, though.

[dglas]

Originally Posted by jason

That's pretty much why people prefer the Thermapen. It's fast. I don't have one but I've used one and it's a lot faster than the $10 dollar digital meat thermometer I got at Walmart. I can't really justify dropping $100 on a thermometer right now, though.

The cost is a big factor. The BGE is $34 vs the Thermapen at $100. Seems a bit much for 3 or 4 seconds especially if there are no other advantages.