Comments on: I’m Finding It Hard to Hold a Grudge Against My Lying Thermometers http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html In LA, but Still Exploring Desserts Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:52:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Nina http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26239 Nina Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:39:45 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26239 Aw, thanks! I thought that sudden changes might have something to do with it. It's just weird that it didn't have a visual indication that it was off -- like bubbles or separated mercury. I guess something happened to the material itself. The thermapen isn't perfect to use -- it's awkward to hold over a bubbling pot -- but man, reading the digital display is so much nicer than reading the analogue... If my neck could sigh in relief, I think it would every time don't have to crouch down anymore. :) Aw, thanks!

I thought that sudden changes might have something to do with it. It’s just weird that it didn’t have a visual indication that it was off — like bubbles or separated mercury. I guess something happened to the material itself.

The thermapen isn’t perfect to use — it’s awkward to hold over a bubbling pot — but man, reading the digital display is so much nicer than reading the analogue… If my neck could sigh in relief, I think it would every time don’t have to crouch down anymore. :)

]]> By: Mark http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26217 Mark Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:05:26 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26217 The best thing to do to keep your Taylor thermometer accurate is to avoid any sudden and extreme changes in temperature - like putting it into cold water when it is hot. Let it cool slowly and no mercury will rise to the top. Unfortunately, if you buy a thermometer that is already inaccurate there is no way to calibrate it and you have to buy new one. Concerning chocolate, that is one thing that I have little experience with. I never have had much luck with tempering and would probably buy a machine if I decided to make chocolates. For that reason I have the utmost respect for chocolatiers, including you (sure, I'll say it - your chocolates are the best!). The best thing to do to keep your Taylor thermometer accurate is to avoid any sudden and extreme changes in temperature - like putting it into cold water when it is hot. Let it cool slowly and no mercury will rise to the top. Unfortunately, if you buy a thermometer that is already inaccurate there is no way to calibrate it and you have to buy new one.

Concerning chocolate, that is one thing that I have little experience with. I never have had much luck with tempering and would probably buy a machine if I decided to make chocolates. For that reason I have the utmost respect for chocolatiers, including you (sure, I’ll say it - your chocolates are the best!).

]]> By: Nina http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26216 Nina Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:24:02 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26216 Do you have any certain ways of taking good care of it? I really wanted to stick with the Taylor... I've never had bubbles form, but with my first one, about 2F worth of mercury somehow rose to the top of the tube and stayed there, so it was 2F off. One that I bought earlier this year had a condition where the numbers rubbed off when exposed to water -- I've read reviews on Amazon that mention the same thing, they must have had a print-faulty batch. And exactly, the probe skips around -- and goes down a couple degrees occasionally! So happy I don't have to use it anymore. And the laser thermometer is perfect for chocolate -- no mess or chocolate setting onto it, and so accurate. I got it as my first culinary toy before I knew I'd go into chocolate. It wasn't the reason that I went into chocolate, but it didn't hurt... It's just so cool and fun. :) Do you have any certain ways of taking good care of it?

I really wanted to stick with the Taylor… I’ve never had bubbles form, but with my first one, about 2F worth of mercury somehow rose to the top of the tube and stayed there, so it was 2F off. One that I bought earlier this year had a condition where the numbers rubbed off when exposed to water — I’ve read reviews on Amazon that mention the same thing, they must have had a print-faulty batch.

And exactly, the probe skips around — and goes down a couple degrees occasionally! So happy I don’t have to use it anymore.

And the laser thermometer is perfect for chocolate — no mess or chocolate setting onto it, and so accurate. I got it as my first culinary toy before I knew I’d go into chocolate. It wasn’t the reason that I went into chocolate, but it didn’t hurt… It’s just so cool and fun. :)

]]> By: Mark http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26215 Mark Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:11:38 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26215 I've used the Taylor thermometer for years and will swear by it. The only problem I've had is when the mercury forms those annoying little bubbles that just don't go away, but that shouldn't happen if you take good care of it. As for the probe, I never liked the way the temperature skipped around. And I never have had the urge to get a laser thermometer - I guess I'm just old-fashioned. I’ve used the Taylor thermometer for years and will swear by it. The only problem I’ve had is when the mercury forms those annoying little bubbles that just don’t go away, but that shouldn’t happen if you take good care of it. As for the probe, I never liked the way the temperature skipped around. And I never have had the urge to get a laser thermometer - I guess I’m just old-fashioned.

]]> By: Nina http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26201 Nina Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:32:49 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26201 I'll let you know how it works out for me! And seriously, now I'm doubtful about all my boiling temps and will have to see how well they work out with the new thermometer. I just hope it'll be my last stop on this thermometer train. :) I’ll let you know how it works out for me!
And seriously, now I’m doubtful about all my boiling temps and will have to see how well they work out with the new thermometer. I just hope it’ll be my last stop on this thermometer train. :)

]]> By: Tina Marie http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26200 Tina Marie Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:39:08 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/07/08/im-finding-it-hard-to-hold-a-grudge-against-my-lying-thermometers.html#comment-26200 As an amateur chocolate/candy maker, I've had the same issues with thermometers. I've probably been through half a dozen, and I've still not found one that works consistently. I'll have to look into the thermapen - thanks for the link! As an amateur chocolate/candy maker, I’ve had the same issues with thermometers. I’ve probably been through half a dozen, and I’ve still not found one that works consistently. I’ll have to look into the thermapen - thanks for the link!

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