What Thermometer

Do you guys use with your incubator? I have a brand new AcuRite, but I'm a little nervous about that now, since I keep reading how people are using temp guns and finding their AcuRites to be off by as much as 14 degrees.

What thermometer do YOU use to monitor the temps inside the egg box?

On the Big Apple Herp, it came with one that looks like a meat thermometer. I just compare that number with the temp gun, and adjust accordingly.

But with the one I am building, I am going to be checking and comparing every day with the thermostat reading and the temp gun to be sure...

Its a tough call when you want everything to be perfect...

Well, I thought I had everything ready, but now I'm just majorly stressing on the AcuRite. I do want a thermometer that's accurate that I can see at a glance without having to open the incubator to measure with a temp gun.

Something else to worry about!

I think accurite produces a good wireless one.
And i can't say that they are this far off the actual temp.

Herpstat Pro...

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Originally Posted by RKO

Herpstat Pro...

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Good try but thats a thermostat:)

Robin, I believe there are thermometers that are accompanied by certifications/guarantees of accuracy but they are pricey, I don't know of any specific brands but I'll google it for ya.


ASTM thermometers are lab grade, but I believe most of them are mercury, and I am still looking for a digital one. I am very intereted in finding a more accurate device to measure temps as my two digital probes are 3 degrees apart almost 100% of the time.

So far its looking like the most accurate digital thermometers that are feasible to use in an incubator or enclosure are the meat and poultry calibrated ones. They are about $30 and there are quite a few brands. The only thing to be careful about with those is to make sure the temp range isn't like 100-500, there are some that are 0-500.

So far I can't find any lab grade digital thermometers for under $100, so I'll keep looking. Let us know if you find anything you think may be more reliable.

Thanks Missi! I'll definitely check them out. I was really hoping more people would post what they use. And if they use AcuRite, if they've had no problems.

I agree, I have heard a few members mention calibrated thermometers before and was hoping anyone with one would post, oh well for now.

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Originally Posted by missi182

Good try but thats a thermostat:)

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I think I'm confused! I have never hatched BP eggs before, so please educate me :oops:

Don't you just use the thermostats probe temp as the incubation temp guideline?
Shouldn't you have a thermostat hooked up to your incubator? What would be the need of a secondary thermometer if you are using a t-stat (Helix/Herpstat)?

I frequently test my all thermometers with a temp gun, just for piece of mind. I am currently using 7+ of the AcuRite thermometers in various settings. I tested them just now and of the 7 tested - 4 were spot on, 1 measured 2 degrees higher, one measured 1 degree higher and the other measured 1 degree lower.

I think a lot of the discrepancy between thermometers/temp guns may have to do with the actual "surface" temp being tested... ie; ambient temps will be off compared to "stuck on- hot spots"... if that makes sense :weirdface