Temperature Calibration

[shakinghorizons]

What device do you use to accurately calibrate your thermometers? I saw a BRS suggestion, but am looking to see what fellow reefer use.

 

[ChrisOFL]

Ice water is most accurate. Ice water will stabilize exactly at 32F so its easier to ensure accuracy. Just make sure you use enough ice.

 

[shakinghorizons]

Ice water is most accurate. Ice water will stabilize exactly at 32F so its easier to ensure accuracy. Just make sure you use enough ice.

That doesn't seem to be accurate at all.....

 

[ChrisOFL]

That doesn't seem to be accurate at all.....

This is based on a principal of physics. Waters lowest possible temperature is exactly 0C or 32F, just like its highest maximum temperature is 100C or 212F. Water turns to ice below 32F so as long as it stays liquid, it will be exactly 32F.

It's also what the USDA recommends...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've used ice water, but it needs to be a device that can read that temp, and some reef devices do not. Most ways between 0 and 100 deg C are not DIY at home (like other boiling solvents). Note that the boiling point method depends on barometric pressure/altitude.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Ice water is great for equipment with a precise reading for a wide range of temperatures.

I use several thermometers, and tend to assume the average. not terribly accurate, but it works just fine for me.

 

[Breadman03]

Ice water is most accurate. Ice water will stabilize exactly at 32F so its easier to ensure accuracy. Just make sure you use enough ice.

That doesn't seem to be accurate at all.....

An ice slurry is a proper method of calibrating a foodservice thermometer. A FS thermometer is required to be accurate at temperatures from 40 to 170 degrees for common temperature control points, so I consider it plenty close enough to compare at reef temps.