DIYbanter - View Single Post - Thermometers: What's the Problem with Accuracy?

Ralph Mowery

In article , lid
says...

I've been trying to buy four refrigerator/freezer thermometers and it's
frustrating how inaccurate/inconsistent they are.

For Instance:

- 4 thermometers of same make/model, hanging on the same rack.

- Alcohol bulb/glass tube - you'd think basic physics...

- Each reads a different temp from 68 to 74 degrees.

Only thing I can think of is that the card behind the glass thingie is
misaligned, but looking at these things, there does not seem to be enough
physical room for those kinds of errors.

Also, at home I have a couple of digital indoor/outdoor thermometers.

Bring the outdoor sensor inside and put it right next to the master part, and
they're a couple degrees different.

Is there any hope at all of finding four thermometers which:

- All read the same temp when placed side-by-side
- Read the correct temp.

What am I missing?

The best way to get a thermometer that should be correct is to look at
all of them in the store and see how many are showing the same
temperature.

If possiable you should take one and place it in a solution of ice and
water. It should show 32 deg F or 0 deg C. While this will only give a
one point calibration, it should hold close enough for normal ranges of
food or human comfort.