Calibrating Your Thermometer

[AKSkim]

As we enter into the summer when stream conditions become elevated we will begin to see reports on the temperatures of the various streams.

To calibrate your thermometer is very easy to do.

Place it into a glass or in this case a cooler containing ice and icy water for two minutes.

Take it out and read it. It should read 32F or 0c.

If your thermometer reads 33F, then when you read a stream temperature you just add 1 degree.

 

[dcabarle]

and I was just about to ban you for being useless. Now what am I to do?

Isn't the Icy water technically going to be a tad warmer anyway?

 

[JeffK]

No - the freezing point is right where the ice and water are in equilibrium and both coexist. If it is just ice it can be colder than the freezing point.

 

[irish1]

You know the more items you have to test you more accurate the results.

I propose we all get together and use AK's (NEFF Official Test Equipment Supplier) cooler (pictured above) to calibrate our thermometers and the procedure to follow is as follows:

1 - AK will bring his cooler filled with ice and beer.
2 - We will all remove one beer and insert (I know I'll regret the wording) our thermometers into the void created by removing the can or bottle.
3 - Drink the beer and when done remove the thermometer and note the reading.
4 – Repeat step 2 until all doubt about the result has been eliminated.

AK remember this is not the "super secret 'OK to use dirty words' forum"

 

[Corndog]

No - the freezing point is right where the ice and water are in equilibrium and both coexist. If it is just ice it can be colder than the freezing point.

Jeff,

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but isn't there a point where slush is actually colder than ice?

Cdog

 

[AKSkim]

bring his cooler filled with ice and beer.

You know Irish... I always thought there was something good about you, but until this moment I didn't know what.

I like the way you think.

ContestDog will supply the beer.

 

[Corndog]

As we enter into the summer when stream conditions become elevated we will begin to see reports on the temperatures of the various streams.

To calibrate your thermometer is very easy to do.

Place it into a glass or in this case a cooler containing ice and icy water for two minutes.

Take it out and read it. It should read 32F or 0c.

If your thermometer reads 33F, then when you read a stream temperature you just add 1 degree.

AK,

I wouldn't it be easier to just stick the thermometer up your %#$ (behind) and see if it reads 98.6 degrees.

This could be done on the river, so you could frequently test it and would not require ice.

Cdog

 

[Corndog]

You know Irish... I always thought there was something good about you, but until this moment I didn't know what.

I like the way you think.

ContestDog will supply the beer.

Irish & AK,

I'll drink to that!

Cdog

 

[AKSkim]

isn't there a point where slush is actually colder than ice? Cdog

ColdDog:

There is actually TWO different types of slush.

Fresh water slush that has a specific gravity of 1.0

Salt water slush that has a specific gravity of 1.03

The salt water (-4c) will freeze much lower temperature than than fresh (0c).

 

[AKSkim]

AK,
to just stick the thermometer up your %#$ (behind) and see if it reads 98.6 degrees. Cdog

No it wouldn't read 98.6 degrees.

I am so COOL.... more like in the 62.7 degree range.

 

[Corndog]

ColdDog:

There is actually TWO different types of slush.

Fresh water slush that has a specific gravity of 1.0

Salt water slush that has a specific gravity of 1.03

The salt water (-4c) will freeze much lower temperature than than fresh (0c).

Now that explains a lot. Road slush with rock salt mixed in is colder than ice. So, that's the reason I put rock salt in my home made ice cream maker.

It just took time getting used to salty ice cream.

Cdog