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Milk thermometer observation

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  • Milk thermometer observation

    Thought I would share what I have discovered with my milk thermometer, which might be of help to anyone starting out on this great coffee quest.

    I recently bought a new espresso machine and with it came a milk thermometer. I thought, "this will be great", as I had been using just a thermocouple before to get some idea of what the milk was doing.

    I attached the thermometer to the side of the milk jug and placed the tip about half way into the milk. Brought the milk up to about 65C. Ended up with a slightly sour taste. I made a number of flat whites and the sour taste continued, but with it being barely noticeable in some to barely drinkable in others. With all the variables I was trying to pin down with a new espresso machine and grinder, I kind of ignored it. I made a latte the other day and when I went to drink it, thought, "gee that milk seems hot". I finally got my thermocouple and decided to test the thermometer. I filled the jug up with hot water to the normal milk level (a cup full) and low and behold, there was almost a 10 degree difference!

    I pushed the thermometer down so that its tip was just above the bottom of the jug, and bingo! I got a temperature comparable to the thermocouple.

    Seems that the milk thermometer needs at least a certain portion of its stem covered in liquid before it gives a proper reading. At least thats the case with mine.

    The sour taste by the way has gone away  ;D

    So if you use a milk thermometer, check to make sure its reading a true temperature.

    Now to pin down the other thousand variables  

  • #2
    Re: Milk thermometer observation

    Ive found the same thing; when texturing milk for one drink the thermometer reading is about 10-15 degrees too low.

    My conclusion was that thermometers are unreliable and unnecessary, therefore best avoided

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    • #3
      Re: Milk thermometer observation

      Originally posted by jacs link=1206775947/0#0 date=1206775947
      .....
      I pushed the thermometer down so that its tip was just above the bottom of the jug, and bingo! I got a temperature comparable to the thermocouple.

      Seems that the milk thermometer needs at least a certain portion of its stem covered in liquid before it gives a proper reading. At least thats the case with mine.
      As you say, "bingo"

      One of many reasons why I never use a thermometer.  

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      • #4
        Re: Milk thermometer observation

        Ditto, when the jug is too hot for my hand its time to stop texturing!!

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