thermometer

[teetotaler]

Can someone recommend a reliable thermometer. I have gone through 3 so far. Now this last one is unreliable. It's jumping around instead of slowly increasing smoothly. So it can show e.g. 90 then stay there and suddenly go to 110. I find my milk gets way too hot for my taste.

[Dragunov21]

Taylor 9842.

Waterproof, easily calibrated, thin-tip probe for fast response, -40°C to 230°C in increments of 0.1°C, auto-off after 5-10min, can't remember which.

[Thundergod]

I use a stick on one for the jug.

[thegoner]

There is also jugs available with an inbuilt sticker thermometer. They're a touch over $50.

[robusto]

We all have different sensitivity to heat and cold, but I find the best gauge of when the milk is sufficiently steamed, is my fingers. I put them under the jug during steaming, and stop when I feel--literally--that the temperature is comfortable for drinking.

[Robbks]

I use the fleshy part of the back of my hand, near the knuckles of my forefinger and thumb.
on the side of the jug towards the bottom

[kutis]

Thermapen, super fast, great for steaks, but costs like $100 and you'll need to use your existing clip (meant for general cooking not milk jug).

I'd go for a Temptag sticker. Around $15 or so for a sheet of 4, for the one with 3 temperature stages.