What's the deal with thermo couplers?

[RonB]

Our oven temp fluctuates widely. I was using a bbq thermometer with a long probe to monitor temp, but it died. The replacement is not very accurate - off at least 15-20F at baking temps, and off about 5F for boiling water. I am going to return it, but I need a replacement.
Doing research, I ran across thermo couplers and wonder if they would do the same thing? It looks like I would need the tc and some type of probe.
Any info on experience with these would be appreciated.
Thanx,
Ron

 

[Elan]

I'm not really sure what you're asking, but thermocouples, generally speaking, convert a temperature differential into an electrical signal. So a thermocouple could be used as a feedback device to regulate your oven temperature, but not without some other circuitry and hardware.

If you just want to monitor your oven temperature, you can buy a digital multimeter that accepts a thermocouple. You can definitely improve the temperature measurement accuracy this way, but it's kind of an expensive route, and it doesn't really solve the problem of oven temp variation.

 

[Makai Guy]

The correct term is thermocouple. They are a common temperature measuring transducer used in most temperature measuring devices and are probably what is present in your oven and bbq thermometer. Wikipedia article.

 

[RonB]

I should have been a little clearer. I just want to monitor the oven temp accurately. I have a calibrated Thermopen, but that won't help in the oven. I have not found a bbq thermometer that claims to be calibrated, and the one I have now is just not close. The thermocouples I have seen all claim to be accurate to + or - around .5 percent. That equals 2F for a 400F temp. That's very acceptable for baking bread.
Thanx,
Ron

 

[Elan]

I should have been a little clearer. I just want to monitor the oven temp accurately. I have a calibrated Thermopen, but that won't help in the oven. I have not found a bbq thermometer that claims to be calibrated, and the one I have now is just not close. The thermocouples I have seen all claim to be accurate to + or - around .5 percent. That equals 2F for a 400F temp. That's very acceptable for baking bread.
Thanx,
Ron

In that case, then I think a thermocouple type thermometer is a great idea. Of course, it still does nothing about the inherent fluctuations in oven temp. But it might justify buying a new oven.

 

[RonB]

In that case, then I think a thermocouple type thermometer is a great idea. Of course, it still does nothing about the inherent fluctuations in oven temp. But it might justify buying a new oven.

This is the new over... When we built the house about 25 yrs ago, we bought an inexpensive stove. We replaced it 4 or 5 yrs ago.

Thanx,
Ron

 

[Elan]

This is the new over... When we built the house about 25 yrs ago, we bought an inexpensive stove. We replaced it 4 or 5 yrs ago.

Thanx,
Ron

Ahhh, bummer! Best of luck.