Alliance Brew Gear Thermometers are a tough, dependable instrument. They do, however, require calibration from time to time, just like any other analog thermometer. We recommend reviewing accuracy every few months in most cases, but depending on the size of your operations, you may want to check it more frequently. 

Knowing when to recalibrate: 

The fastest method is to fill a glass with hot (near boiling) water. In the glass, place both digital and traditional thermometers. Allow 60-90 seconds for the water temperature to settle. After then, compare the analog and digital thermometer readings. You will need to re-calibrate if there is a difference. A variance of +/- 35.6°F/2°C is deemed appropriate for most analog thermometers. 

Note:

It is always a promising idea to check a few various temperatures during the calibration process, such as 167°F/75°C, 104°F/40°C, and 50°F/10°C. For a faster temperature shift, add cold water to the glass of near-boiling water. This procedure ensures that the thermometer reads accurately over the whole temperature range. 

*Before comparing temperatures, wait 60-90 seconds for the temperature to settle*

Use the cold-water method to calibrate: pour broken ice into a glass or pitcher, then add cold water until the mixture is slushy. After the ice and water mixture has reached the desired consistency, stir it for 30-45 seconds before allowing it to sit for another 2-3 minutes to allow the temperature to stabilize. 

Using the hot water method to calibrate: Bring a container of water to a boil and use the 212°F/100°C mark as a gauge. If you are using water from your coffee machine’s boiler, keep in mind that boiling water (212°F/100°C) does not distribute evenly. Please do not use this as a gauge. 

If there is a difference between the analog and digital thermometers, a simple recalibration can be performed (this process usually takes a couple of minutes). 

When there is a discrepancy between analog and digital, here is how to recalibrate: 

1. Find the nut at the top of the thermometer stem 
2. Adjust the needle so that it is in a position showing the correct temperature.
3. While gripping the dial/face, lock the spanner onto the rear of the dial’s recalibration nut.
4. To raise the temperature, turn the temperature recalibration nut clockwise.
5. To lower the temperature, spin the recalibration nut in the opposite way.

This adjustment may take a few tries to get the needle in the ‘ideal’ position, but the ability to recalibrate is critical to extending the life of your analog thermometer. 

Using the cold water or hot water method, insert the thermometer and adjust temperature readings accordingly using the method above. If you are using boiling water, set the needle to 212°F/100°C, or 32°F/0°C if you are using freezing water.