Hands On Review: ThermoWorks Classic Thermapen

thermapen classic review

Updated: October 26, 2024

Hands on Review ThermoWorks Thermapen Classic

The Thermapen Classic is a… classic. 🙂 Seriously though, it’s well, built, super fast, reliable and does what it’s supposed to well.

Here’s a hands on look at the Thermapen Classic with response time tests accuracy tests and more.

Limited Time DEAL

ThermoWorks has this great thermometer marked down to just $59. No coupon code is needed.  Check product page to see if you can still get in on this.

Valid on Blue, Black, & Red only

Classic Super-Fast® Thermapen®

Related: Thermapen ONE – Hands on Review

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thermapen historyFrom left to right – Original Thermapen, Thermapen MK2, Super Fast Thermapen (now sold as Thermapen Classic), MK4, Thermapen ONE

Unboxing the Thermapen Classic

In the boxThe shipping box says… ThermoWorks.  That’s good because you know it’s from ThermoWorks that way. 🙂Back of the package.  Note: Identifying numbers including serial numbers and UKAS Certificate number have been blanked out in several of these photos, including this one.The NIST Traceable Certificate of Calibration.The Classic Thermapen unboxedBack sideUnfolded.  This automatically turns on and off as the probe is unfolded and folded back in.  I was a bit surprised by how large this is.  I think that’s a good thing.  The larger body size makes it easy to hold on to.  It also feels solid and well made.For size comparison.  Unfolded next to the CDN DTQ450X – ReviewFor size comparison.  Folded next to the CDN DTQ450X.

Accuracy Tests

I used my Lifeline 7500 Stainless Growler – Review – to create a consistent ice bath.  Hey, guess what.  It reads exactly 32 degrees.The Thermapen measuring boiling water. It reads 211.8. The boiling point of water varies based on elevation/barometric pressure and mineral content of the water.  On two separate days, I’ve gotten two consistent and different readings for the boiling point of water.  The last time I tested, it was consistently 211.4 deg F.  The day this picture was taken with the water I was using, the boiling point of water was consistently 211.8 deg F.  Although I’m sure you could figure out what the boiling point of water should be at any one point in time based on atmospheric conditions, it’s really… a moving target.  Ice water is a much more consistent temperature.  The good news for calibrating thermometers at boiling temperature is that, for homebrewers, a variance of .4 to .6 isn’t usually a big deal.How do you know that your highly accurate Thermapen (+- .7 deg F) with NIST Traceable Calibration is really accurate?  You use a even more accurate Reference Thermapen  (+- .07 deg F) that is calibrated to 5 points and reads to the nearest 1/100th of a degree.  This shows the Thermapen next to the Reference Thermapen, reading the same temperature.  By the way… I wouldn’t recommend using a Reference Thermapen on brew day.  What you gain in accuracy, you give up in response time.  It’s about 20 seconds, which is great for 5 point accuracy, but an unneeded trade off for most brewing applications.  The Reference model is good for double checking and calibrating other thermometers.

Thermapen Classic Response Time Testing

Test 1 – This video shows a response time test using the Thermapen.  I tried to do this with water that was around mash temperature.  I’m counting the start of the test as right when the metal basket hits the water.  The probe of the Thermapen is submerged at 3.42 seconds into the video.  It levels out at 149 deg F at 4.98 seconds.  That’s a response time of… 1.56 seconds.  That’s crazy.  It’s like this thing knows what you’re going to put it into and uses xray vision to start testing as it’s traveling.

 

Test 2 – By default, the Thermapen displays whole degrees.  I changed that setting to tenths and did another response time test.  The Thermapen is submerged at 1.06 seconds.  It levels out at 130.4 deg F at 6.46 seconds.  That’s a response time of 5.4 seconds.  It’s not quite as eerie as the whole degree test, but it’s still an excellent response time.

Using the Thermapen Classic on Brew Day

Here is the Thermapen checking the temperature on the grain bill for More Beer’s Citra Pale Ale KitChecking mash temp.  My mash for this beer came in a little low, I was aiming for 152 deg F.

Thermapen Classic Specifications

  • Range -58.0 to 572.0°F (-49.9 to 299.9°C)
  • Accuracy ±0.7°F (±0.4°C) from -58 to 392°F (-49.9 to 199.9°C), ±1.8°F (±1.0°C) from 392 to 572°F (200 to 299.9°C)
  • Resolution 0.1°F/°C full range (user reconfigurable to 1.0°F/°C)
  • Response Time From 75°F to 32°F: ≤ 3 seconds to within 1°F
  • Probe 4.5 L inches, High Performance Type K Thermocouple
  • Display 0.55 inches (14mm) LCD
  • Auto Shutoff 10 Minutes (user reconfigurable to disable auto-off)
  • Environmental Range -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C)
  • Battery CR2032 (3V) lithium coin cell x 2, 1500 hours
  • Dimensions 1.85 H x 6.1 W x 0.75 D inches (47 H x 153 W x 19 D mm)
  • Weight 0.25 lbs (97g)
  • Certificate Includes NIST-Traceable calibration certificate

Conclusions

Because of my work on Homebrew Finds, I own a lot of thermometers.  A lot.  Overall, this is one of the nicest brewing thermometers I own.  It is extremely well built, has an amazing response time and it is spot on accurate.  After years of use and hearing from readers, I can also tell you that Thermoworks offers outstanding support.

This is a great brewing thermometer that I’ve used for years and years and can wholeheartedly recommend it to you.

Classic Super-Fast Thermapen

Also: Complete Thermapen LIneup from ThermoWorks | ThermoWorks Coupons & Deals

Get a Coupon: We have one time use 10% off coupons.  Those do not work with sale items but the will work with everything else.  If you’re planning to get something else along with this sale item… Get a coupon

Related: Thermapen ONE Hands on Review

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Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions. tag:lnksfxd review:classicthermapen tag:tpr

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