Hands On Review: CDN DTQ450X Quick Read Thermometer – Includes Accuracy and Response Time Tests

Updated: 6/11/2024

The DTQ450X from Component Design (CDN) is a quick read digital thermometer thermometer.  It is NSF listed and waterproof. Here’s an in depth hands on review of this thermometer.

Hands on Review CDN DTQ450X Quick Read Thermometer

In the packageBottom viewBattery Door

Completely submerged.  Note: The manual explicitly says not to do this.  Guess what?  I did it!  I completely submerged this thermometer for version 1 of this review sometime around November of 2012.  The thermometer has gotten plenty wet since then and is still performing like a champ.  I’m not suggesting that you completely submerge yours.  You should follow the manual’s instructions.  I am saying, mine has held up to this type of treatment.

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Accuracy Tests:

I’ve experienced different boiling temperature on different days using the same equipment and testing methods.  Boiling temperature is a moving target.  It is based on elevation and atmospheric conditions.  The day of this test, boiling point was a consistent 211.8 deg F as read by my highly accurate Thermapen.

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The CDN DTQ450X reads 211.6 deg F.  It’s reading to .2 deg F low.  Well within it’s stated accuracy of +- 2 deg F.  Practically speaking, for our needs, this is right on.Ice water is a more reliable reference point.  Here is the CDN DTQ450X head to head with the Thermapen.  As you can see, the Thermapen reads right at 32 deg F.  The CDN DTQ450X reads 32.9 deg F.  Again, well within it’s stated 2 deg F range.  This is a good result.  Not great, but good.  That fact that it is more accurate at the higher range bodes well for homebrewers.  We’re much closer to that end of the spectrum for most of the things we’re doing.

Response Time Test:

This video shows a response time test using the CDN DTQ450X.  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 thermometer is submerged at 2.28 seconds into the video.  It levels out at 138.3 deg F at 5.7 seconds.  That’s a response time of… 3.42 seconds.  For .1 deg F resolution, that’s a great response time.  In fact, it’s 1.98 seconds faster than a similar test I completed on my review of ThermoWorks Thermapen.The DTQ450X measuring grain temperature

Conclusions

I’ve used the CDN DTQ450X since October of 2012.  This same unit continues to look and function well.  It’s also a key component of my Brew Day Box.  It displays very good accuracy and it has a very, very good response time.  If you’re looking for a thermometer for homebrewing and general use this is an excellent choice that I can recommend based on experience.

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “brew” – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

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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:cdndtq450x rs:8 tag:tpr

3 thoughts on “Hands On Review: CDN DTQ450X Quick Read Thermometer – Includes Accuracy and Response Time Tests”

  1. Anonymous

    This is a quote from the instruction manual.

    Important: DO NOT LEAVE IN HOT OVEN OR
    MICROWAVE. DO NOT IMMERSE THERMOMETER
    HEAD IN WATER

    Reply ↓
  2. Anonymous

    I have two of these and (still) think it’s a great product but you may want to be more careful with it around liquids. After hand-washing one of mine after normal use it started acting real weird the next time I went to use it. It was flipping back and forth between Celsius/Fahrenheit every couple seconds by itself, flipping back and forth between Celsius/Fahrenheit when I press the On/Off button, the display was dim and sort of flickering on and off. I put it in a bowl with some dry uncooked rice for a day to try and get the moisture out of it and it works again. Just a heads up for owners/potential buyers.

    Reply ↓

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