JoshR 4,702 Posted December 12, 2016 Introducing the Inkbird temperature controllers! We searched far and wide for the most affordable/reliable "plug and play" temp controller (no wiring needed) and settled with Inkbird. Product Features Plug and play design for easy use Dual relay output - able to connect with refrigeration and heating equipment at the same time Supports the display of Centigrade or Fahrenheit units(-50~99 °C / -58~210 °F ) Maximum output load: 1100W(110V) Dual display window - able to display measured temperature and set temperature at the same time Temperature calibration settings for accurate readings Compressor delay protection for refrigeration control High and low temperature alarms Over-temperature and sensor fault alarm Additional Specs Temperature Control Range : -50~99 °C / -58~210 ° F Temperature Resolution: 0.1 ° C / 0.1° F Temperature Accuracy: ±1°C (-50 ~ 70°C) / ±1°F (-50 ~ 160° F) Temperature Control Mode :On/Off Control, Heating and Cooling Input Power: 100 ~240VAC, 50Hz/60Hz Temperature Control Output: Max. 10A, 100V ~240V AC Buzzer Alarm: High and Low Temperature Alarm Sensor Type: NTC sensor (Including) Sensor Length: 6.56ft Input Power Cable Length: 5ft Output Power Cable Length: 1ft Dimension Body: 5.5x2.7x1.3inch Get yours HERE! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brewer 138 Posted December 12, 2016 I have to say that the Inkbird is a great temperature controller. I use it mainly for controlling the temperature of a small dorm room fridge I use as a cheese cave but you can use it to keep the temperature of your fermenter at a reasonable level in the summer or, if your basement gets too cold to allow the yeast to ferment in the winter, to control a heater. Never tried it to control the temperature of a slow cooker but I would think that you could use it to transform your crockpot into a sous vide. Unlike some controllers this one is truly "plug and play". 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D Kristof 1,186 Posted January 15, 2017 Bought mine a few months ago from another vendor. Absolutely no complaints from me. I use mine on a dorm room size mini-fridge to control fermentation and lagering temperatures. I place the temperature probe against the flat end of my LBK's and tape a sponge over it to assure it is reading liquid temperatures and not the ambient air temps. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D Kristof 1,186 Posted January 15, 2017 I am in week 2 of fermentation of Churchill Brown Nut Ale. I have the Inkbird set up to turn on the refrigerator when the beer temperature reaches 68 degrees. When the beer drops to 65 degrees, the Inkbird will turn off the power. I don't need to open the door. I don't need to worry about ice packs. I don't need to worry about the thermostat on the mini-fridge. Best investment I've made so far. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickBeer 6,360 Posted January 15, 2017 I set all mine to 64. I have my controller set to come on 1/2 degree centigrade on either side of that (which is 17.8 C). So mine goes from 63.14 (turn off) to 64.94 (turn on). A little tighter, and lower. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D Kristof 1,186 Posted January 22, 2017 On Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 1:52 PM, RickBeer said: I set all mine to 64. I have my controller set to come on 1/2 degree centigrade on either side of that (which is 17.8 C). So mine goes from 63.14 (turn off) to 64.94 (turn on). A little tighter, and lower. My first time trying this recipe. Trying to stay slightly on the cooler side of the recipe while not straying too far. I will keep your comment in mind when I evaluate this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HoppySmile! 2,339 Posted January 22, 2017 my temp controller is a dual too, but it cannot cool and heat simultaneously, so I like this model 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HoppySmile! 2,339 Posted January 22, 2017 I have my eyes on the kegerator, that's what i'm saving for right now 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tim F 1,103 Posted January 23, 2017 Hey everyone, just wanted to let you all know that these are (finally) back in stock, in case anyone had their eye on it. Your whole order still ships free when you order this (UPS Flat Rate Ground, so within the lower 48 and not PO boxes) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 3,824 Posted April 8, 2018 On 1/15/2017 at 1:04 PM, D Kristof said: I am in week 2 of fermentation of Churchill Brown Nut Ale. I have the Inkbird set up to turn on the refrigerator when the beer temperature reaches 68 degrees. When the beer drops to 65 degrees, the Inkbird will turn off the power. I don't need to open the door. I don't need to worry about ice packs. I don't need to worry about the thermostat on the mini-fridge. Best investment I've made so far. @D Kristof and @RickBeer I have a dorm style fridge being delivered tomorrow, Monday, and got the Inkbird in on Sat. Did you set your fridge thermostat for maximum cooling and then let the Inkbird control it from there? I'm thinking of setting my temp for 64 or 65 with a 1 deg temp differential and I guess leaving the compressor protection at the 3min. default? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickBeer 6,360 Posted April 8, 2018 Yes, set it on max cooling. Set compressor on 10 minutes for safety. Make sure to isolate the temp probe by putting the tip against the liquid area, covered by a folded rag/paper towel, then taped in place. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 3,824 Posted April 8, 2018 2 minutes ago, RickBeer said: Yes, set it on max cooling. Set compressor on 10 minutes for safety. Make sure to isolate the temp probe by putting the tip against the liquid area, covered by a folded rag/paper towel, then taped in place. Thanks, and good to know about increasing the compressor time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D Kristof 1,186 Posted April 9, 2018 I use a sponge to insulate my probe against the side of my LBK's, otherwise, ditto. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 3,824 Posted April 9, 2018 6 hours ago, D Kristof said: I use a sponge to insulate my probe against the side of my LBK's, otherwise, ditto. Thanks, yes have been insulating my probe on the back of my LBK in my cooler as well to read the wort temp. Although the coolers have worked very well for temp control, I'm really looking forward to the convenience of the fridge set-up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted August 31, 2018 just bought one. gonna see how it works out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shrike 6,301 Posted August 31, 2018 20 minutes ago, Jdub said: just bought one. gonna see how it works out. Congrat's! My only regret about getting one is that I waited so long. 😊 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted August 31, 2018 11 minutes ago, Shrike said: Congrat's! My only regret about getting one is that I waited so long. 😊 i mean really ales are no problem whatsoever in my cooler, like 1 water bottle change out per day. However, lagers....it would be nice to set temp at 55 and walk away. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 3,824 Posted September 1, 2018 That inkbird is a nifty little unit. While keeping up with changing ice bottles wasn't a huge chore, it is really nice to be able to dial in a temp and come back in 3 weeks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shrike 6,301 Posted September 1, 2018 29 minutes ago, Cato said: That inkbird is a nifty little unit. While keeping up with changing ice bottles wasn't a huge chore, it is really nice to be able to dial in a temp and come back in 3 weeks. Yep. And it's nice to be able to go out of town for a few days or a week or so and still be able to have a brew going. I used to have to delay brewing for an upcoming vacation. Stupid vacation, wreaking havoc with my pipeline! Then the Inkbird came to save the day. 😃 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted September 1, 2018 my ale solution for vacation time is that omega hothead yeast that @Cato turned me on to. Did that in June when out of town for a week for my Santa Rita batch. Good call. Love the flavor that it has. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted September 23, 2018 just set up my inkbird for the 1st time. doing an octoberfest lager. used the settings the rickbeer posted a while back. compressor setting at 10 min, and the temp differential at 2 deg F. what a cool device! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 3,824 Posted September 23, 2018 4 hours ago, Jdub said: just set up my inkbird for the 1st time. doing an octoberfest lager. used the settings the rickbeer posted a while back. compressor setting at 10 min, and the temp differential at 2 deg F. what a cool device! You'll really like that controller. Pretty much set it and forget it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted September 23, 2018 17 minutes ago, Cato said: You'll really like that controller. Pretty much set it and forget it. im pretty excited about it. i know it's old tech, but it's new to me. i have a pretty detailed lagering temp schedule, so it should be easy to adjust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 3,824 Posted September 23, 2018 Good for cold crashing too! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted October 4, 2018 We had a power outage for about an hour today in our neighborhood for whatever reason. Does it make me a bad person that my 1st thought was will i have to reset my inkbird controller? 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cato 3,824 Posted October 5, 2018 44 minutes ago, Jdub said: We had a power outage for about an hour today in our neighborhood for whatever reason. Does it make me a bad person that my 1st thought was will i have to reset my inkbird controller? Lol, my first thought would be my beer in the fermenter! I mean that's like some basic survival instinct. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted October 5, 2018 1 hour ago, Cato said: Lol, my first thought would be my beer in the fermenter! I mean that's like some basic survival instinct. i mean, like no kidding....forget the milk, meat, eggs and stuff in the kitchen fridge. I'm not quite two weeks deep into lagering an octoberfest people! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scouterbill 885 Posted October 6, 2018 Is it bad that I've got my fermentation fridge and temperature control on an uninterruptible power supply? ☺️ 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D Kristof 1,186 Posted October 6, 2018 6 hours ago, scouterbill said: Is it bad that I've got my fermentation fridge and temperature control on an uninterruptible power supply? ☺️ My first reaction was to laugh. My second was, "Sumbitch! That's brilliant!" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scouterbill 885 Posted October 7, 2018 1 hour ago, D Kristof said: My first reaction was to laugh. My second was, "Sumbitch! That's brilliant!" Priorities! 😉 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDawg62 1,080 Posted October 8, 2018 On 10/4/2018 at 7:58 PM, Jdub said: We had a power outage for about an hour today in our neighborhood for whatever reason. Does it make me a bad person that my 1st thought was will i have to reset my inkbird controller? Not a bad thought at all. That just means you are a brewer and during any crisis you will take care of your human family first then you will without a doubt take care or your one celled family. Those yeast are our children too and they deserve to be high on our priority list in a crisis situation.😂 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites