Ok this may seem an obvious one, but I can't figure out where to get one (have searched a few supermarket websites, B&Q, Wilkos, Wilco motosave etc). I just want a thermometer to shove in a pan to test a thermostat so I am looking for one of those glass type ones and it has to be able to read boiling point.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

a chemist?

Boots probably have them, maybe Mothercare or eBay

Chris

any online lab supplier try Jencons New Interface

have you tried the local garden centre?

Found on the net a place called "Hydroponic & Growlight Centre Ltd" not far from me. Sounds like the sort of place to stock them.

The last time I wanted a thermometer, I had to go to a "real ironmonger" (not a "DIY superstore").

Won't one from Boots do the job?

Online boots only list these electronic thingies that probably can't measure up to boiling point. Worth trying in case they stock the glass ones tho. Will have a look around .

The last time I wanted a thermometer, I had to go to a "real ironmonger" (not a "DIY superstore").

That's what I would try, too - one of the shops that also sells pots and pans and other kitchen equipment. The kitchen is were you expect to find a thermometer that goes a bit above boiling temperature (for cooking jam, marmalade and so on)

Trouble is that real ironmongers seem to be a species threatened with extinction:(

Maybe your mother - or a neighbour - has one lying about in a cupboard somewhere?

I suppose this meat thermometer might do the job...

IKEA | Preparing & storing | Measuring utensils | FANTAST

but of course, thats what SWMBO uses when making jam or toffee or whatever. Should work perfectly. And surely they could be found at your local supermarket if they have at least something long the line of kitchen utensils?

Tried Boots who say they no longer sell them due to the chemicals, looked in various places around pans and cooking things and no luck. Ikea is usually good value for money so mayaswell just go grab one of those, stock up on Koparberg and save me the hassle suppose it doesn't matter that it's meant to be surrounded by meat as it will be surrounded by water.

but of course, thats what SWMBO uses when making jam or toffee or whatever. Should work perfectly. And surely they could be found at your local supermarket if they have at least something long the line of kitchen utensils?

not in my local tesco's or sainsburys. it was the first place i thought of (after getting a tyre pressure gauge from them).

The Ikea meat thermometer reads 99 degrees c in my boiling kettle, which seems accurate enough for my purposes. It seems to have reasonable response/update time too, and you can set an alarm for when a certain temperature is reached. So if you boil the water slowly enough, set the alarm at thermostat open temperature, that should be a good way to test a thermostat

if you think its suspect just fit a new thermostat , it'll save the hassle of buying thermometers, having a car off the road whilst the thermostat is tested , the bus journey to the motor factors or dealers only to be told they don't have one in stock , it will have to be ordered , getting the bus back home , making up a cornflakes packet gasket so you can refit the old thermostat , but refilling the system without antifreeze , then having it freeze over night ;-)

p.s. be careful in boiling water, a thermom that is used for body temp is not safe in boiling water, they can shatter, best to make sure it's actually used for the correct purpose, I saw some for tropical fish tanks that went pasyt boiling not sure why though as the fish would be fried....:(

It's a new thermostat that's suspect unfortunately, otherwise I'd just replace it. If I can test precisely whether it is working as expected, then I have some ammo to get a replacement from Skoda. I wonder if they'd drop in a bottle of g12+ for my time and trouble. Probably not, lol. My car is taking 17 minutes to get up to the proper temperature.