PSA: fixing an intermittent Thermapen

[Fritz]

Peel up the case label and axle label carefully.
That will expose the case screws.
Depending on the generation of the Thermapen, there are 3 to 6 Philips screws to hold the case and axle together.
A Philips #1 is best.
Carefully open the case, from axle to battery.
There is a clip at the battery end.
There is an O ring on top of the axle area. Don't lose it.
There will probably be some funk around the axle and most likely caught in between the micro switch that it is keeping it from full contact to turn on.
As well as the top half of the case in the axle area.
Carefully clean the crumbs, etc, with a teensy foam stick.



I wouldn't suggest a Q-tip as you may leave more behind then you clean. Maybe a toothpick soaked in a bit of isopropyl alcohol.
You could use a bit of silicon grease I suppose, but I haven't.
Like Danco plumbing grease.
Reassemble and test before you put the labels back.

Don't get your nose caught in between the case halves.

[Lux Interior]

Fritz wrote:

Don't get your nose caught in between the case halves.

Or other dangly bits. miley-shocked003:

[special]

What is the appeal of the more expensive ThermaPen ($90) versus ThermoPop ($26)?

ThemoPop has no moving parts, less likely to break


https://www.thermoworks.com/products/

[Fritz]

I dunno, but at the time I bought ours, 20 years ago, there wasn't a cheap option that I recall.
When I bought one recently as a gift, I did buy the ThermoPro version. I don't expect it will last 20 years.