Buying guide for Best Galileo thermometers
Knowing the temperature is important, useful information; the means of gauging that temperature, however, can take a lot of forms. The Galileo thermometer, named for the famed Italian scientist, offers both functionality and aesthetics when it comes to measuring the temperature in a room.
The Galileo thermometer is a centuries-old device that measures temperature. It typically sits on a shelf or table and includes a glass cylinder filled with liquid within which are small glass bulbs filled with different colors of liquid. These bulbs rise and fall as the temperature changes. While it might take some time to learn to read the thermometer, it is a fairly accurate device that can add a bit of ornamentation and sophistication to any room.
The basic structure and components are the same for all Galileo thermometers, but there are various extras and additions that can influence the look and size of the unit. Our buying guide explains how the device works, its history and application, and how to find the right Galileo thermometer for your home. We’ve included a few of our favorites to get your shopping started too.
Key considerations
Invention
The Galileo thermometer was invented in the mid-1600s, but not in fact by the prolific astronomer and engineer after whom it’s named. It was created by a group of academics at the Accademia del Cimento in Florence, Italy, an academy begun by students of Galileo. Their invention was inspired by him and named for him. Galileo is credited with the invention of the thermoscope, which tracked changes in temperature and laid the foundation for the modern thermometer.
How it works
The Galileo thermometer includes a glass tube filled with liquid. In the past, this was an ethanol mixture or even wine, but today it’s typically mineral oil. Inside the cylinder are several small glass bulbs, each filled with a colored liquid, either alcohol or water with food coloring. The bulbs are designed to have the same density.
Attached to each bulb is a weighted tag with a number that indicates a temperature. The weights are calibrated to slightly change the density of the bulbs. When the air temperature around the cylinder changes, the water temperature inside it changes, changing the density of the water. Water density decreases as temperature increases, and vice versa. When the density of the water changes, the bulbs either float or sink. To find the temperature, you look for the bulb that’s suspended near the middle of the cylinder, ignoring those that float to the top or sink to the bottom.
Size
Galileo thermometers vary in size, but this doesn’t affect their function. Size does affect where you can display the device and how it looks. Most are between 8 and 15 inches tall, though there are bigger ones, some as tall as 24 inches.
Most have a relatively small diameter with a glass base that isn’t much bigger than the cyliner. Others are built into a larger wooden frame that also includes other devices, such as a barometer or clock.
Galileo’s precursor to the thermometer had a crucial flaw. Since his thermoscope, or air thermometer, had an open tube instead of a closed one, it also measured barometric pressure, which influenced the temperature readings.
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Features
Temperature range
Modern Galileo thermometers for use in a home have a limited temperature range such as you would find in such a space. Most offer temperature readings between 64°F and 80°F. What’s more, because there is a limited number of bulbs in the cylinder, they don’t correspond to every temperature. For example, a basic Galileo thermometer has five bulbs tagged with 64°F, 68°F, 72°F, 76°F, and 80°F.
Larger Galileo thermometers that include more bulbs offer more precision. Some options have as many as 10 or more bulbs. The more bulbs, the wider the cylinder. And more bulbs offer greater precision and a wider temperature range, from as low as 60°F in some cases to 100°F.
Added devices
Some Galileo thermometers are built into cabinetry that includes other devices, such as a barometer, hygrometer, and analog clock. These additional devices increase the size of the unit and the price.
Other Galileo thermometers are simply paired with a globe-shaped glass barometer that’s also filled with a colored liquid.
Base or hook
Some Galileo thermometers have a decorative base, often made of wood. The type of wood and finish vary, so you can match the thermometer to your décor.
Some options do not have a base and instead include a metal frame and hook or just a hook so the thermometer can be hung.
Shape
Most Galileo thermometers are tall, cylindrical tubes, but there are also some innovative options that are large spheres. These use the same principle but offer a significantly different aesthetic. The spheres may also be attached to a base or suspended by a stand, not unlike those with some glass whiskey decanters.
Colors
The liquid in the small bulbs is colored in order to add an eye-catching aesthetic to the unit, but the colors don’t affect the functionality or operation of the thermometer. Many have red, green, blue, and yellow bulbs, but others have less common shades. If you’re seeking a more modern look, there are Galileo thermometers that include bulbs filled with black liquid.
Did You Know?
Most Galileo thermometers give readings in Fahrenheit, but some also give readings in Celsius.
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Pricing
Inexpensive: A small, basic Galileo thermometer with five bulbs costs around $25.
Mid-range: Most Galileo thermometers cost between $25 and $50, with options in terms of the number of bulbs, size, and additional devices or decoration.
Expensive: The largest and most elaborate Galileo thermometers cost over $50. These might include a variety of other devices and be impressive statement pieces.
Galileo Galilei was born in Florence in 1564 and is credited with a great many scientific inventions, innovations, and ideas in physics, astronomy, and mathematics.
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Tips
- Position your thermometer correctly. Place your Galileo thermometer on a stable foundation where it won’t be jostled or bumped. And position it out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can influence the reading and affect the accuracy of the measurement of the room temperature.
- Display your thermometer inside. Due to their small temperature range and glass construction, most Galileo thermometers are not meant to be used outside. However, there are some that come in a protective metal frame that can be hung outdoors.
- Check the quality of the glass. Look for a thermometer with a cylinder and bulbs made of high-quality, hand-blown glass for durability and clarity.
- Match the thermometer to your décor. Galileo thermometers are enjoyed for their appearance more than their function. Seek one that has a size, shape, and color combination that best complement your space.
FAQ
Q. How do I read the thermometer if there’s no bulb floating in the middle of the unit?
A. In some cases, the bulbs may all be at the top or bottom of the cylinder. In that case, look for the numbers on the bulbs and where the bulbs are located. With a cluster of high-temperature bulbs at one end and a cluster of low-temperature bulbs at the other, the actual temperature is in between those two ranges. To determine a more exact temperature, note the lowest hanging bulb at the top and the highest bulb at the bottom. Add the two numbers and divide by two to calculate the current temperature.
Q. How precise is a Galileo thermometer?
A. Galileo thermometers are fairly accurate, however, their precision comes with a few caveats. The temperature in the room needs to be within the range that the Galileo thermometer can read, which is why these devices are used indoors. In most cases, they aren’t designed to track extreme heat or cold. If the temperature is too hot, all the bulbs will sink. If the temperature is too cold, all the bulbs will float. In this case, the temperature is colder than the highest bulb or hotter than the lowest.
Q. Can a Galileo thermometer be used outside?
A. While a Galileo thermometer can be used outside to measure the temperature, it should be done so with caution and only for a short period of time. It shouldn’t be left outside in inclement weather because the unit is relatively fragile and the liquids may freeze if the temperature drops low enough.
However, the thermometer only takes a few minutes to adjust to a temperature change, so you can take it outside for a reading. Set it on a table or hang it from a hook. Don’t hold it in your hands because your body temperature will influence the reading. The thermometer can also be submerged to determine water temperature, though this should be used for demonstrative purposes and not for accurate readings.
