This is funny:
Now totally off topic but when cold Budweiser also taste like piss (not that I ever sampled piss). I spent considerable time in Europe during my younger travels and most Europeans who had tried Bud as well as other American brews told me they taste like warm puppy pee, so go figure.
That sucks about that nice little unit. Trains? Even going about troubleshooting something like that is a challenge.
I figure if the OP can get a few temps maybe with luck the thermistor can be matched up. Maybe?
Ron