text: I see negative reviews that mention the air gap after shipment. From what I have read, this is extremely common during shipment as they would not be kept vertical. H-B's website has a video that shows you how to use a flame (I used a common lighter) to move the liquid into the upper bulb (be careful not to fill it as it could break the glass), at which point the air bubble easily disappeared for me. I used an oven mitt to hold the thermometer. It took all of 1 minute. If the gap was towards the bottom, then maybe dry ice is necessary? Mine was towards the top. I suppose the only way around this issue is to not order from Amazon, but in a brick and mortar store so you can inspect for gaps and where they probably kept it vertical at all times and probably removed any gap themselves before putting it on the shelves. Tho it does include a pretty case, the plastic container it was shipped in seems fine as a holder for the thermometer and that is what I am using. The folded instructions are still inside, but I see no need to remove them. I cut open just the top to be able to extract the thermometer whenever I want to use it.