Does anyone make a gauge that will last?
You might try an all stainless gauge (inside and out). I just did that after replacing two of the regular $10 gauges in two years. Grainger carries them and mine was $25.25. They normally sell business-to-business but might sell to you directly if you stop by one of their stores. Here's the link to the one I bought:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4TA11