IR guns for wood stove use

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Lumberjack

Member
Jan 2, 2008
167
Western CT
Yep, I've had that exact model for a few years and have been very happy with. Takes a beating too as my boys seem to believe its sole purpose in the world is to use the laser to torment our cat.

The only thing i have found is that it does not take the temperature of very shiny objects accurately (IE, my stainless steel range top).

Moving this thread over into the gear room.

pen
 
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Nope . . . not OCD . . . many of us have purchased an IR thermometer . . . if nothing else it can clue you in as to whether the magnetic thermo is accurate/inaccurate. I use mine occasionally on the stove top . . . or stove side . . . hearth temp . . . wall temp . . . cat's temp . . . to see how hot my wife is . . . etc.
 
I did that, once <>

So were you able to repair the IR thermometer after it was tossed against the wall . . . or did you have to buy a new one? ;)
 
So were you able to repair the IR thermometer after it was tossed against the wall . . . or did you have to buy a new one? ;)

It's the abused original which is why I recommend the unit, tough as nails.
 
I just bought a BAC IR gun from amazon. It is pretty acurate so far, i checked a glass of ice water and it was about 2 degrees off. Think i paid 20 dollars for mine. Just make sure the one you buy has enough range for what you are going to do.
 
Which, a hot wife or a IR gun? IR gun a lot cheaper in the long run ;lol.
 
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LOL, thanks for the advice guys.

Don't think the wife wants me to measure how hot she is......

I am messing with it this morning. Looks like my mag thermometer is spot on temp wise. I am finding the face of my stove is the hottest location once the air isn't on high. The top is running 150F lower.

So far I like it! Good ergo, easy to use, point and shoot. goes up to 950F.
 
Well, I have been using it for a few weeks now. I really like it. I can watch flue temp, top temp and compare to door frame temp and see how each zone is affected by air position. The laser pointer is very helpful. Plus it is kinda fun.
 
Don't know if you make weekend breakfasts for the family or not, but mine likes the IR gun since they have not had a blonde or burnt pancake since it showed up at the door!
 
Don't know if you make weekend breakfasts for the family or not, but mine likes the IR gun since they have not had a blonde or burnt pancake since it showed up at the door!
good idea! when we do weekend breakfasts i do cook them. will have to try that out.
 
Don't know if you make weekend breakfasts for the family or not, but mine likes the IR gun since they have not had a blonde or burnt pancake since it showed up at the door!

Do you measure the pancake temp, the pan temp or both? What temps are you shooting for? This is a great idea.
 
Do you measure the pancake temp, the pan temp or both? What temps are you shooting for? This is a great idea.

I like 350 for pancakes (pan temp I want to see before dropping the batter in), that works for my batter, others may find 325, or 375 to be better. I like about 300 for eggs, 550 to sear a steak before moving it to the oven if it's thick to get to desired internal temp (only do that in cast iron or SS, do not heat non-stick that hot) it's a handy tool in many ways, might as well utilize it.

pen
 
One thing to be aware of when using non contact IR thermometers is that they are giving you an average reading of a conical area. Depending upon the aperture diameter and focal length (ie distance to object) the sensing chip is seeing an area greater then you might think. It is not reporting the temp only at the laser aiming dot. It merely provides an average of the area it is seeing. Accuracy goes up with reduced distance to the object, as you are closing the cone. As Pen noted, they have difficulty reading shiny objects because these are usually have a high emissivity, and the IR guns are usually tuned to an average emissivity.

Cheers!
 
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