How hot should combustibles near the stove get?

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Prosecond

Member
Nov 28, 2010
103
Southern Ohio
At what temperature should you be worried about wood catching fire? In other words, if I check the wood with an IR at what temperature should I start to get concerned?
 
Prosecond said:
At what temperature should you be worried about wood catching fire? In other words, if I check the wood with an IR at what temperature should I start to get concerned?

Essentialy wood chars at about 600 degrees F, however, the longer it has been exposed to drying heat, the lower the temperature of combustion.
 
How 'bout you just set the fancy IR thermometer down and move all combustible materials out beyond the appliance manufacturer's specified CTC requirements? Rick
 
fossil said:
How 'bout you just set the fancy IR thermometer down and move all combustible materials out beyond the appliance manufacturer's specified CTC requirements? Rick

x2!
 
<180°F under a 'maximum fire' would be aok for me. But of course, just listen to those guys (and the manual).
 
rdust said:
fossil said:
How 'bout you just set the fancy IR thermometer down and move all combustible materials out beyond the appliance manufacturer's specified CTC requirements? Rick

x2!

x3

Nothing near my stove feels more than slightly warm to the touch including the wall behind it. I think I would be awful nervous if it felt even remotely hot.
 
I pulled the OP question out of a zombie thread that was resurrected. I would assume he is referring to how hot the walls should get considering the thread he posted in but I'm not certain; which is why I gave this thread the generic title.

I'm with woodgeek in saying that 180 °F or less is where I'd want to see anything that is considered a combustible and lives near the stove.

pen
 
How about if you can't hold your bare hand on it, then for sure it is too hot? That would probably put it in the 140-145 degree range or somewhere thereabouts.
 
I believe my manual says 36" but that doesn't mean the same for yours.In front of my glass door it gets damned hot.
 
Actually my stove is installed correctly. I was setting some wood within about 2' of the stove to make it easy for my wife to load during the day. I was checking the temperature of the some of the leftover wood before loading it into the fire when I got home. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting it too close to catching on fire before loading it into the stove.
 
Prosecond said:
Actually my stove is installed correctly. I was setting some wood within about 2' of the stove to make it easy for my wife to load during the day. I was checking the temperature of the some of the leftover wood before loading it into the fire when I got home. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting it too close to catching on fire before loading it into the stove.

In that case, distance is distance. Keep the wood you are leaving out for the wife no closer to the stove than what the manual recommends for clearance to combustibles and you'll never have a problem.

In figuring clearance to combustibles, I'd have to figure that the distances are designed around combustibles which will see stove exposure for years upon years. Firewood next to the stove certainly needs to get higher than 180 to burn, but for safety / cover your rear purposes when it comes to insurance, it is still wise to keep things outside of that specified range.

pen
 
Good distinction and excellent advice as usual pen.
 
FWIW, the underside of the mantel directly above my stove pipe gets up to 160 when the stove top temps are around 700 (rare event). Very warm to the touch but nothing I'm too worried about.
 
All my clearances to combustibles are greater than required (a little insurance) except for the ceiling support box, which of course is the exact prescribed 2" clearance to combustible......which it touches. I wish manufacturers would offer a ceiling support box with a little extra built in. I would have gladly paid more for the piece of mind.
 
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