To those with wood inserts...What thermo and where to locate?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Phoenix Hatchling

Phoenix Hatchling

Minister of Fire
Dec 26, 2012
713
New Fairfield, CT
What type of thermometer (stove top, etc) and brand are you all using? Also, as placement is impractical with inserts, where are you placing yours, and how effective and "calibrated" is it in relation to what your stove is actually doing? Never did get a true answer and seems those of us with inserts are kind of left out.
 
IR thermometer and then you can look for the hottest accessible spot. If you want a better reading of the "stovetop" temp, you can try the following:

Remove the faceplate/surround. See if the convection deck that covers the stovetop can be removed. If yes, burn the stove a few times with the blower off. Measure stovetop temps versus a hot spot in the front (in my case just above the door in the center is the hottest spot). Take note off the temp differential between the top and your spot in the front. After a few days put everything back together, then you know that e. g. 500 F in the front equals whatever F stovetop. In my case, the front spot is about 100 F lower early in the burn and later about 50 F less. Thus, I try to keep it below 700 F to make sure I don't overfire the insert.
 
I don't recall a plate being attached when the stove was installed. For that matter I don't know what a convection plate is!! I have a Quadrafire 2700 which has a small firebox. Any knowledge with them? Are there any "reliable" thermos which are smaller in diameter which I could place in that location? The one I have now is almost too large for the space above the door, and I need to place it near the door corner.
 
An insert is a wood stove with a metal box wrapped around it. The blower circulates the heated air between. The idea is to see if you can remove the top of the wrapper to gain access to the true stovetop.

A cool idea, but way too much work for me. +1 on the IR thermometer to find the hot spot on the stove face.

Gabe
 
And smaller faced thermos you can recommend? Removing the outer box is a little above my pay grade, so I'll need to calibrate it differently.
 
My Lopi insert has about 10" that protrudes from the fireplace which as far as I know is not contained within the outer box. I put a Condar Inferno in the center where the IR says its the hottest. The Condar and IR never read the same, about 50 to 70 degrees higher with the Condar. I have checked with 2 other IR and they all read within 10 degrees of each other. Not knocking Condar, I just figure that its about 50 high when I check it.
 
Here is another vote for a good quality IR thermo. Magnetic stick-on thermo's have a tendency to scratch the face of an insert if one is not very careful. On the Regency I3100 one can see the "top" of the stove if ya look inside the outer wrapper (where the hot air comes out) and one can also see the connection to the flu.

I take a reading at the upper left, center, and upper right above the door because the way the box is loaded will sometimes create fairly sizable differences in temps. If I am burning "hot" I will also take a reading of the flu pipe about 1" above the connector to the stove. (Keeping in mind what Gabe said - An insert is a stove with an outer wrapper)
 
Retreadsme said:
Here is another vote for a good quality IR thermo. Magnetic stick-on thermo's have a tendency to scratch the face of an insert if one is not very careful. On the Regency I3100 one can see the "top" of the stove if ya look inside the outer wrapper (where the hot air comes out) and one can also see the connection to the flu.

I take a reading at the upper left, center, and upper right above the door because the way the box is loaded will sometimes create fairly sizable differences in temps. If I am burning "hot" I will also take a reading of the flu pipe about 1" above the connector to the stove. (Keeping in mind what Gabe said - An insert is a stove with an outer wrapper)
Click to expand...

But again on an insert (at least mine)you can't see the flue and can't see under the outer wrapper. I guess an IR is on my shopping list, but I do,like to glance from across the room.
 
Phoenix Hatchling said:
But again on an insert (at least mine)you can't see the flue and can't see under the outer wrapper. I guess an IR is on my shopping list, but I do,like to glance from across the room.
Click to expand...
I have the same problem with my insert. Your correct ! There's no place to mount it to & if there was room it would not be accurate due to the outer shell of these insets. I also agree with you , too much work to take off the faceplate & then create your own differential in temperatures. With the infared it's click point & shoot.
 
I used to have a 2700i and used an IR thermometer. The novelty wears off after a while, and you know what's going on by looking at the fire, but the IR thermometer comes in handy once in a while for other stuff.
 
velvetfoot said:
I used to have a 2700i and used an IR thermometer. The novelty wears off after a while, and you know what's going on by looking at the fire, but the IR thermometer comes in handy once in a while for other stuff.
Click to expand...
That's pretty much what I have been doing the last couple of years. I don't really bother with the magnetic thermo that's on the stove as it is quite useless. I guess it's just that I see everyone here talking about their temps and running it at X degrees, and I just run it hot and hope it is burning well. I look outside, see no smoke except for the beginning of startups and reloads, and feed it when it needs it.
 
I let it burn pretty well then turn down the air until there's nice secondary action, but don't choke it down too much so that the flames disappear. As I recall, that wasn't an issue with the 2700i, but it is with the Hampton.
 
velvetfoot said:
I let it burn pretty well then turn down the air until there's nice secondary action, but don't choke it down too much so that the flames disappear. As I recall, that wasn't an issue with the 2700i, but it is with the Hampton.
Click to expand...
No... If anything it's difficult to close the air down enough, and stove cranks! Seals are good, but I think it's design which prevents the 2700 from being fully tameable.
 
I agree. That's what I was trying to say for the Quad. The new insert I have to watch I don't choke it if I shut it down too much too soon.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
Wood burning insert first timer
Replies
10
Views
1K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
bigealta
bigealta
T
  • Locked
Help choosing insert/stove for fireplace
Replies
23
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
begreen
begreen
R
Considering removing wood insert - where do I start?
Replies
6
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Roborosie
R
R
What kind of wood burning insert to get in Victoria BC
Replies
7
Views
1K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Wildflush
W
J
Second Woodstove Location?
Replies
2
Views
444
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
begreen
begreen
Top Bottom
Back