Single wall temp measuring - probe vs surface

  • 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.

begreen

Mooderator
Staff member
Nov 18, 2005
104,666
South Puget Sound, WA
There's a large discrepancy on what internal single wall flue temps are. Recently we've seen postings with a a multiplier for surface temps going from a third higher to 100% higher. I've usually struck in between at 50% higher. And then we have the variations of thermostats that can be 100F off. Which is correct?

Does anyone have instrumentation on single wall where they have measured with a thermocouple probe the difference between a Condar or Rutland pipe thermometer on single wall pipe and the actual flue gas temp?
 
We had a member do this in past years. I wish I could remember who....
If I remember correctly his readings were 33-50% higher than the surface temp.

I think there is some confusion in the math that some report. Just to clarify - 50% of a 400F surface reading is 200F for an internal temp of 600F. (and I believe that came from Condar).
 
Last edited:
Correct. 50% higher than surface is what I recall and have used, but I was hoping to get more data points from folks that have since installed digital probes. We have double-wall connector so I can't verify on our stove.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jags
I have the screw going into the pipe. You think that makes it more accurate?
 
I guess i could check the surface with the infared and see if the screw make a difference
 
So if surface reads 200F then flue gas is 400F?
 
So if surface reads 200F then flue gas is 400F?
No. 50% of your 200F surface temp is 100 degrees. This would equate to a 300F internal flue temp (200 + 100).
 
Hm, I have a thermocouple rig that I need to put together (probe inside pipe) and an IR thermo to compare... then I'll have some data to add...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jags
Thanks. Temps will vary with the setup I think. My expectation is that there will be a different flue gas temp reading with systems that are straight up, than those that go up, take a 90 turn to an outside tee. Could be wrong though, but it would be interesting to know.
 
I also suspect that it will not be a linear relationship. Like 50% higher at 300 but 100% higher at 500. It surely has to do with velocity in the flue as well.

I was always told 50% the other way. So a 500 degree flue gas makes a 250 degree flue surface temp.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.