Surface or internal flue thermometer

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Dec 20, 2007
59
North Jersey Sticks
I need to replace my stove pipe thermometer. I have a VC intrepid II that I use a griddle thermometer and a stove pipe thermometer to monitor combustion temps. Should I buy a probe type or another surface mount. What's everybodies opinion? Thanks.
 
I prefer not to put a hole in the pipe. Have also never dropped a magnetic thermometer off the pipe, as one strand of safety wire goes a long way.
 
kenny chaos said:
I ran my surface mount up to 900 degrees at one point today but I think it was too scared to jump.
I got mine that hot, and all the black paint turned white - I now have a nice polished aluminum one with no numbers on it anymore :-S
 

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oconnor said:
kenny chaos said:
I ran my surface mount up to 900 degrees at one point today but I think it was too scared to jump.
I got mine that hot, and all the black paint turned white - I now have a nice polished aluminum one with no numbers on it anymore :-S

hahaha that is a good one, make sure you monitor that one closely :lol:
 
oconnor said:
kenny chaos said:
I ran my surface mount up to 900 degrees at one point today but I think it was too scared to jump.
I got mine that hot, and all the black paint turned white - I now have a nice polished aluminum one with no numbers on it anymore :-S

I would pitch both of those overheated thermometers and replace them. What caused the high temps?
 
Too much time on the forum, not enough time closing the air down = stove top glows red, paint turned white. I use it as a trend indicator more than actual temp measurement - that said, it gave the same indications under the same conditions before and after the overfire.

What I really want is a probe thermometer that will work on my insert and gives me a buzzer when temps get above a set level like 800*F. Still working on it, but I have a plan....

Sorry for hijacking the thread.
 
[quote author="oconnor" date="1232690482"]
What I really want is a probe thermometer that will work on my insert and gives me a buzzer when temps get above a set level like 800*F. Still working on it, but I have a plan....quote]


There's a guy on here who's starting to make alarms. He even offers options such as high/low, stove top and or flu, etc..
I got one ordered and think they should be mandatory for ALL woodstoves.
If you're interested, I'll look him up for you.
Ken
 
I never had a problem with the surface mount, it was my three year old twisting the needle around(when it was off the stove while I was cleaning the pipe). I'm just looking for some input between the two types since I have to get a new one. Ken, that alarm system sounds interesting. If you could get info that would be great. Thanks, Lyle
 
Valhalla said:
I prefer not to put a hole in the pipe. Have also never dropped a magnetic thermometer off the pipe, as one strand of safety wire goes a long way.

That's my problem too, I wish they would make a pipe with the probe thermometer in. With my minor jobs I have problems drilling holes and not making them to big or to small so not much in doing something that could cause smoke in the house.
 
n3pro said:
Valhalla said:
I prefer not to put a hole in the pipe. Have also never dropped a magnetic thermometer off the pipe, as one strand of safety wire goes a long way.

That's my problem too, I wish they would make a pipe with the probe thermometer in. With my minor jobs I have problems drilling holes and not making them to big or to small so not much in doing something that could cause smoke in the house.

It's not really that big a deal . . . at least it wasn't with the probe thermometer I installed in my double-wall stove pipe . . . just followed the directions for using the two different sized drill bits and ended up with a nice, snug fit.
 
n3pro said:
Valhalla said:
I prefer not to put a hole in the pipe. Have also never dropped a magnetic thermometer off the pipe, as one strand of safety wire goes a long way.

That's my problem too, I wish they would make a pipe with the probe thermometer in. With my minor jobs I have problems drilling holes and not making them to big or to small so not much in doing something that could cause smoke in the house.

Nor should you worry about smoke 'leakage', since - with a fire going and draft established - a hole in the flue pipe will draw air in... rather than allow smoke out.

Peter B.

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Especially with double wall but even with single wall I would definitely go for probe. The same reason you don't check the temp of an infant by placing the thermometer on their forehead.
 
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