Using a stove thermometer

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oldspark said:
Pen, I find it interesting that your stack temp is higher than stove top in every case, it seems like most people report just the opposite except for reload and start up, do you ever have fires where the stove top is hotter than the stack temp? I like your drawings as it makes it easy for an idiot (me) to understand.

If I had a magnetic thermometer on there then you would be right. A probe thermometer measures internal temperature which is much hotter than the stove pipe itself.

pen
 
pen said:
oldspark said:
Pen, I find it interesting that your stack temp is higher than stove top in every case, it seems like most people report just the opposite except for reload and start up, do you ever have fires where the stove top is hotter than the stack temp? I like your drawings as it makes it easy for an idiot (me) to understand.

If I had a magnetic thermometer on there then you would be right. A probe thermometer measures internal temperature which is much hotter than the stove pipe itself.

pen
Yes, I think I had that figured wrong in my head, looks like my temps (compensating for the different sensors) are similar to yours.
 
I just got a Jotul Rockland C550 Insert last April. Ive run it about 4 times in total since I got it. I have been reading a lot to try to learn exactly how to operate it best. Im thinking of getting a thermometer. What kind should I get for this Insert. I would appreciate any help.
 
Big fan of thermometers . . . I know for a fact it helps me run the stove better . . . Stove top thermometer is not used as often now . . . but I still keep it and the IR gun to make sure the stove doesn't become overfired.

I use the probe thermometer a lot though . . . it allows me to know when to cut back the air to achieve a successful secondary burn without flaw and at the same time keep from wasting too much heat by keeping the air open longer than necessary (not to mention the safety factor in terms of burning at the proper temps to reduce creososte production.)

Could I burn without thermometers . . . sure . . . then again I could also drive my car without a working gas gauge and speedometer . . . I prefer to have more knowledge to keep me safe and efficient.
 
probes too. found that out last year by testing a few of them.
 
How does one install a probe thermometer into double wall stove pipe? Wouldn't there be some exhaust seepage there?
 
szumbrun said:
How does one install a probe thermometer into double wall stove pipe? Wouldn't there be some exhaust seepage there?

There is no seepage. You just drill a hole through pipe. The external hole on double wall was a slightly larger hole with my Condar installation.

IMG_1005.jpg
 
Thanks. I seem to remember having read that the optimal placement is 12" up the pipe from the stove. Is this right? And if so, what makes it optimal?
 
There has been some debate on this. IIRC package stated 18 inches. I put mine at 19.5 inches. Some have put far further up the pipe.

Install instructions here--->

http://www.condar.com/probe_meters_dir4use_woodstoves.html

"To install a FlueGard Thermometer, drill a ¼-inch hole in the flue pipe at least 18 inches above the top of the stove or furnace. For double-wall pipe, drill a ¼-inch hole in the outer wall, and a 3/16-inch hole through the inner wall. Position so the thermometer can be read easily at a glance. Slide the eyelet and magnet onto the stem of the thermometer; and insert into the hole.

When properly installed, the FlueGard accurately reads flue-gas temperatures, with an error margin less than 5%. If placed closer than 18-inches from the top of your stove or furnace, the thermometer will read slightly higher. Creosote on the stem of the thermometer will have little effect on the readings. When used on horizontal stovepipes, add 6% to temperature readings due to lower heat transfer. Before cleaning your flue pipe, remember to remove the thermometer.

Guidelines for Probe Thermometer Temperature Readings
Consult your stove manufacturer's manual for precise temperature recommendations. See below for approximate guidelines, if the FlueGard is installed properly on the flu pipe. Note that flue gas readings are approximately 50% higher than surface temperature readings:"
 
So my Hearthstone Heritage is rear vented w/ double-wall. I had to put my Condar probe in a 45* because I'm tight on space. The highest temp I've seen so far on mine is only ~500*F. That was with the stove blazing away with 5 splits of very dry pine. The fire had been going for about 35 minutes.

That seems really low compared to what I'm seeing others with flu gauges report.

Any ideas why it's reading so low - assuming the thermometer is working?

-john
 
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