How hot does your woodstove humidifier get?

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wahoowad

wahoowad

Minister of Fire
Dec 19, 2005
1,669
Virginia
I finally bought one the other day the classic basket style with criss-cross top. I thought the water would simmer, but not boil, because I have always kept a pot of water on top of my kerosene stove and that water was always just below the point of boiling. But the water in my ceramic humidifier does come close to simmering and I only get noticable steam from where the water makes contact with the hotter sides of the humidifier. That is where the majority of my evaporation is coming from. I put a thermometer in there and it goes no higher than 150. I don't think I'm getting any appreciable humidity put into the room.

My stove thermometer is reading about 500. I have now put a regular steel pot of water down next to the ceramic humidifier to see if there if a difference. One would think a 500 degree stove top would heat the ceramic humidifier somewhere close to 500, but I can literally rest my hand on top of the humidifier and keep it there.
 
There is a lot of water surface area on the lattice top style steamers, the water will not boil, but it will evaporate realativly quickly. If the water dissapears then you know you have humidity being released.
 
I have the same lattice type steamer. I can hear mine simmering sometimes when my stove is running nice and warm. I've never checked the water temp, but I usually fill it in the morning and then again in the evening so it won't run dry. Mine is usually too hot to pick up so I fill it with a quart measuring cup.
 
The steel pot water also went to 150 and stopped. I guess it isn't the container then. I wonder if the kettle style with most of the lid being closed would increase the temp of the water and the rate of evaporation? I only paid $6 for the lattice top one so I won't feel bad swapping it for a kettle.
 
wahoowad said:
The steel pot water also went to 150 and stopped. I guess it isn't the container then. I wonder if the kettle style with most of the lid being closed would increase the temp of the water and the rate of evaporation? I only paid $6 for the lattice top one so I won't feel bad swapping it for a kettle.
Click to expand...

yes, a kettle will have higher water temps.
 
Is it ok to use a cast iron enameled steamer on a soapstone stove surface as long as I'm careful when I have to move it?
I like the soapstone steamer... but at 99 bucks? ouch!
 
I'd put a trivet under it if you're going to do it. And really the soapstone one is a one time investment, so why not get the one you want?
 
crow said:
Is it ok to use a cast iron enameled steamer on a soapstone stove surface as long as I'm careful when I have to move it?
I like the soapstone steamer... but at 99 bucks? ouch!
Click to expand...

We've used a cast iron steamer (actually just a kettle) on top of our Phoenix for going on 7 years now with no problems. Well, even with the enamel, we get some rust in the kettle. Oh, and when the stove's cranking, the water does boil in the kettle.
 
My steamer only boils when it is almost empty. I use the sound as my cue to refill.

Rick
 
i use a steam dragon found on the same web site plow and hearth. it's pricey but it does a great job. i refill it every-time i refill the stove. it steams like a steam radiator from a old steam heat system. puts out plenty of moisture. no more sparks when touching something metal or people.
when i first got it i made the mistake of putting in to much water. what a site the dragon was spitting steam and water out it's nose. i use it directly on the cook top of my defiant. if i put it on a trivet no water ever steams out of it.
 
Dylan,

it sounds ceramic. I did not pay close attention. I bought it for $6 when Lowes had a 50% off sale on seasonal stuff. It sounds like ceramic. It has a small bump on the bottom that keeps it from making full flush contact with the top of the stove so I'll know what it is when I go to grind it off. I'm keeping an eye out for a good cast kettle to replace it.
 
Dylan, you were right. it is not ceramic, it is cast iron with the black paint or whatever on it. I need more moisture in the air. My hydrometer says the humidity is 31%. I'm not feeling so good today and the lackof mosture in this room isn't helping. Maybe I should put another pot of water on it. I have a feeling the water on the stove won't make a noticable difference in what my hydromter reads. Guess I'll put a second pot on and see if it goes up any. Outside humidity is supposedly 37% so I guess it won't go but so high. Room is 75 and I've got some well seasoned locust keeping it warm
 
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