Nick:
I believe Jotul recommends a normal stove top temp of 400-600 degrees F. I don't check my stove top temp quite so often as I did in my first year, but generally it was (and still is when I check it with the IR gun) around 450-500 degrees F for me on a normal burn . . . although as mentioned with less wood the temp in the stove may be less.)
As for the thermometer placement . . . the manual shows a picture in the back that recommends placing the thermometer on any one of the four corners on the stove top. I experimented a bit and found that in my own particular case it seemed like the consistently hottest corner was the right rear corner . . . others have found the hottest corner to be different.
I believe Jotul recommends a normal stove top temp of 400-600 degrees F. I don't check my stove top temp quite so often as I did in my first year, but generally it was (and still is when I check it with the IR gun) around 450-500 degrees F for me on a normal burn . . . although as mentioned with less wood the temp in the stove may be less.)
As for the thermometer placement . . . the manual shows a picture in the back that recommends placing the thermometer on any one of the four corners on the stove top. I experimented a bit and found that in my own particular case it seemed like the consistently hottest corner was the right rear corner . . . others have found the hottest corner to be different.