Regular Stove Maintenance

[soupy1957]

About a month or more ago, around the time the Chimney Sweep was scheduled to come, I pulled the Flue Pipe Thermometer out of its hole, just to check it.

I shouldn't have been, but was surprised that the probe was black as night, with smoke deposit. Totally covered.
So I cleaned it off at that time, just on principle.

Made me think this morning, as I was lighting the morning fire, "I wonder if it would be of any value to clean off the black from the probe every now and then. I wonder if it would help it function?" Valid point? Not necessary?

I recall reading on the packaging for the thermometer that there is a life expectancy. (or at least the manufacturer would like me to think so) of two years. So I had already set it in my mental agenda to replace it at that time, but that's not for a while yet.

Certainly it wouldn't hurt to clean the probe off, as a "regular maintenance thing, but it may not matter. What do YOU think?

-Soupy1957

 

[Todd]

Just don't use anything abrasive. I cleaned one off with a scouring pad and when I stuck it back in the hole the thermometer pegged and never read right after that. I think there is some kind of protective coating on it and underneath is a copper rod so if you scrape it off that exposed copper will heat up much faster.

 

[soupy1957]

Good tip! Thanks, Todd!
Think the crap on it will impede its ability to read accurately, if I leave it alone?

-Soupy1957

 

[pen]

the tip is merely a conduction rod which allows heat transfer back to the bimetallic strip found on the outside.

pen

 

[soupy1957]

Pen: Yes..........and if that "conduction rod" gets coated, I wondered if it would impede its ability to read correctly. Thus the question. Have an answer?

-Soupy1957

 

[pen]

if you can pull it out of the hole in the pipe it's clean enough.

pen