How long do stovetop thermometers last?

[Scott2373]

My wife is concerned that the magnetic thermometers on top of our wood stove aren't as accurate any more. I haven't noticed any issues with them, but she wants me to replace them. They are 4 seasons old. They are cheapies (Rutland), since it was our first stove and we were new to wood burning when we bought them. Do they have a typical lifespan? I'm looking to replace them with some Condar Inferno's. Thoughts, opinions and suggestions are entirely welcome! Thank you!

 

[Warm_in_NH]

Pick up a cheap infrared thermometer from amazon for under 20 bucks.
You can check your current ones or any new one. Always nice to have a second source.

 

[Beer Belly]

I had a Rutland at first, heard it wasn't reliable, replaced it with a Condor. The Condor was reading 50*F higher than the Rutland, bought an IR Gun and found the Condor to be within a few degrees of the IR Gun. Our Condor is on it's sixth season, and still pretty accurate

 

[Huntindog1]

Condars last pretty long time but one time I bought a off brand and the paint burned off it and I couldnt read the numbers anymore.

If you search you can find IR Gun that will read a little over a 1000 deg F.
Alot of those cheaper ones only read to like 700.

Here is the one I use.

http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Infrare...ords=Neiko+Infrared+Laser+Aim+Thermometer+Gun