The precision of the thermostat setting doesn't seem all that important; you kinda figure it out by trial and error. But I think there's one exception to that, which is when you turn the stove down for a long slow burn, such as overnight. You want a setting that's low enough to not consume all the wood, but high enough to prevent cat stall (when the catalytic converter goes inactive due to lack of heat and/or smoke). Once you find the perfect setting, it'd be nice to be able to reliably set the thermostat to that level.
I didn't originally install the side panels on my Princess. The thermostat knob was just hanging out in space, a few inches from the rear corner of the stove - really imprecise. So I recently decided to install the panels, so I'd have a scale for the thermostat knob. Shouldn't have waited 15 years, because when I did, I found out the hole for the thermostat shaft was off by 1/2" or so (no clue why). So I cut off the little semi-circular protrusion that sticks out the rear of the panel and re-attached it in the right place using epoxy and a piece of steel. That's when I went nuts. I decided, instead of re-applying the little decal with the scale on it (BK kindly sent a replacement), I'd try for something a little more precise. Here we go. I need to pretty it up a little, but you get the idea.
![[Hearth.com] improved thermostat dial](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/pxl_20251124_224041471-webp.342566/ "[Hearth.com] improved thermostat dial")
I'm not suggesting anyone cut into their stove to do this. But, if interested, you can just purchase the semi-circular scale thingy for $6 (part of a protractor) ...
... and Superglue or epoxy it over the factory scale. I also made the knob a little more precise, by gluing a 4p finish nail into it. I'm sure something better-looking can easily be purchased.
So yeah, "anything worth thinking is worth overthinking". I also realize this super-precise overnight setting might be a fool's errand, since variations in the dryness and sizes of the wood load may have more effect. Or not.
I didn't originally install the side panels on my Princess. The thermostat knob was just hanging out in space, a few inches from the rear corner of the stove - really imprecise. So I recently decided to install the panels, so I'd have a scale for the thermostat knob. Shouldn't have waited 15 years, because when I did, I found out the hole for the thermostat shaft was off by 1/2" or so (no clue why). So I cut off the little semi-circular protrusion that sticks out the rear of the panel and re-attached it in the right place using epoxy and a piece of steel. That's when I went nuts. I decided, instead of re-applying the little decal with the scale on it (BK kindly sent a replacement), I'd try for something a little more precise. Here we go. I need to pretty it up a little, but you get the idea.
I'm not suggesting anyone cut into their stove to do this. But, if interested, you can just purchase the semi-circular scale thingy for $6 (part of a protractor) ...
Stainless Steel Angle Protractor, 0-180 Degrees, Adjustable Woodworking Ruler Angle Measure Tool (10 cm/ 3.94 Inch) - Amazon.com
Stainless Steel Angle Protractor, 0-180 Degrees, Adjustable Woodworking Ruler Angle Measure Tool (10 cm/ 3.94 Inch) - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
... and Superglue or epoxy it over the factory scale. I also made the knob a little more precise, by gluing a 4p finish nail into it. I'm sure something better-looking can easily be purchased.
So yeah, "anything worth thinking is worth overthinking". I also realize this super-precise overnight setting might be a fool's errand, since variations in the dryness and sizes of the wood load may have more effect. Or not.
