insert advice needed

[cityhick]

I have a Buck Stove model 74 insert. I really dont know what temps I have been operating at because of no thermometer. The problem is that there is really not a good place to place one because it has a double plate top that the blower blows between the two. Any advice on where i should put a thermometer and what kind of temps I should be looking for..................Thanks

 

[fredarm]

I put the thermometer on the front of my PE Vista Insert in the upper left corner above the corner of the door.

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

I have a model 74 and I put my thermometer about 3" below the top plate and to the right of the door. The door closes and just barely misses... I used a laser meter to find the hottest surface on the stove and that was it. I burn hot and the stove like it! However mine is in a masonry external chimney so it my be different for you.

I typically run mine between 550-650F mostly in the upper range. I have an analog rutland meter that was inaccurate as hell. So I calibrated it by using boiling water. The meter was like 75F off or something.

How do you like the stove?

 

[cityhick]

I have a model 74 and I put my thermometer about 3" below the top plate and to the right of the door. The door closes and just barely misses... I used a laser meter to find the hottest surface on the stove and that was it. I burn hot and the stove like it! However mine is in a masonry external chimney so it my be different for you.

I typically run mine between 550-650F mostly in the upper range. I have an analog rutland meter that was inaccurate as hell. So I calibrated it by using boiling water. The meter was like 75F off or something.

How do you like the stove?

I really like the stove and its in an outside masonary chimney as well. No problems with the way it burns but there is always room for improvement. I figured if I used a thermometer I could use it more efficiantly......Thanks for the info

 

[kettensäge]

I use an infrared/laser thermometer with my insert. I usually measure right at the suface just past the top of the doors. The center of the glass is the hottest.
They cost a little more than a magnetic thermometer but I believe thay are more accurate, as long as you measure from the same distance all the time. You can also use the infrared for other temperature measuring/troubleshooting around the house, a magnetic therm is just about dedicated to the insert.

I run my insert around 450 or so. If you have a blower it will reduce the surface temps, not only from air flowing around the inside if the insert but also from the air currents it creates in the room.

 

[nola mike]

I used an IR thermometer on mine, but got very inconsistent results depending on where I shot it. I found that the temps in the front of the stove didn't correspond with the top temps, fluctuated quite a bit, and took a long time to change. I ended up putting a meat thermometer (the kind with the probe and little clip) in the exhaust blower vent. This has worked out very well, as it gives (I think) a better indication of the average heat output of the stove. Problem is, once I started using decent wood, the temps are now off the scale of the thermometer. I really need to find one that goes up to 300 degrees or so...

 

[kettensäge]

I used an IR thermometer on mine, but got very inconsistent results depending on where I shot it. I found that the temps in the front of the stove didn't correspond with the top temps, fluctuated quite a bit, and took a long time to change. I ended up putting a meat thermometer (the kind with the probe and little clip) in the exhaust blower vent. This has worked out very well, as it gives (I think) a better indication of the average heat output of the stove. Problem is, once I started using decent wood, the temps are now off the scale of the thermometer. I really need to find one that goes up to 300 degrees or so...

X2, I have seen the temp variation as well, up to 100 degrees. I just picked what I thought was the best location and used it based on stove performance.

My top discharge vent has a formed sheet metal diverter to direct the air downward. I measure air temps here. The middle is 75 degrees hotter than the ends.
I bet a thermal image of an insert would be very interesting to see.

 

[tfdchief]

I put my magnetic on the upper corner of the cast door on my old Buck. It reacts quickly there, and seems to be the hottest point. Around 400 - 500 is a good cruising temp. based on that location for my stove. I think with an insert, and no way to check the flue temps. you really need to monitor based on what the fire is doing and what is coming out the chimney top. Then correlate that to temps on a thermometer if you want.