IR Gun readings???

[Jim H.]

Ok I just picked up a Ryobi TEK4 IR gun from HD for 69 bucks. I have the stove running for about an hour and a half
room temp on thermostat (wall) is 77*. I actually confirmed that with the IR gun aimed at the end of the probe. The probe is located about 3.5-4' off the ground.
I first tried bending a metal "T" and putting that in the middle of the hot air coming from the stoves blower. It seemed real high so I figured it was being skewed by touching the stove (needed gloves to remove, that hot). I then put an empty quart (Paint can never used) 4" in front of the stove, and within a few minutes it reached a little over 500*! I could not touch it!
I also hit the middle of the heat exchangers right above the firepot and got 550* with the actual firepot at 490*.
I decided to go to the back of the stove and get a measurement there as well (exhaust side/bottom) was 200-205.
Then I decided to hit the removable plate (access for ignitor) and that was 280*

I am all over the place and not sure how to get the actual heat coming from the blower to the room....however, I can not leave my hand in front of the blower (4") for more then a couple of seconds! So I know it is hot!

I am burning half and half (Lignetic hardwood and treecycle). I will do the same when burning each later....I just got lazy last night and put the treecycle pale I had next to the stove in with the ligs and swished them around.

Any thoughts on better doing this would be great! See ya....

 

[BDPVT]

You do realize that an IR thermometer will read reflected surface temperatures and not air temps. If you are trying to determine convection air temps then you need a different instrument. This subject has been covered in several other threads. A digital meat thermometer works well and is inexpensive. Pick a spot in front of the heat exchanger and have fun.

 

[donbryce]

I point mine at the same spot on the air grille where the heat output blower exhausts into the room. I don't care so much what I'm measuring or how, just that it is always done using the same air/feed settings and consistently at the same spot for the purpose of comparing pellet brands. Last years Lignetics from Idaho run about 340, Eastern Embers about 250, and just tried 2 bags of Maine Woods from Athens, lucky to get 200 (all degrees farenheit)