Probe Versus Magnetic Thermometers with Large Dutchwest Mod 2461

[erice]

Hi,

I have a large catalytic Dutchwest Mod 2461. Just priced the probe thermometer - $64 ! Magnetic themometers are about 1/4 that cost. Can I simply add a magnetic thermometer on top of the cat? Is it useful to also have thermometers on the firebox and/or flue?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[Elfin]

I'm wondering about thermometers too. I don't want to spring for a probe type either! Interested to see what the answers to this are...

 

[pumiglk]

I have a condar probe type (bought direct from condar aprox $30.00) and a magnetic type ($14.00) that I use on the stove top. They read very differently depending on where in the burn cycle. Early flue is much hotter than stove(flue 8-900, stove 350-300), mid they both run about 450 (flue maybe 500), late, flue down to 250 but stove top still 350-400. The stove top seem pretty accurate compared to readings taken with IR (+/-20 degrees). I think the actual temps are pretty varaible from set-up to set-up and stove-type etc. However they provide a way to monitor the fire. I think once I get used to it my eye will be just as useful but... FWIW, the flue probe runs pretty true with its zones. Creostoe (yellow ;-P ) = smoke, and as I approach the red (hot) zone it looks like a real good time to shut down some air.

 

[mikeathens]

the magnetic therm won't give you catalyst temperatures. it will only give you stove top. I guess you don't have to know what the catalyst temp is (if I remember correctly, about 1400 F at full bore), but having the probe on top into the cat lets you know 1) when you have good secondary combustion and 2) when your catalyst is shot.

I personally would replace this with the VC replacement, or a after-market type probe if it fits properly. I remember after a few years, the probe pretty much disintegrated.

EDIT: this only applies to the VC DW catalytic (and maybe other catalytic stoves).