Science experiment: flue or stove top/digital thermometer?

[ynotwood]

So, son wants to do a science experiment with Fire.
Awesome I say. Wants to meaure burn time and temp with different woods, BioBricks. Cool I say.

Not sure this will go well. Now we have a sime $15 flue thermometer that could be used for temp recording.

Question:
1) Record stove top or flue temp?
2) Is there such a thing as a digital stove thermometer?

Thanks in advance

 

[Jimbob]

Use a non-contact thermometer, and measure both the top and the pipe and see how they run in relation to each-other.
I think stack temp would give more of an indicator as to how hot the fire is actually burning.
Would be an interesting experiment.

One like this:
(broken link removed to http://www.extech.com/instrument/products/400_450/42545.html)

 

[Jimbob]

This one would make the job even easier....
(broken link removed to http://www.extech.com/instrument/products/alpha/EA15ThermoData.html)

 

[Gooserider]

There are digital thermometers, you can get several different types, keep an eye on E-bay. The challenge is that most are either very expensive, or are hand held battery power units that keep turning themselves off. (or both) As a start, anything that uses a "Type "K"" sensor should have a range that will work well for monitoring the stove.

The challenge will be to come up with a properly controlled experiment - remember that he needs to work with one variable at a time, so he needs to work out how to control all the other factors - the stove needs to be operated in a consistent manner, using uniform size / shape loads of wood, etc. The measurments need to be done in a consistent way, and so on down the line. It probably doesn't matter as much WHERE the measurments are taken as it does that they are taken from the same place, and at the same points of time in the burn, etc.

I suspect that it's going to be more of a challenge to come up with the right techniques for the experiment than actually doing the tests themselves.

Good luck to both of you in the fair.

Gooserider

 

[ynotwood]

Thanks JimBob!
I Looked at your links. The first had the noncontact thermometer with a laser pointer. No use of lasers is allowed at all. Quick Eaby search was pricey on the other. will continue to look. any other suggestions?

 

[Jimbob]

Those thermometers are available w/o laser:

http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-62-Mini-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B000MX5Y9C/ref=pd_sbs_auto

The FLUKE should be very high quality, I've used their multimeters, and they are very good. Plus they can be used for measuring other things when you're dome with the experiment.

Please post results of the experiment when completed...