Thermometer For Those Hard To Check Inserts

[BrotherBart]

A lot of people have lamented not being able to get temp readings from their inserts because of the flush fit or because of the shroud. Well, in curing the paint and testing the new gaskets on my stove today I discovered something. A few months ago I bought one of these at Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91778

According to the documentation it is supposed to measure up to 470 degrees F. Well guess what. I pulled it out while the insert was burning and the sucker not only tracks with the stove top thermo but didn't miss a beat gauging the exhaust temp coming up to around 700. That got me curious so I opened the door and beamed it at the burning wood. The meter jumped right up to 1017 degrees.

This thing is the answer to checking the temp on those hard to measure inserts. You can also stand flat footed on the ground and check the temp of the chimney up at the rain cap. Not to mention checking the stove from across the room without having to get out of the Lazy Boy.

Technology. Ya gotta love it.

 

[Robbie]

BB, that is great, guess I'll be ordering one of those.

Robbie

 

[Mo Heat]

Hey BB,

I think I'm gunna haf ta git me one a thoze.

Did you order that thing over the internet or pick it up at a local store? What did you give for yours?

39.99 Thermo on Internet
08.99 Shipping
==========
48.98 Internet Price

If it's the same price at the store, I think I'll run down there, but it's quite a drive. I guess I could call them, but you know how that usually goes.

 

[BrotherBart]

Hey BB,

I think I'm gunna haf ta git me one a thoze.

Did you order that thing over the internet or pick it up at a local store? What did you give for yours?

39.99 Thermo on Internet
08.99 Shipping
==========
48.98 Internet Price

If it's the same price at the store, I think I'll run down there, but it's quite a drive. I guess I could call them, but you know how that usually goes.

Actually I gave $19.99 for it at the local store. They send out coupons if you are signed up on the website and one came in for it. The list price was $79.99 back then. When I dropped the coupon on the guy at the store his eyes got big. He said "That one is a mistake.". I laughed and said that he had known me a long time and I would give him just one guess how much I cared.

He laughed and went and got it. They go on sale pretty often on the coupon thing. Usually for $29.99 or less.

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

you can also find them at hobby shops for about 30 bucks, RC car and truck guys tune there engine with those...

 

[begreen]

Howzitwork? Does it only measure surface temp reflected back at the device?

If you point it to a room wall does it measure the surface temp? That might be handy for checking insulation in walls. How low will it go?

 

[paulgp602]

I have this one. It reads up to 932F. Goes down to -20. I use it for checking my insulation and my Central AC register and return temps. I located a couple spots in the attic that needed more insulation because the ceiling in my living room had a spot that was warmer by about 10 degrees. I use it for the cars, lawn mowers, dogs, anything. Problem is, you can't stop finding stuff to shoot it at! This company offers free shipping.

(broken link removed to http://www.infrared-usa.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=10108)

 

[BrotherBart]

Howzitwork? Does it only measure surface temp reflected back at the device?

If you point it to a room wall does it measure the surface temp? That might be handy for checking insulation in walls. How low will it go?

Mine says it will do -4F which I hope I don't get a chance to test. It measures surface temp. I checked to see if it would measure firebox temp through the glass and it won't. Just the surface.

Pretty much measures the temp of anything you can point it at and punch the "laser" button. You aim it using the red dot the laser emits just like a laser gun sight.

 

[the_guad]

Jeez... this free forum sure is costing me a lot of money. The price of my wood burning addiciton has just gone up another $40. Nice find BrotherBart.

 

[mikedengineer]

Hey BB have you tired to see how cold that thing can measure? I'm just curious if it goes lower that what it is advertised at kinda like how it goes higher that it is says. I have a Harbor Freight about 2 miles from me and have debated on buying one because I wasn't sure of the temp range.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[BrotherBart]

The spec says -4 but I don't know. The coldest things around here are ice cubes in the freezer and it says they are four degrees above zero.

If it ever gets to minus 4 around here I will be in the Marriott in town so I don't think I will ever get to try to see if it will go lower than spec.

 

[the_guad]

I finally ran out and bought mine... now I'm regretting it since I know that the office ceiling is 5 degrees hotter than all other rooms on that floor. Great find BB, worth every penny.

 

[BrotherBart]

I finally ran out and bought mine... now I'm regretting it since I know that the office ceiling is 5 degrees hotter than all other rooms on that floor. Great find BB, worth every penny.

Yep. They are pretty slick. The only problem I have with it is when I click on the laser and start beaming at the stove, the ceiling, the pipe etc., I start hearing this deep voice in my head that says "The force is with you young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet."

 

[the_guad]

The Force is strong in this one.