what temps should I be getting on an insert

[tumm21]

Just wondering what temp I should be getting on an insert and where I should be reading it from. I would guess the glass would be the hottest spot. I have a Regency Insert, about 2.4 cubic feet and the chimney is an interior chimney. I have no block off plate or insulation above the stove. My wood is split and stacked 3 years and I feel I should get a hell of alot more heat where I cant bear to stay in the room. My room with the stove could get to 80 degrees if its above 45 degrees outside but I thought it should be hotter. Any suggestions?

 

[begreen]

Inserts are harder to get a good temp reading. The best place is often on the metal face in the corners above and to the left or right of the door. I would expect the insert to read about 500-550 at that location with a good fire going.

Is this an exterior wall fireplace? If so, putting in an insulated block-off plate and if there is room, insulating behind the insert with mineral wool (Roxul), can make a significant improvement in the heating efficiency of the insert.

 

[Grisu]

I also have an insert and found an IR thermometer to be best. My hottest spot in the front is in the center above the door. There would not be enough space for a stove thermometer. I can also get some readings from the stovetop by pointing the IR thermometer in the air channel above the insert. It's not super-accurate, though, as it is hard to measure a defined area there. What you can try to compare temps in the front with actual stovetop temps is the following: Pull off the surround and remove the top of the air channel to expose the actual stovetop. With the blower off run a few fires. During those measure the hottest spot on the top and the hottest spot you can find in the front. Make a (mental) note of the difference. Once you know that difference you can put everything back together and use that spot in the front as a guide for the stovetop temp.

How large is the room you are trying to heat? Does it have high ceilings? How well does the heat move around the house? Maybe the room is not getting that hot because the warm air flows naturally around the house.