Stove thermometers

I know some of you may be picky about your stove temps while others are more accepting with deviances in temps. I'd like to know what you use and how well it works for you.

These bimetals I'm gathering have some inaccuracies so I want to find a good way to monitor temps without being like 200 degrees off. Even a temp laser gun might help but I like looking at a gauge more so.

Thermocouples come into this discussion too. Never installed one but I think it would be kinda cool to have one sitting just on a ledge in the firebox for internal monitoring. And then getting a couple of thermometers one for the stove top and one for the flue.
Thanks.

 

Here is what I use on the top/side of my stove

 

Check out this thread

High Temperature Alarm?

 

Thanks HD Im a little late here so my title search isn't as attuned to this place yet.

 

This is where my stove is setting right now, pipe & stove top
Cold stove, room temperature

 

Condar are the the best magnet thermometers I have used
They make one for the pipe and one for the stovetop

 

This is all what I was thinking HD. The option I would hope to have is just one that tells me if the stove is running away if by accident. Just to say that high temp alarm thread is WORTH looking at and I love aubrins set up with the wireless master/slave temp setting. Will likely have the slave set up in my room so it wirelessly tells me if the stove is changing temp in the night.

 

I could really use that well. Thats a great idea.

 

Now im going to ask a question that regards a bit of a technical situation. Say I purchase an IR temp gun, what surface or heat is it actually measuring? It could either be the glass or the fire. I dont want to just open the door to Measure that but what is it generally measuring?

 

IR's measure surface temp. The ideal surface is a smooth flat black surface...like a stove. Accuracy varies on other surfaces but will still get you into the ballpark.
Also, check this out, Manufacturer - StoveDroid Wood Stove Monitor/Alarm

 

All you need to worry about checking is the top of the stove, and your pipe if it is a single wall, if it is double wall it won't tell you anything.
If the top of your stove is 800 degrees it's too hot

 

If my stove gets actually above 700 its too hot according to the manual. But i don't know how on earth could I even tolerate the heat at that point. Im talking crazy small house. This wood stove is probably going to work best in a power outage since it will provide the most light here anyways. Haha either way Im looking forward to controlling heat. I swear i would have done a double wall in the living room but that isn't going to help me much. Double wall for the roof section would be best?

 

I have one IR thermometer that only goes up to 700, last year I bought this one on sale for 13 bucks
Amazon.com: Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~1022℉ (-50℃～550℃), Yellow and Black: Kitchen & Dining

 

What you want is your stove pipe if it is single wall, measured on the outside to be 300 or better.
Stove top needs to get it up above 500 for your secondaries to do their work.
If the Heat going up the pipe is not hot enough creosote will form

 

Thats what the Inferno temp gauge says. Anything at 300 is literally a smoldering fire. I don't think i will have problems getting it to that temp though. The wood dries quite quickly around here in the summer. At least last year it really did.

 

I don't remember do you have a moisture meter?
When I have small fires I run right about 300 it,s fine.
Normally the pipe is round 325 350 on the outside on the inside it's 650 to 720.
If you pipe is setting at 400 measured on the outside there is more Heat going out the chimney than need be.
You will get a better idea of this once you start burning, practicing

 

Yes i actually purchased one a couple weeks ago and while I understand is to take it as a guide, its still a helpful one nonetheless. I will take a picture now.

 

Just remember you have to split the wood and check it right then and there to know what the moisture content on the inside is