Tools to monitor stove, stove pipe and chimney temps, and draft

Wasn't sure where to put this, so I hope this is the right place.

Are any of you monitoring your stove and chimney temperatures and draft with measuring devices?

What are some of the tools you are using?



I just ordered a Dwyer Mark II model 25 manometer and I plan on getting a magnahelic later as well, likely a 2000HA series by Dwyer. The model 25 won't be permanently mounted because I hate the way it looks.

I am wanting to monitor internal stove pipe temps as well is chimney temperatures near the top of my chimney. Wanting to do this before doing any work to the chimney so that I have a baseline reference of how the changes will effect things, both for myself and so I can share information with others here.

Also, wanting to get some numbers before changing my stove liner so I can have some real world comparison numbers as to how the changes effect my set-up.

I'd love to see some pictures of set-ups some of you have and here recommendations.

I suppose the ideal progression of this would be: to be able to monitor all of this by my phone...just not sure how expensive that could get. That would allow me to monitor my stove at all times even when I am away from home. However, wall mounted or even handheld units would be fine.

 

This is all I use.

 

Mrs Mikeinma is my monitor. If she needs a throw blanket, then it's time for more wood.

 

I have two magnet mount thermometers, one in the stove, one in the stove pipe. I also have an IR gun to monitor stove and pipe temps.

I am planning on getting a probe thermometer for the pipe, but I’m also considering getting a little more in-depth about this. I’m doing this to understand more about what is going on with my set-up...as I burn both wood and anthracite coal.

I want to monitor draft as well as chimney temps at the top of my chimney. I want to know what my set-up is doing, not guess. I hope to share this information on the forums at a later date after I make changes to my masonry chimney.

 

I have a Dwyer Mark II Model 25 permanently mounted...in the basement though.
I use a Maverick ET732 Wireless BBQ thermometer to monitor the Kuuma supply plenum and stovepipe temps...once you learn your system you can tell exactly what's going on in the firebox based on these 2 temps. The probe cable is not long enough to use for the top of the flue though...would have to use a second monitor for that (they are supposed to be weatherproof...could easily put the transceiver in some sort of a little "shelter" up there too)
It will run 24/7 the whole winter on a set of AAA batteries.
A little "better" one is this one Smoke Remote BBQ Alarm Thermometer | ThermoWorks now if'n you really want to get your geek on, it also has a wifi option so you can monitor from your phone and make trend charts too...how ya like that yooperdave ?

 

BBQ monitor is a good way to justify the cost. . My son has taken over the grill and has been wanting a good thermometer like this, so this is perfect.

If I can do it cheap enough I’d love to be able to monitor all this from my phone and away from home...although this won’t be permanent. I just want to monitor things long enough to get a feel for what everything is doing. Plus, I plan on doing some experiments up at the top of the chimney, so monitoring the exhaust at the top is for sure in my plans. Will be interesting to see how much cooler coal burning exhaust is versus what is needed to keep creosote from forming as well as monitoring how much heat I am keeping in the stove versus going out the stack. Will tell me exactly how to run my wood stove settings as well. The numbers will really be of help burning wood with regard to keeping a clean chimney.

 

I resemble those remarks.

 

We're obsolete...........

 

Bad part for me is my 91 year old father-in-law has kept up with it better than I have. He amazes me how he can use tech.

 

After 30 years of this I’m thinking about buying a moisture meter . Does that count as high tech?

 

I’ve had one for 3 years now and never have opened it. Well, I got it out of the package the other day. It’s sitting here on the table beside me with the plastics still over the batteries it came with. Don’t really need it. I season wood for three years. Only reason I bought it is because of this forum. LOL! Everyone is so technical these days...including me. LOL! It’s an cheapo I picked up at the hardware store.

 

a stovetop thermometer and a pair of eyes is all you need.

 

alls i simply use fot my stove exhaust pipes are them lottle magnetic temp gauge gizmos that ya can pick up from lowes and i set it on my exhaust pipe about a third to half of the way up to kinda see how hot everythings is getting and were the temps are at

 

I find a flue thermometers pretty helpful. Probe type because of double wall pipe. That and the window do the trick for me. I have a magnetic stovetop thermometer, and use it so little, I forget it is there.

 

Not if you’re trying to see how well your chimney drafts at a real low burn on a wood/coal stove burning wood. You might wake up dead...pun intended.

 

Mentioned already...I have two...plus an IR gun...and now a manometer as well. I’ll be hooking it up soon.

Once I find out if the chimney is safe and drafting well with coal at low burn, then yes, I can use my thermometers to know exactly what is going on with the stove and the draft.

Going to be looking into those thermometers brenndatomu. That might just work. Going to remove and check my stove pipe and install my manometer this weekend, maybe. Need to get it all done ASAP.

 

The only other option that I know of is Auber Instruments has different options...more money though too...the wireless BBQ thermometer is the best affordable solution in my mind...

 

All I've ever had is one of those magnetic thermometers. Finally broke down and bought a couple IR guns a few years back.

As far a manometer, I can't understand the need.