How to Install a Flue Gas Stove Pipe Thermometer

The installation of the flue gas thermometer in the stove pipe above my woodstove was quite simple. Here is how I did it:

Tools you will need:

• Electric drill with a 1/4 inch drill bit
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Work gloves (if the stove pipe is hot)

Here are the steps:

1. Measure and mark a spot on the stove pipe at least 18 inches above the top of the stove. Along as the location is at least 18 inches from the stove top the rest is really aesthetic. I like having the thermometer immediately visible from the front of the stove.
   
   
2. Drill a 1/4-inch hole at the spot you marked. I have a double-walled stove pipe a sharp metal drill bit was necessary, as the interior wall is stainless steel.
   
   
3. Insert the Probe thermometer in the hole. My thermometer came with an eyelet and a magnet which were threaded on to the probe before putting it in the hole.
   
   
4. Enjoy!
   

I was initially concerned about having a tight seal where the probe goes in the hole but the pro at the fireplace store where I purchased the thermometer sai there is not worry -- the draft up the chimney will take care of it!. And the the magnet holds the thermometer nicely in place.


Coming Up:
In up coming posts I will discuss some the of the issues regarding what to burn, and what not to burn in your wood stove.

Related Posts:

;-)

Selecting the Right Woodstove Thermometer

Your choice of woodstove thermometer is dependent on a number of factors:

• the type of stove,
• type of stove pipe and
• personal preference/comfort.

Catalytic Thermometer:
If you have a new flanged stove with a fancy catalytic combustor in it you will need one of these. While I have a newer EPA woodstove it isn't one of these so my choices were among the next three. Don't know much more about them as I didn't need to know beyond that I can't use it in my stove.

Stove Top Thermometer:
This type of thermometer lies on the top of the woodstove. Often it also has a magnet in it as well. It works by estimating the temperature of the stove by the temperature of the stove top.

Magnetic Stove Pipe Thermometer:
This type of thermometer is attached magnetically to the stove pipe, generally at least 18 inches above the stove. It can only be used with single walled stove-pipes.

Flue Gas Probe Thermometer:
A probe thermometer (see the picture above) looks something like an oven meat thermometer, and is inserted in a hole at least 18 inches above the woodstove. It is the only type that can be used with a double-walled stove pipe.

What did I choose?
I installed the flue gas probe thermometer.

I have a double-walled stove pipe so the magnetic stove pipe thermometer drops of the list. As for the stove top thermometer - the whole idea of estimating the temperature based on siting on the stove or attached magnetically to the stove or pipe just doesn't sit right with me. Having a probe right in the flue gas just seemed so much more comforting or should I say exacting. And the price differential was not that great - for an extra $5 or $10 dollars I was able to get the Flue Gas Probe thermometer. I believe I paid in the order of $25 for the probe thermometer.

Coming Up:
In the next post I'll describe the installation of the flue gas probe thermometer

Related Posts:
Safe Wood Stove Practice: Knowing the Temperature
7 Reasons to Install a Woodstove Chimney Thermometer
;-)

7 Reasons to Install a Woodstove Chimney Thermometer

Image via Wikipedia

The main reason to install a thermometer for your wood stove is SAFETY - not to burn down your cottage! But there are other reasons - here are seven:

Safety: A quick look and you know instantly, the thermometer tells you if your fire is burning too hot, with the danger of a chimney fire. Or too cool, with incomplete combustion, which causes smoldering woodsmoke to condense as hazardous creosote.

Extends Life of Your Stove:
Excessive smoke or excessive heat will degrade catalytic combustors in the new EPA stoves. Without a thermometer, you're merely guessing at conditions in your firebox. A small investment in a stovepipe thermometer can pay handsome dividends, by guarding against premature replacement of your wood stove.

Less Frequent Chimney Cleaning:
Creosote, the bane of stovepipes, builds up surprisingly rapidly, especially in airtight stoves, when fires burn at consistently low temperatures. Stovepipes from non-catalytic combustor stoves should always be equipped with thermometers to enable the owner to avoid operating conditions where creosote builds up and causes frequent cleaning of the flue.

Longer-Lasting Fires:
When woodstoves burn too hot, flue gases rush up the chimney and valuable heating energy is lost forever. An inefficient fire leads to unnecessary reloading of fuel.

Saves Money:
The cost of woodstoves, chimney cleaning and wood... A thermometer for your woodstove saves you needless expenses and effort by teaching you how to operate your stove at best efficiency and lowest total cost.

Conserves Wood Resources:
If for no other reason, you should monitor your stove's combustion in order to avoid unnecessary waste of fuel -- truly $ flying up the chimney!

Environmental Air Quality:
The woodstove that burns efficiently generates less air pollution. Older woodstoves especially require thermometers to control smoke emissions. Owners of new stoves benefit, too, by using a thermometer to help optimize stove performance.

Coming Up:
In the next few posts we will describe:
1) What type of thermometer to pick for your stove
2) How to install a thermometer.

Related Posts:
Safe Wood Stove Practice: Knowing the Temperature

;-)

Safe Wood Stove Practice: Knowing the Temperature

The temperature of the flue gases flowing up the chimney from your wood stove is a good measure of how safe your wood-burning practices are. Installing a flue gas thermometer is inexpensive and an easy task to accomplish resulting in exactly knowing what's happening in your stove - at least temperature-wise.

So What is the Right Wood Stove Temperature?
Under 400 degrees F: is the temperature zone that creates nasty deposits in your chimney, the worst of which is creosote. It is these deposits that catch on fire and can spoil a nice relaxing day at the cottage. With the flue gas thermometer you can easily know when it is time to open up the air damper or add more fuel to the fire - both of which will get that flue gases humming at the right temperature again.

Over 900 degrees F: a hot fire can prematurely corrode and degrade the metal flue pipe and the wood stove. When over 900 degrees it is time to stop stoking the fire and turn down the damper.

Between 400 and 900 Degrees F: This is the cozy temperature for a wood stove. At this temperature the wood is burning and converting almost completely and creating very little nasties to gum up your chimney.

Coming Up:
In the next few posts we will describe:
1) What type of thermometer to pick for your stove
2) How to install a thermometer.

;-)