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Wood Stove ThermometerA wood stove thermometer works well for judging how efficiently you are burning wood. These thermometers come in several different styles and are meant to be mounted either on the stove pipe or on the stove itself.
Why do I need a thermometer?Well, you don't necessarily need a thermometer if you are a wood burning veteran, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have one. A thermometer will let you know if you need to adjust the wood stove at all. For example, if the thermometer is reading low, you are wasting wood and risk creosote build-up in your chimney. On the other hand, if the fire is burning too hot, you could be shortening the life of your woodstove and chimney.
The thermometers come with safe operating ranges that are usually color coated to tell you when you are burning at the most efficient and safe temperature. This means that you get the most bang for your firewood buck, and that you are protecting your wood stove from potential damage. It's a win-win!
Three Types of ThermometersThree types of thermometers are commonly used to gauge the temperature either in the stove on in the stove pipe.
Magnetic Stove Pipe Thermometer These thermometers stick to the stove pipe magnetically and give you a reading based upon the temperature of the pipe. They are pretty inexpensive and work well for single wall pipes.
Stovetop Thermometers The stovetop thermometer goes directly on top of the stove and gives a safe and efficient operating range based upon the temperature on top of the stove itself.
Stove Pipe Probe Thermometer This style features a probe that measures the temperature in the center of the stove pipe. It can be used on single walled pipes, but is designed specifically for double-walled pipes for which magnetic thermometers are not as effective.
Recommendation
If you are an experience wood burner, or use a wood stove with glass doors, you may not need the assistance of a wood stove thermometer to burn your firewood optimally. However, everyone else can benefit from installing a thermometer. For the low price and high value, it's a good choice to pick one up.
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