Surface Thermometers

Condar's surface thermometers are magnetic, with cool-touch bails for ease of movement. Each comes with a safety screw to attach the thermometer more securely to a stovepipe if desired.

Most surface thermometers may be used on either single-walled stove pipe or on the top of the stove itself. The only exception is the aluminum WoodSaver Stovepipe Thermometer (Model 3-16), which is intended exclusively for stovepipe use. Surface thermometers can even be used to discover proper temperatures for cooking on your stove top! Please follow the instructions provided by your stove manufacturer for proper temperatures indicated for the stove pipe or the stove top.

Installation of Surface Thermometers

Thermometers attach magnetically, directly to metal flue pipe. Optimal location is at eye level, no less than 12 inches above the top of the stove. (If temperature of the flue will exceed 800°F, magnetic strength will decrease and thermometer could fall and burn floor. Drill small hole in fluepipe, place safety screw through eyelet in center of thermometer. If preferred, the surface thermometer may be secured around fluepipe using a wire, through the two holes on sides of thermometer.)

Guidelines for Surface Thermometer  Temperature Readings

Consult your stove manufacturer's manual and recommendations. Approximate guidelines, if installed at eye level on single wall fluepipe:

Less than 230°F: Temperature too low. Incomplete combustion, causing smoke, soot and hazardous creosote. Open draft and/or add dry fuel.

230°F to 475°F: Safe operating temperature. Complete combustion and best efficiency.

Greater than 475°F: Wasting energy, possibly overheating. While this temperature will often be reached on initial firing, not advised for normal operation.

Catalytic Probe Thermometers

The Catalytic Combustor 3-12 and 3-12-1 thermometers are designed to be inserted into a hole in the stove itself so that the end of the probe is approximately 1/2" behind the catalytic combustor. Please follow the instructions provided by your stove manufacturer for the use of a Catalytic Combuster thermometer.

Installation of Probe Thermometers on Stovepipe

Condar's FlueGard 3-39 and Flue Gas 3-19 thermometers are designed to be inserted into a hole in the stove pipe, with the end of the probe centered in the stove pipe for an accurate reading.

To install a FlueGard 3-39 thermometer or a Flue Gas 3-19 thermometer, punch or drill a 1/4" hole in the fluepipe at least 18 inches above the top of the stove or furnace. For double wall pipe, drill a 1/4" hole in the outer wall, and a 3/16" hole through the inner wall. Position where the thermometer will be easy to read. Slide the eyelet and magnet onto the stem of the thermometer; then, insert it into the hole. Before you clean your fluepipe, remember to remove the thermometer. When used on horizontal pipes, add 6% to the readings due to lower heat transfer.

When installed properly, a probe thermometer reads flue-gas temperature to within +- 5% full scale. If placed closer than 18" from the top of your stove or furnace, the thermometer will read slightly high. Creosote on the stem of the thermometer will have little effect on the readings.

Guidelines for Probe Thermometer
Temperature Readings

Consult your stove manufacturer's manual and recommendations. These temperatures are only approximate guidelines. Note that Flue gas readings are approximately 50% higher than surface temperature readings:

100°F to 400°F: Temperature too low. Incomplete combustion, causing smoke, soot and hazardous creosote. Open draft and/or add dry fuel.

400°F to 900°F: Safe operating temperature. Complete combustion and best efficiency.

900°F to 1200°F: Overheating, too hot! Reduce draft.

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