Your newly acquired wood/multifuel stove will give months of long, easy & warm cosy days where you can lounge around just enjoying yourself. However, as with all things that are subject to temperature & pH variations, maintenance checks are essential.
Using a thermometer gives you peace of mind over safety and the satisfaction that everything is running under optimum conditions.

Often times these, “checks” may seem as if they might drag you out of your comfort zone but the good news is, that once you’ve attached it to the stove top (or flue pipe arising from it) using a thermometer is as simple as making regular readings. They come in a few varieties and can be wire, hose clipped or magnetically attached.

Figure:1 Typical stove thermometer with “optimum operation zone”

Used primarily to avoid over firing, (the resulting extreme temperatures create bad fuel efficiency) and are operated by having an eye gauge in both °Celsius and Fahrenheit. Keeping your stove burning in the Correct range: 115°C – 245°C or  (240°F – 475°F) will ensure the safest operation, whilst simultaneously giving maximum fuel economy.

Running Too Cool

Allowing your stove to reach burning temperatures below 115°C or (240°F) will lead to incomplete combustion creating carbon monoxide, tar, soot and creosote.

Creosote itself, is a condensation residue of coal and/or wood particles, hydrocarbons, gases and other airborne debris. It is formed as gases cool, for example when air in a chimney is not hot enough to push the particles out. Its appearance is of a thick hard black shiny goo which is flammable and reduces the bore of the flue by sticking to it.

Running Too Hot

When you allow your stove apparatus to run above burning temperatures of 245°C or (475°F) you risk damaging your flue/liner/cowl and possibly warping your baffle plate.  The risk of chimney fires is significantly increased now, especially if there has been creosote build up.

Further Info

Choosing to read our other articles under ‘stoves’ or burning ‘wood’ to gain the knowledge needed to use your appliances to maximum efficiency under safe conditions is advisable. Please always remember a significant part of this maintenance strategy is to get your solid fuel heating appliances in use, swept at least once a year by your chimney sweep.

You can buy thermometers and wood moisture meters Here
NB/ We are in no way affiliated with this company and the link is only just to show an example of what items you may want