Buying guide
Best Log Burner Temperature: How to Read a Stove Thermometer
A stovepipe thermometer tells you whether your log burner is running too cold, about right or too hot. On Morsø's flue gas thermometer, the normal range is 110°C to 250°C. Below 110°C the stove is under-firing and builds up tar and creosote in the flue. Above 250°C it is over-firing, and Morsø says to close the air intakes straight away. Your own stove's manual has the final say.
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In this guide
What temperature should a log burner run at?
These zones are from Morsø's flue gas thermometer, fitted on the stovepipe about 30 cm above the stove.
| Flue temperature | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Below 110°C | Under-firing. Can cause smoke, tar and creosote in the flue | Open the air a little and check the wood is dry |
| 110°C to 250°C | Normal operating range, best fuel efficiency | Leave it be |
| Above 250°C | Over-firing. Can damage the stove | Close the air intakes straight away |
Other makers give similar figures. Charnwood's Aire 5 manual lists a flue gas temperature of 230°C, and a University of Missouri guide says to keep the flue above about 120°C to stop creosote forming.
Where should I put a stove thermometer?
A flue thermometer sits on the stovepipe, usually about 30 cm above the top of the stove, and most are magnetic. Stove-top thermometers sit on the stove body instead and read differently, so use the zones marked on the thermometer itself, or in your stove's manual.
What should I do if my stove is running too cold?
- Open the air controls a little and let the fire build.
- Check your wood is dry. Wet wood keeps the temperature down, whatever the air setting.
- Add a couple of smaller logs rather than one big one, so they catch quickly.
What should I do if it's running too hot?
- Close the air intakes, as Morsø advises.
- Don't add more fuel until it has settled back into the normal range.
- Don't overload the stove. Burnright says overloading is a common cause of problems.
Do I need a stove thermometer?
Burnright says a stove thermometer is cheap and will help you, and Charnwood recommends a stovepipe thermometer for correct firing. HETAS says you don't need specialist equipment to burn well. A thermometer is most useful while you're learning how your stove behaves, or if your glass keeps blackening.
Questions
What temperature causes creosote?
Creosote forms when flue gases are too cool. Morsø's thermometer marks anything below 110°C as under-firing, with tar and creosote build-up.
What is over-firing?
Running the stove so hot that it risks damage to its parts. Morsø marks it above 250°C on its flue thermometer. Charnwood warns not to leave the air fully open for long periods.
Does dry wood make a difference to temperature?
Yes. Wet wood spends its heat boiling off water, so the stove runs cooler and smokier. Use wood at 20% moisture or less.
Which logs give the steadiest temperature?
Dense hardwoods such as oak and beech burn slowly and evenly. Softwood flares up hot and fast.
More in our guide to using a log burner.
Logs for this guide
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On orders over £75, on weekdays, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Or collect from Farrahs Saw Mill in Keighley.
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