I have a
workshop started with a fairly substantial poured
concrete foundation into which I placed two parallel flue paths made from concrete flue blocks lying horizontally. The first stage of
RMH experimentation will use firebrick construction of combustion chamber and heat riser, covered with
cob and a 55 gal. barrel I still have some concrete to pour for the pad covering the flueblock channels. This is the stage at which I might embed k-type thermocouple probes in the masonry mass to check the temperature at various places. I'm looking for a good, reasonably priced temperature measuring device that would accept a wire type K probe. I figure 3 or 4 probes left in place will be plenty, and only the first one will need to handle high temps. I need to find out what kind of heat I would be subjecting the flueblock and concrete to, so I could make decisions about lining the flue, if necessary. Long term, I'd guess that I would replace the firebrick with a cast refactory firebox and primary flue, but that would be after learning how much heat I can store and what kind of improvements I might need to make in the flue through the thermal mass. Right now, my question is: what's a good meter in the $20 to $40 price range. Suggestions of specific type K probes are welcome, too. Thanks.
