Suggestions for infrared thermometer

Hey Permies,
I’m planning to do some testing around rocket ovens and RMHs. In a lot of videos here on Permies we I see people using infrared thermometers and I think I’d like to get one too for trouble shooting and out of curiosity when operating the stoves and ovens.
A quick research showed a lot of options under 50$, a lot of which measure only up to 700F.
Before committing I thought I ask if some of you have a favorite brand or model or what range you would suggest.
Thanks in advance

We bought this one - Sovarcate infrared thermometer which is currently available from amazon.es for 20€. It measures from -50℃ to 600℃. We figured that would give us the information we actually needed, though admittedly it might be fun to be able to measure higher.

We're still building our rocket mass heater, but we took a load of measurements off the old woodburning stove before we pulled it out.



TOP OF STOVE
before lighting - 12.0
after lighting - 29.5
after few mins - 58
after a while more -140
30 mins later - 250

FIRST CHIMNEY BEND BEFORE EXITS WALL
start - 12.9
after lighting - 28
rising to - 50
after few mins - 98
after closing damper down a little - 103
after a while more - 140
30 mins later - 144

OUTSIDE BEND
after few mins - 90
after closing damper down a little - 82
after a while more - 110
30 mins later - 110

WHERE CHIMNEY GOES THROUGH ROOF
after closing damper down a little - 55
30 mins later - 55

THROUGH THE GLASS OF THE DOOR
30 mins later - 339

And of course the dragons have been playing with it...



Apparently fire-dragons at rest measure 86.8℃...



Here's the link to thread about our build - Matt Walker tiny cookstove build in Portugal

I have several, some go up to 750c but you have to bear in mind they measure surface temperature not air temperature.
They dont like shiny surfaces and overall and can not he relied upon for accurate readings!
However, every stove owner needs one, they are great fun to use and a fantastic insight to where the heat is highest etc ….
The really high heat recordings you might find in a rocket stove are often inaccessible for a gun, areas like the centre of the riser base can only be measured by placing something in the middle of the flow away from the sides.
I dont think ot matters if they are not very accurate and most sub £25 models all very similar in performance, but I would look for one that goes up to 750c .

Thanks Burra and Fox! I'll check my local hardware store with your tips in mind.

Benjamin Dinkel wrote:Thanks Burra and Fox! I'll check my local hardware store with your tips in mind.

Auto parts stores tend to have them too (that's where i've bought the past two "temperature guns" i have that look the same as the one in the pic)