Vermont Castings Magnetic Wood Stove Thermometer

I bought this to go with our Encore stove and set it on the griddle plate where it appears to be functioning just fine. I have no way of testing its accuracy but simply accept that the plate is blisteringly hot (enough to boil water and spin the stove fan blades). After a few weeks and several fires, I have not had any problems with this thermometer — if I do, in the future, I will update this review.I am confident that Vermont Castings makes a quality stove so, my only gripe is: one of these should be included in every stove purchase.Hopefully, this review was helpful to you.

Our wood stove chimney cleaning person, suggested this for additional safety, and I'm pleased with the quality and its magnet has stayed in the same place without moving.

It's a typical wood stove temperature device. I thought because it was a Vermont Castings device it would be more durable and accurate. But it showed very high readings. So I tested it in my oven. Found it was showing about 100 degrees higher than the oven temp. So 700 degrees on my wood stove (Vermont Castings Encore) means 600 degrees. Not a big deal, I suppose. But it certainly is not accurate. Also it is much smaller than one I could buy at the store. But I'm not returning it even though it was much more expensive than a store bought. Too much trouble. My original thermometer ended up falling of the lid of my stove. So every time I added wood it would fall off because the magnet failed probably thanks to the heat. Annoying. We'll see how this one does.

Works great and is easy to use. I wish the numbers were a bit larger.

A thermometer of this type is essential for efficient operation of our Vermont Castings Defiant. It is marked with the factory-recommended temperatures for damping the catalytic system. Looks as though it will last the lifetime of the stove, although it cost a little more than others.

I really liked this thermometer until one day it no longer had any magnetism. I bought it late winter 2020 and had just started using it this winter 2022. So it lasted less than two full winters.

This thermometer was useful during the "break-in" period of our new VC Encore stove, and we rely on the thermometer to determine when to close the damper and adjust the air control. I am disappointed it isn't included with the stove when VC gives very specific temperature ranges and instructions for proper operation of the stove. For example, from the owner's manual: "During the break-in fires, do not let the stove get hotter than 500°F. (260°C) as measured on an optional stove-top thermometer." Otherwise, the cast iron may crack. Does that sound optional to you?

I tried three other brands (because they were cheaper) before landing on this one. The cheaper units all malfunctioned & had color-fading within a short time. This one is holding up great. It appears to be the same quality as the one it’s replacing (which lasted over 20 years).