Why is my Wood Stove not producing enough heat?

Another Day and another call from somebody not being able to get enough heat out of their wood stove, I am also reading a lot of problems with heat output of stoves on social media. In the main this is generally around not getting the stove up to Temperature. i.e not enough wood, or another cause wet wood which I will cover in another article.

To ensure your stove is operating at the correct temperature use a magnetic stove thermometer that attaches to your connecting stove pipe or stove. If your stove is too cold then creosote deposits will form, if too hot then you are wasting energy.

Typical Construction: The Stove Thermometer is 2.5 inch Diameter (63mm). Its magnetic so attaches just above your stove on the stove pipe.

INSTALLATION: The stove thermometer attaches magnetically, directly to the metal flue pipe or stove top. Optimal location but not always possible is at eye level, no less than 300mm (12 inches) above the top of the stove, where you can easily see it in the room.

A wood stove thermometer is a tool designed to help you monitor and maintain the optimal temperature of your wood-burning stove. Here’s what it does:

Key Functions

1. Measures Stove Temperature
   It typically attaches to the stove’s surface or Stove Pipe (magnetic) and displays the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.
2. Indicates Burn Efficiency
   Most thermometers have zones marked like:
   • Creosote Zone (Too Cool): Below ~250°F, wood doesn’t burn completely, causing creosote build up in the chimney.
   • Best Operation Zone: Around 300–475°F, where wood burns efficiently and cleanly.
   • Overfire Zone (Too Hot): Above ~600°F, which can damage the stove and pose a fire risk.
3. Improves Safety & Longevity
   By keeping the stove in the optimal range, you reduce chimney fire risk and prevent overheating that can warp metal parts or crack cast iron.
4. Helps Save Fuel
   Efficient burning means less wasted wood and better heat output.