What's a good way to check the tempature in a Paragon oven?
- Thread starter Tom Lewis
- Start date
A.McPherson
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2012
- Messages
- 2,739
You can borrow my PID and thermocouple if you’d like...
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 36,431
The best way is to have a known second TC and reader to check it with. It can be a TC and a good ohmmeter, or a second PID and TC.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Very-High-...252754?hash=item33da53bbd2:g:wLcAAOSw0exZ~dT3
I have two lab testing units that has three independent PIDs in it to check temperatures and calibrate TCs. Looks like something out of the space shuttle. I bought them surplus for $10 each. Probably cost $1000 each new.
A good way to check a TC is to place in a pot of boiling water ( not touching the bottom or sides) and read the temperature. Check the boiling point for your altitude first*. Check the reading to two decimal points if the unit allows, as the accuracy must be very close at boiling. Error is usually linear. That means a 1° error at 212° could be a 10° error at 2100°.
*
While it is best to have the boiling point to a tenth degree, this chart works close enough.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/boiling-points-of-water-1328760
A final thought for this is to get one of the Chinese multi input temperature readers. They are ridiculously cheap. However, they seem to read pretty good. They come in 2, 3, and 5 inputs. The TCs that come with them are junk, but buying two or three type K TCs the same as your kiln takes and connecting them will allow a three reading comparison.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Thermometer-Thermocouple-Sensor-2-Channel-2-K-Type-Temperature-Meter/182481452135?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=44040&meid=16360e1475294524b1fd84d279bfe39c&pid=100005&rk=3&rkt=12&mehot=pp&sd=221879995097&itm=182481452135&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
https://www.ebay.com/itm/K-Type-Hig...992496?hash=item3629a63570:g:dyIAAOSw301aVyTK
I have used my five probe unit for simple readings to compare areas on a grill, check for hot spots on a machine, etc. I haven't used it for checking a kiln because I had better choices, but it is worth a try. At worst, you will have a $20 so-so thermometer that is good for checking the quench tank, and three spare TCs for the kiln.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Very-High-...252754?hash=item33da53bbd2:g:wLcAAOSw0exZ~dT3
I have two lab testing units that has three independent PIDs in it to check temperatures and calibrate TCs. Looks like something out of the space shuttle. I bought them surplus for $10 each. Probably cost $1000 each new.
A good way to check a TC is to place in a pot of boiling water ( not touching the bottom or sides) and read the temperature. Check the boiling point for your altitude first*. Check the reading to two decimal points if the unit allows, as the accuracy must be very close at boiling. Error is usually linear. That means a 1° error at 212° could be a 10° error at 2100°.
*
While it is best to have the boiling point to a tenth degree, this chart works close enough.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/boiling-points-of-water-1328760
A final thought for this is to get one of the Chinese multi input temperature readers. They are ridiculously cheap. However, they seem to read pretty good. They come in 2, 3, and 5 inputs. The TCs that come with them are junk, but buying two or three type K TCs the same as your kiln takes and connecting them will allow a three reading comparison.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Thermometer-Thermocouple-Sensor-2-Channel-2-K-Type-Temperature-Meter/182481452135?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=44040&meid=16360e1475294524b1fd84d279bfe39c&pid=100005&rk=3&rkt=12&mehot=pp&sd=221879995097&itm=182481452135&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
https://www.ebay.com/itm/K-Type-Hig...992496?hash=item3629a63570:g:dyIAAOSw301aVyTK
I have used my five probe unit for simple readings to compare areas on a grill, check for hot spots on a machine, etc. I haven't used it for checking a kiln because I had better choices, but it is worth a try. At worst, you will have a $20 so-so thermometer that is good for checking the quench tank, and three spare TCs for the kiln.