Rustic Outdoor Thermometers

Rustic outdoor thermometers generally average between 9-12” in size. That’s the bare minimum size that you should aim for as it allows easy visibility even if you are trying to check the temperature from inside the house. (Installed outside the window sill)

There are of course much larger ones. Some manufacturers even offer custom sized ones for elderly people who might find it difficult to view a small-sized temperature gauge. Any size is fine as long as it doesn’t look like an oversized eyesore outside the house.

Aluminum, stainless steel and wood hold up well to extreme weather conditions. So do plastic, bamboo, and wicker. These can be painted or designed in just about any color combination that you need for easy visibility.

Some antique thermometers are made of zinc and porcelain. But porcelain is prone to cracks and dents even with the slightest gust of wind. On that note, if the prevalent conditions are windy, then look for a material that’s heavy enough to stay steady.

A thermometer bulb on a wooden frame, for example, will be flimsier than one on a stainless steel frame.

Also, check the installation mechanism. It must be easy to install and provide a secure fit that does not wobble.

There’s a reason why old timers swear by their rustic liquid-in-glass, outdoor thermometers that used mercury. That’s because they were accurate even at the extremes (Up to -40). A few degrees off maybe. But nothing severe enough to affect the decision-making process.

Mercury is no longer used in many countries due to toxicity concerns and has been replaced by a non-toxic alcohol liquid that expands with a rise in temperature. These thermometers may be off by 10 degrees or so at extreme temperatures. So prepare accordingly.

If you’d prefer an old-school mercury thermometer, then you’d have to buy an antique. Check whether it’s in working condition before you buy though.

When it comes to aesthetics, nothing can beat the old advertising thermometers. Almost every major brand those days, including Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mail Pouch Tobacco, and Hire’s Root beer, among others had large metal outdoor thermometers.

Small, local brands produced wooden ones. A lot of these are available on eBay. But you’d have to beware of counterfeits and fakes while buying antiques online. And they cost a premium.

Mail Pouch Tobacco, for instance, had a 40” metallic thermometer that they manufactured for niche rural stores. One of those in mint condition would cost you at least $300 now. Cheaper reproductions of old rustic outdoor thermometers are available for much less.