Rustic Outdoor Thermometers

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A rustic outdoor thermometer will tell you everything you need to know about the weather – how hot or cold it is and whether you will be able to enjoy drinks outside or should rather prepare for an afternoon indoors. The charming rural aesthetic of an antique outdoor thermometer will look good come rain or shine, and we’ve picked out a few of the best for you below.

Tara Gosselin Interior Design Expert

Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

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Updated 30/05/2023

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Rustic Outdoor Thermometers

Buying Guide

There’s nothing worse than a malfunctioning outdoor thermometer. Particularly the petite electronic, digital ones that seem to have invaded the world of these simple, trustworthy devices.

Whatever happened to the old, liquid-in-glass rustic outdoor thermometers of yore? Easily readable, as rugged as you need them to be and accurate enough to rely on without double checking the weather report on TV.

The fact is that many homeowners are swapping over to rustic outdoor thermometers. Not only do they last for decades without the slightest problem, but some of them also make great décor pieces. Like the advertising thermometers from the early 1900s.

If you are hunting for one of these gems, then here are some of the factors that you must consider.

How big an outdoor thermometer should I buy?

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.

What materials are the most durable outdoor thermometers crafted from?

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.

Are rustic outdoor thermometers accurate?

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.

What are the available designs of rustic outdoor thermometers?

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.