To improve a low flue wall life, a natural gas purged infrared pyrometer system was implemented to replace original thermocouples based temperature measurement systems on firing system, in 1991. Flue wall life increased to be over 100 cycles, on Pechiney furnaces, by preventing flue walls overheating. Anodes baking quality is adequate for two burners ramps fire technology. Some problems had to be corrected over time as they appeared: calibration drift, pinched injector tubes, frosted pyrometers lenses, etc. Pyrometers and thermocouple measurement technologies can both successfully bake anodes to specifications, but original cost, ease of operation, and maintenance, and effect on refractory may favour one system over the other, depending on the plant situation.