diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.h b/include/cantera/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.h
index 6034a4ce8..45142e38e 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.h
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ public:
      * @param id     name of the phase id in the file.
      *               If this is blank, the first phase in the file is used.
      */
-    FixedChemPotSSTP(const std::string& infile, std::string id = "");
+    FixedChemPotSSTP(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id = "");
 
     //! Construct and initialize a FixedChemPotSSTP ThermoPhase object
     //! directly from an XML database
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h b/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h
index a1a1bc680..9fe3df2fb 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ public:
      * @param id     name of the phase id in the file.
      *               If this is blank, the first phase in the file is used.
      */
-    MetalSHEelectrons(const std::string& infile, std::string id = "");
+    MetalSHEelectrons(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id = "");
 
     //! Construct and initialize a MetalSHEelectrons ThermoPhase object
     //! directly from an XML database
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/MineralEQ3.h b/include/cantera/thermo/MineralEQ3.h
index 56b57cf19..e608405a4 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/MineralEQ3.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/MineralEQ3.h
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ public:
      * @param id     name of the phase id in the file.
      *               If this is blank, the first phase in the file is used.
      */
-    MineralEQ3(const std::string& infile, std::string id = "");
+    MineralEQ3(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id = "");
 
     //! Construct and initialize a StoichSubstanceSSTP ThermoPhase object
     //! directly from an XML database
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.h b/include/cantera/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.h
index d0dbc05bb..36eb15296 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.h
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public:
      *                  to set up the object
      * @param id        ID of the phase in the input file. Defaults to the empty string.
      */
-    RedlichKwongMFTP(const std::string& infile, std::string id="");
+    RedlichKwongMFTP(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id="");
 
     //! Construct and initialize a RedlichKwongMFTP object directly from an
     //! XML database
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.h b/include/cantera/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.h
index c50a3c1bf..a97b1308f 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.h
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ public:
      * @param id     name of the phase id in the file.
      *               If this is blank, the first phase in the file is used.
      */
-    StoichSubstanceSSTP(const std::string& infile, std::string id = "");
+    StoichSubstanceSSTP(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id = "");
 
     //! Construct and initialize a StoichSubstanceSSTP ThermoPhase object
     //! directly from an XML database
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/SurfPhase.h b/include/cantera/thermo/SurfPhase.h
index 2f223e2d7..97c07b696 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/SurfPhase.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/SurfPhase.h
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ public:
      * @param id     name of the phase id in the file.
      *               If this is blank, the first phase in the file is used.
      */
-    SurfPhase(const std::string& infile, std::string id);
+    SurfPhase(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id);
 
     //! Construct and initialize a SurfPhase ThermoPhase object
     //! directly from an XML database
diff --git a/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp b/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp
index e0ced1e4c..8f3311137 100644
--- a/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ DebyeHuckel::DebyeHuckel(XML_Node& phaseRoot, const std::string& id_) :
     m_densWaterSS(1000.),
     m_waterProps(0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 DebyeHuckel::DebyeHuckel(const DebyeHuckel& b) :
diff --git a/src/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.cpp
index 6ea13ed75..dd1e092d8 100644
--- a/src/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/FixedChemPotSSTP.cpp
@@ -30,43 +30,14 @@ FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP() :
 {
 }
 
-FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP(const std::string& infile, std::string id_) :
+FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id_) :
     chemPot_(0.0)
 {
-    XML_Node* root = get_XML_File(infile);
-    if (id_ == "-") {
-        id_ = "";
-    }
-    XML_Node* xphase = get_XML_NameID("phase", std::string("#")+id_, root);
-    if (!xphase) {
-        throw CanteraError("FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP",
-                           "Couldn't find phase name in file:" + id_);
-    }
-    // Check the model name to ensure we have compatibility
-    const XML_Node& th = xphase->child("thermo");
-    std::string model = th["model"];
-    if (model != "StoichSubstance" && model != "StoichSubstanceSSTP" && model != "FixedChemPot") {
-        throw CanteraError("FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be FixedChemPot or StoichSubstance");
-    }
-    importPhase(*xphase, this);
+    initThermoFile(infile, id_);
 }
 FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP(XML_Node& xmlphase, const std::string& id_) :
     chemPot_(0.0)
 {
-    if (id_ != "") {
-        std::string idxml = xmlphase["id"];
-        if (id_ != idxml) {
-            throw CanteraError("FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP",
-                               "id's don't match");
-        }
-    }
-    const XML_Node& th = xmlphase.child("thermo");
-    std::string model = th["model"];
-    if (model != "StoichSubstance" && model != "StoichSubstanceSSTP" && model != "FixedChemPotSSTP") {
-        throw CanteraError("FixedChemPotSSTP::FixedChemPotSSTP",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be StoichSubstance or FixedChemPot");
-    }
     importPhase(xmlphase, this);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp b/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp
index 2d01c786d..228045646 100644
--- a/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ HMWSoln::HMWSoln(XML_Node& phaseRoot, const std::string& id_) :
     m_last_is(-1.0),
     m_debugCalc(0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 HMWSoln::HMWSoln(const HMWSoln& b) :
diff --git a/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp b/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp
index 4fdad07fb..8db61327e 100644
--- a/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ IdealMolalSoln::IdealMolalSoln(XML_Node& root, const std::string& id_) :
     IMS_agCut_(0.0),
     IMS_bgCut_(0.0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&root, id_), this);
+    importPhase(root, this);
 }
 
 ThermoPhase* IdealMolalSoln::duplMyselfAsThermoPhase() const
diff --git a/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp b/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp
index 6ba032378..abb5f505a 100644
--- a/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ IdealSolidSolnPhase::IdealSolidSolnPhase(XML_Node& root, const std::string& id_,
         throw CanteraError(" IdealSolidSolnPhase Constructor",
                            " Illegal value of formGC");
     }
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&root, id_), this);
+    importPhase(root, this);
 }
 
 IdealSolidSolnPhase::IdealSolidSolnPhase(const IdealSolidSolnPhase& b)
diff --git a/src/thermo/LatticePhase.cpp b/src/thermo/LatticePhase.cpp
index 438e5d60e..a42d7578f 100644
--- a/src/thermo/LatticePhase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/LatticePhase.cpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ LatticePhase::LatticePhase(const std::string& inputFile, const std::string& id_)
 
 LatticePhase::LatticePhase(XML_Node& phaseRef, const std::string& id_)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRef, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRef, this);
 }
 
 ThermoPhase* LatticePhase::duplMyselfAsThermoPhase() const
diff --git a/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp
index 996d608b5..b10b6f6ed 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ MargulesVPSSTP::MargulesVPSSTP(XML_Node& phaseRoot, const std::string& id_) :
     formMargules_(0),
     formTempModel_(0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 MargulesVPSSTP::MargulesVPSSTP(const MargulesVPSSTP& b)
diff --git a/src/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.cpp b/src/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.cpp
index 64e1d2d62..09b629fe3 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.cpp
@@ -29,43 +29,15 @@ MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons():
 {
 }
 
-MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons(const std::string& infile, std::string id_) :
+MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id_) :
     xdef_(0)
 {
-    XML_Node* root;
-    if (infile == "MetalSHEelectrons_default.xml") {
-        xdef_ = MetalSHEelectrons::makeDefaultXMLTree();
-        root = xdef_;
-    } else {
-        root = get_XML_File(infile);
-    }
-    if (id_ == "-") {
-        id_ = "";
-    }
-    XML_Node* xphase = get_XML_NameID("phase", std::string("#")+id_, root);
-    if (!xphase) {
-        throw CanteraError("MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons",
-                           "Couldn't find phase name in file:" + id_);
-    }
-    // Check the model name to ensure we have compatibility
-    if (xphase->child("thermo")["model"] != "MetalSHEelectrons") {
-        throw CanteraError("MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be MetalSHEelectrons");
-    }
-    importPhase(*xphase, this);
+    initThermoFile(infile, id_);
 }
 
 MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons(XML_Node& xmlphase, const std::string& id_) :
     xdef_(0)
 {
-    if (id_ != "" && id_ != xmlphase["id"]) {
-        throw CanteraError("MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons",
-                           "id's don't match");
-    }
-    if (xmlphase.child("thermo")["model"] != "MetalSHEelectrons") {
-        throw CanteraError("MetalSHEelectrons::MetalSHEelectrons",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be MetalSHEelectrons");
-    }
     importPhase(xmlphase, this);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/thermo/MineralEQ3.cpp b/src/thermo/MineralEQ3.cpp
index ebef9986a..1594d596f 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MineralEQ3.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MineralEQ3.cpp
@@ -27,37 +27,13 @@ namespace Cantera
  * ----  Constructors -------
  */
 
-MineralEQ3::MineralEQ3(const std::string& infile, std::string id_)
+MineralEQ3::MineralEQ3(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id_)
 {
-    XML_Node* root = get_XML_File(infile);
-    if (id_ == "-") {
-        id_ = "";
-    }
-    XML_Node* xphase = get_XML_NameID("phase", std::string("#")+id_, root);
-    if (!xphase) {
-        throw CanteraError("MineralEQ3::MineralEQ3",
-                           "Couldn't find phase name in file:" + id_);
-    }
-    // Check the model name to ensure we have compatibility
-    std::string model = xphase->child("thermo")["model"];
-    if (model != "StoichSubstance" && model != "MineralEQ3") {
-        throw CanteraError("MineralEQ3::MineralEQ3",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be StoichSubstance");
-    }
-    importPhase(*xphase, this);
+    initThermoFile(infile, id_);
 }
 
 MineralEQ3::MineralEQ3(XML_Node& xmlphase, const std::string& id_)
 {
-    if (id_ != "" && id_ != xmlphase["id"]) {
-        throw CanteraError("MineralEQ3::MineralEQ3",
-                           "id's don't match");
-    }
-    std::string model = xmlphase.child("thermo")["model"];
-    if (model != "StoichSubstance" && model != "MineralEQ3") {
-        throw CanteraError("MineralEQ3::MineralEQ3",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be StoichSubstance");
-    }
     importPhase(xmlphase, this);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp b/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp
index ba415c2e3..dc6d9d0cf 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ MixedSolventElectrolyte::MixedSolventElectrolyte(XML_Node& phaseRoot,
     formMargules_(0),
     formTempModel_(0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 MixedSolventElectrolyte::MixedSolventElectrolyte(const MixedSolventElectrolyte& b)
diff --git a/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
index 754c60cb3..ed189a7ba 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ MolarityIonicVPSSTP::MolarityIonicVPSSTP(XML_Node& phaseRoot,
     indexSpecialSpecies_(npos),
     neutralPBindexStart(0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 MolarityIonicVPSSTP::MolarityIonicVPSSTP(const MolarityIonicVPSSTP& b) :
diff --git a/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp b/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp
index bd5234eea..31324404c 100644
--- a/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ PhaseCombo_Interaction::PhaseCombo_Interaction(XML_Node& phaseRoot,
     formMargules_(0),
     formTempModel_(0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 PhaseCombo_Interaction::PhaseCombo_Interaction(const PhaseCombo_Interaction& b)
diff --git a/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp
index 73408ecbe..c96d57ccd 100644
--- a/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ RedlichKisterVPSSTP::RedlichKisterVPSSTP(XML_Node& phaseRoot,
     formRedlichKister_(0),
     formTempModel_(0)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id_), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 RedlichKisterVPSSTP::RedlichKisterVPSSTP(const RedlichKisterVPSSTP& b) :
diff --git a/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp b/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp
index cdb72df0c..61f14fc2e 100644
--- a/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP() :
 {
 }
 
-RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP(const std::string& infile, std::string id_) :
+RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id_) :
     m_standardMixingRules(0),
     m_formTempParam(0),
     m_b_current(0.0),
@@ -48,16 +48,7 @@ RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP(const std::string& infile, std::string id_) :
     dpdV_(0.0),
     dpdT_(0.0)
 {
-    XML_Node* root = get_XML_File(infile);
-    if (id_ == "-") {
-        id_ = "";
-    }
-    XML_Node* xphase = get_XML_NameID("phase", std::string("#")+id_, root);
-    if (!xphase) {
-        throw CanteraError("newPhase",
-                           "Couldn't find phase named \"" + id_ + "\" in file, " + infile);
-    }
-    importPhase(*xphase, this);
+    initThermoFile(infile, id_);
 }
 
 RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP(XML_Node& phaseRefRoot, const std::string& id_) :
@@ -69,11 +60,7 @@ RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP(XML_Node& phaseRefRoot, const std::string& id
     dpdV_(0.0),
     dpdT_(0.0)
 {
-    XML_Node* xphase = get_XML_NameID("phase", std::string("#")+id_, &phaseRefRoot);
-    if (!xphase) {
-        throw CanteraError("RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP()","Couldn't find phase named \"" + id_ + "\" in XML node");
-    }
-    importPhase(*xphase, this);
+    importPhase(phaseRefRoot, this);
 }
 
 RedlichKwongMFTP::RedlichKwongMFTP(const RedlichKwongMFTP& b) :
diff --git a/src/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.cpp
index 19549acde..6c167a5c9 100644
--- a/src/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/StoichSubstanceSSTP.cpp
@@ -24,26 +24,13 @@ namespace Cantera
  * ----  Constructors -------
  */
 
-StoichSubstanceSSTP::StoichSubstanceSSTP(const std::string& infile, std::string id_)
+StoichSubstanceSSTP::StoichSubstanceSSTP(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id_)
 {
-    XML_Node* root = get_XML_File(infile);
-    if (id_ == "-") {
-        id_ = "";
-    }
-    XML_Node* xphase = get_XML_NameID("phase", std::string("#")+id_, root);
-    if (!xphase) {
-        throw CanteraError("StoichSubstanceSSTP::StoichSubstanceSSTP",
-                           "Couldn't find phase name in file:" + id_);
-    }
-    importPhase(*xphase, this);
+    initThermoFile(infile, id_);
 }
 
 StoichSubstanceSSTP::StoichSubstanceSSTP(XML_Node& xmlphase, const std::string& id_)
 {
-    if (id_ != "" && id_ != xmlphase["id"]) {
-        throw CanteraError("StoichSubstanceSSTP::StoichSubstanceSSTP",
-                           "id's don't match");
-    }
     importPhase(xmlphase, this);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/thermo/SurfPhase.cpp b/src/thermo/SurfPhase.cpp
index 18533e37f..2ad091b3e 100644
--- a/src/thermo/SurfPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/SurfPhase.cpp
@@ -25,35 +25,15 @@ SurfPhase::SurfPhase(doublereal n0):
     setNDim(2);
 }
 
-SurfPhase::SurfPhase(const std::string& infile, std::string id_) :
+SurfPhase::SurfPhase(const std::string& infile, const std::string& id_) :
     m_press(OneAtm)
 {
-    XML_Node* root = get_XML_File(infile);
-    if (id_ == "-") {
-        id_ = "";
-    }
-    XML_Node* xphase = get_XML_NameID("phase", std::string("#")+id_, root);
-    if (!xphase) {
-        throw CanteraError("SurfPhase::SurfPhase",
-                           "Couldn't find phase name in file:" + id_);
-    }
-    // Check the model name to ensure we have compatibility
-    string model = xphase->child("thermo")["model"];
-    if (model != "Surface" && model != "Edge") {
-        throw CanteraError("SurfPhase::SurfPhase",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be Surface or Edge");
-    }
-    importPhase(*xphase, this);
+    initThermoFile(infile, id_);
 }
 
 SurfPhase::SurfPhase(XML_Node& xmlphase) :
     m_press(OneAtm)
 {
-    string model = xmlphase.child("thermo")["model"];
-    if (model != "Surface" && model != "Edge") {
-        throw CanteraError("SurfPhase::SurfPhase",
-                           "thermo model attribute must be Surface or Edge");
-    }
     importPhase(xmlphase, this);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/thermo/WaterSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/WaterSSTP.cpp
index 3388799fb..a513fa26c 100644
--- a/src/thermo/WaterSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/WaterSSTP.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ WaterSSTP::WaterSSTP(XML_Node& phaseRoot, const std::string& id) :
     m_ready(false),
     m_allowGasPhase(false)
 {
-    importPhase(*findXMLPhase(&phaseRoot, id), this);
+    importPhase(phaseRoot, this);
 }
 
 WaterSSTP::WaterSSTP(const WaterSSTP& b) :