Does anyone know what this rectangular metal box on the back of my stove is? It is level with the back bottom of the stove, and extends up about 14 inches. The bottom has a rectangular cutout in it, the top is closed, and it is inside the back heat shield/air deflector. The stove has a blower motor on the back bottom. Could it be an air source?
I've read through the manual pretty close, especially when I installed the stove, and there's no mention of an OAK connection. I called the manufacturer and the customer rep had no idea what it is for, she reached out to their tech support, I was on hold for 20 minutes and the call was dropped. They didn't call back, so I sent an email to them, maybe that will buy them some time to understand their product and let me know what it is. (sarcasm intended) It's like this almost every time I've called their customer service. TurboDiesel, that is what I'm wondering, although in this case, it would be a 3rd air source. On the front I have the air wash above the door, and also there's a 1/2" tube at the bottom front that's not controllable. There is a blower on back that blows air over this box, but I can't see how they would tie together.
I held a lighter next to the opening of the box to see how the flame responds. The flame definitely is being drawn into the box, and the rate at which it's being drawn is enough to snuff the flame out. This leads me to believe there's an air outlet at the other end, but I'm not sure if it's the cracks at the top of the box, or if it's venting into the stove. If I had something that would produce smoke, I could see where it's venting to.
. Seems to favor it being an OAK connection. . . . A lit piece of paper, incense, cigarette, wood, etc.
Backwoods Savage also suggested an OAK. I didn't think this thing had that setup, but maybe it does. I'm going to call the manufacturer again tomorrow. Your smoke source ideas are something out of the Mr. Obvious show, which I should have thought of myself. LOL You mention incense, last week my wife found some long forgotten incense. Maybe I'll try it, next time I clean my stove.
According to a question/answer on the manufacturer web site, there is not an OAK kit available for this stove.
The inside back of the stove has the fire brick, and a double wall of steel above that, I think a wire would have to double back downward to be seen. But it is worth a try.