In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

CO scare

Discussion in 'Modern EPA Stoves and Fireplaces' started by Paul Dokken, Feb 1, 2026.

  1. Paul Dokken

    Paul Dokken

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    Last weekend just before bed we noticed our Lopi stove was smelling a little more smoky than usual. A few hours last my wife and 3 kids were awakened by the carbon monoxide detectors going off. We called 911 and the came and aired out the house and I shoveled all the coals out of the stove. In the morning i realized that the bottom piece to our external chimney has fallen off. It turns and has something like threads that hold it on. I am using the stove again and have some buckets and wood as a precaution.

    I am thankful that we had detectors and hate to think what might have happened. God was watching over us.

    Paul
     

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  2. BuckthornBonnie

    BuckthornBonnie

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    Get the proper cap/plug asap. I see it’s Duravent so the 1/4 lock design. Each company has different designs for that. They’re available online and your dealer should have one around.

    Ditch that wood in favor of something non combustible. Where’s the original cap? It’s possible for a hot piece of material to fall to that point. Rare, but possible. I have found ash in ours after hot burns that may have ignited something in the flue (not a full chimney fire, but close).
     
  3. BuckthornBonnie

    BuckthornBonnie

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    Wait- is that length of pipe setup just putting pressure on the cap?

    The lock mechanism is the partial thread. You have to get it just right and it will lock in and stay. I have never had ours just fall out.
    Expect the handle to eventually break those cheap rivets or spot welds, though. Mine went after 14 years. I fixed it with screws and dabs of jb weld epoxy.

    While CO is a concern with any combustion, wood stoves usually provide the patented smell of smoke to alert people that something is wrong. Your draft pull probably failed due to the open system when the cap/plug fell out. All fixable.
     
  4. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Yeah they are usually a fight to get out!
     
  5. Paul Dokken

    Paul Dokken

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    I am not sure if I just didn’t tighten it properly. I put it back on and turned it about a quarter turn the piece of wood is not actually touching the pipe just a precaution. I will look for a new one to install.
     
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  6. Paul Dokken

    Paul Dokken

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    The whole bottom piece is the cap and really heavy. I searched for duravent 8” cap and this is all I found.
    What is a good search term and do I really need a cap that long?

    I have seen some black pieces in the bottom and clean it often.
     
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  7. jtstromsburg

    jtstromsburg

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    I had a similar experience a few years ago, when it was extremely cold (for Nebraska). Couldn’t figure out why I couldn't get draft going, and after struggling to get things going I discovered the “plug” had come out of the bottom of my T. It’s in sorta a window well so now i check it for tight periodically.

    Glad you caught it and all is gooder again
     
  8. Dok440

    Dok440

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    Glad everyone is okay and the co sensors worked. Let us know if something failed or it just wasn't installed correctly. That would have me worried.
     
  9. BuckthornBonnie

    BuckthornBonnie

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    The cap should not be that heavy. The link you posted… is that what you have now?
     
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  10. BuckthornBonnie

    BuckthornBonnie

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    I think there’s something off with either your setup or our communication.
    The correct setup on through-the-wall Ts is the bracket, T, clean-out plug/cap (let’s call it a plug) and that’s it. No pipe is typically extended down from the T.
    The plug you linked is correct in terms of looks, but verify dimensions on pipe OD/ID. I have 6” class A duravent.
     
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  11. BuckthornBonnie

    BuckthornBonnie

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  12. BuckthornBonnie

    BuckthornBonnie

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    Now, I prefer what I did for my basement install, but this works and was done by the stove shop in 2012. Notice the cleanout plug.
     
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  13. BuckthornBonnie

    BuckthornBonnie

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    *pipe could be extended down and then capped as a sort of creosote trap (like sediment filter) or if water was a concern, but I just don’t see it as a good concept. It would be a bad thing to have a pipe section filled with creosote spark up right there.
     
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  14. billb3

    billb3

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    Yeah, that pipe hanging off the bottom is kinda a weird setup.

    Are there really no screw in either of the bottom two screw holes in that support bracket ? That bracket needs to ALWAYS be vertical.
     
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