So my M55 Insert has had an OAK for over two years. (Incidentally, the tech manual strongly recommends) despite my dealers insistence that it's not....) I know that it gets very cold behind the insert when the stove is off and that cold air can easily cool down the entire downstairs over time. (The OAK is a about a 2.5' 3" straight aluminum pipe that snugs into a larger collar seated in the back inside of the fireplace.) So, if I insulate the pipe and have a tight insulated seal around the screened inlet that sticks out on the outside of the chimney....problem solved. But......now I worry that the area behind the stove could get too hot!!!!! for the electronics and do damage. Is this a real concern? Thanks, Bill
Best way to safely insulate a pipe is to have a double wall pipe. (Nothing combustible there) That should offer you adequate cold/heat transfer protection. For OAK, anything external to that that on the outside of the house should be fine.
Probably not, While the stove is running the convection blower will still draw air into the surround area. This should keep the stove innards cool enough.
I'm with both of these guys ^^ No worries here. It won't hurt anything. Nor be any warmer than it would be if operation with no OAK.
