Hey guys, I'm kind of a weather hobbyist, and one thing I think I have observed over the years is the affect barometric pressure and the weather have on the draft in my pipe. It seems like when their is low barometric pressure (less downward pressure), there is better draft. Here's an example: last night, it took my stove an hour and a half to get up to 400 degrees on the surface temperature. This morning - it took 50 minutes to get to 500 degrees. Guess which one had the lower barometric pressure outside? I know, I know, it could just be a couple pieces of poorly seasoned wood last night, but it was all from the same stack. Thoughts? (Please keep from beating me up over my wood not being seasoned enough - I'm getting there - my current wood I'm burning has been seasoned a year and a half, hopefully by next year, I'll have more seasoned 2 and a half years). What do you think about the barometric pressure affecting draft?
I have found that temperature differential affects my stove draft but I'm not sure if that's directly proportional to barometric pressure as well seeing as how warmer temperatures are generally associated with high pressure systems? Chicken or the egg?
That is really interesting Thundar especially considering I too am sort of an amateur guy with the weather and have always noticed the opposite that you have. One good clue on that is to watch smoke when outdoors. Storm coming on? Smoke doesn't go up much at all but just a little then flattens out like a pancake. But get a high pressure come in and the smoke will go straight up (if not windy) and a very nice draw on the pipe.
+4 My understanding as well. The pressure is everywhere, inside & outside lows push air down, highs lift air up
Hey guys, I think my analysis might still be correct...check out this article I linked below. But your points about smoke rising are also true...but I don't think that is because of better draft..it is probably due to less wind and lower humidity in the air. When low pressure comes in, there is usually more wind, which would also affect the smoke moving sideways. Lots of variables, but I enjoy the discussion and learning more about it! http://www.myhomeenvironment.com/si...yhomeenvironment.com/Barometric_Pressure.html
I can't tell heads from tales here, the wind rarely stops lol. I find weather interesting too . I have a glass seaman's barometer like devilsbrew, its intersting to study the weather outside against what its doing. Cool observations Thundar
Not necessarily, some of the coldest temperatures are recorded under a cold dome of high pressure. Maybe you're thinking high pressure means nicer weather but it doesn't mean warmer, just not stormy. I think you would have to note the moisture content of your wood, temperature and barometric pressure to find your answer, I have some free time on my hands but not that much.
Might be onto something When -20°f here & stove cold. I have a tough time getting a draft going. I go pull the bottom plug & light newspaper in it, to get the chimney warmer & drafting then go in & light the stove. Have smoked the house a few times trying to overcome the heavy cold air.
Pretty much the only time when I have trouble getting a decent draft when it's really cold out is if I've let the house get cooler as well, as in down in the lower 50's. If I don't get aggressive enough with the newspaper and kindling and develop raging flamage right from the get-go the smoke just kind of hangs in the firebox and will leak out if I open the door too quickly. I should add that my stove does have an OAK as well.
Dave, when it is that cold, warming the chimney can be tough and that is why poor draft. Once the chimney is up to temperature it should draw nicely though.
Again we sort of disagree in that in winter when we get a high pressure come in, it means high wind and very cold air. Still, we have no problem. However, just before a storm, that is when the draft seems much less. And yes on the lower humidity. But when a low pressure comes in, there is not necessarily more wind; we get the wind after the low moves out or as it is moving. Notice my answer to Dave also about why he gets some poor draft when it is cold. Many folks really notice this problem especially if there chimney is too large. For example, a 6" is stated in a manual for the stove but they have an 8" chimney. Result? Poor draft; can't keep the chimney warm enough. That is also why folks get a downdraft when lighting a fire. One can always think too about aviation. Warm and humid; poor lift. Cold and dry; great lift.
Yea Came back from vacation & smoked the house. Learning curve Amazing what it takes to lift 20' of -20° air. Having the clean-out plug, makes it easy, just a PIA to go outside at -20° & lay on your back in the snow. Gotta take time to make sure the plug is seated back in tight . Air leaks kill the draft.
Try this....just go to myhomeenvironment.com, and click on the barometric pressure tab at the top. That should work.
