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

Chimney in the snow

Discussion in 'Modern EPA Stoves and Fireplaces' started by Kimberly, Jan 13, 2017.

  1. Kimberly

    Kimberly

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    When I was out taking shots of the snow I looked up and noticed a bit of snow hanging on the chimney; this was around noon or so and I did have a fire going well by then. By the way, notice that my house is no longer green, sister came over before it got too cold and helped me clean the siding. I am still wondering if the draft is enough, I still get some smoke spillage when adding logs; at times rather bad. Could the extra offset from the house affect the draft?

    chimney_in_snow.jpg
     
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  2. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    Removing my cap screen cured my draft problem, it kept plugging up. I cannot tell by the photo if yours is plugging, but you might consider that.
     
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  3. Gasifier

    Gasifier

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    Na. Nice looking place you have there.
     
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  4. Unhdsm

    Unhdsm

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    I think at this point it is a matter of convenience. Yes, a little longer run will help some but the downsides are cost and aesthetics. If you can live with how it runs than it's totally your call. I don't think I'd worry about the snow buildup- just run a brush through when you can and report back what came out. No hurry unless you notice a problem.
     
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  5. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Best to monitor flue temps so you can have an idea of what is going on in the chimney.
     
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  6. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Would think that high up on double wall pipe, with those OAT's, the outer skin would be rather cool anyways?
     
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  7. Kimberly

    Kimberly

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    My chimney cap came with the through the wall kit and did not have a screen; does chimney caps in itself affect draft? There are also some tall poplars (that I wish I could have removed) are very close to the house. I have seen the smoke when first firing tend to blow away from the side the trees are located. I can not drop these trees; I don't have the skill, would need to hire someone and no funds for that at the moment.
     
  8. Kimberly

    Kimberly

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    The idea is that the inside of the chimney stays hot and it appeares that the insulation in the chimney is working well. It collected on the roof guy band.
     
  9. oldspark

    oldspark

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    It's all relative, if the flue temp is too low at the stove then it will be obviously be way too low higher up the chimney.
     
  10. Kimberly

    Kimberly

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    I have a question on that. I have single wall pipe and a magnetic flue thermometer. The flue comes up and then takes a 90 out through the wall. Should I put the thermometer on the vertical run of the flue, or on the horizontal run where it goes out the wall?
     
  11. oldspark

    oldspark

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    I would try it in both locations to get an idea of the difference, I know BWS has a pipe like that and he puts his on the top of the horizontal run if I remember correctly, if it were me I would like to know the difference in the two but no reason to have to temp sensors, just a change in position of the one for future reference.
     
  12. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    It is fairly universally recommended that it be placed about 18 inches above the stove top. I would place it on the vertical at 18 inches, or if there is not 18 inches before the bend, I would place it just below the elbow.
     
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  13. oldspark

    oldspark

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    I forgot to mention the 18 inch is what is recommended (as bushpilot posted) but I would still try both places, I have mine a little higher then the 18 inch as that is not an absolute.
     
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  14. Oldman47

    Oldman47

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    As far as the draft, every elbow acts like several feet of pipe for flow restriction and you have two of them. That will reduce the effective stack draft somewhat but you also have a nice tall chimney so I would expect it to draft well enough.
     
  15. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Not really buying the "every elbow acts like several feet of pipe" even though it is well accepted in the firewood community, my old stove had 2 elbows (90's) and a tee on a 18 foot chimney and it had plenty of draft. That same stove is in the shop now with only one elbow out of the back of the stove and it runs pretty much the same way. Had the same experience with the Summit.
    I guess it all comes down to how your setup will respond to the elbows.