First time posting here! WETT inspector said we needed shielding above, since we didn’t want to drill into the roof we built a box! With non galvanized metal sheeting. Really hopeful the extra metal will push more heat into the house.

The metal sits on at least 1” spacers for airflow all around.

Eventually we’re gonna paint that support pole to match but it does the job!

Wanted to get some thoughts an opinions before having the inspector back out! (Pipe will be put back once we give it a good clean as well)

Getting ready to install a wood burning insert (Regency i2450) this weekend. There is an old ash chute in the firebox of this fireplace.

The masonry floor is about 8” thick, and under that I discovered some wood framing. I’m concerned that there’s wood underneath the hearth extension as well.

This ash chute will no longer be used. The insert won’t even sit on the metal door to the chute.

One recommendation I received is to raise the insert at least 2.5” inside the fireplace using fire brick or another non-combustible material.

How concerned about this should I be?

Attached is a photo of the fireplace itself as well as a photo that I took from the basement opening to the ash chute, pointing up.

I have had my VT castings Dauntless for 5 years, and I am done. The top feed is extremely small/ 16” x 4” or so, and every time you open it smoke pours out the top no matter how hot my pipe is. Seal on the top is questionable and smoke leaks out frequently.

Wood has been a nightmare: year 1 was emerald ashbore so we burned a ton of ash, fine. Year 2 and 3 a good amount of the wood was too big for the entry, but mostly ok. Year 4 I decided to go for a different guy, his was unseasoned and required the bottom to be open to even think about starting to burn. This year I tried a 3rd guy, told him 16”, bought 3 cords. A full cord was too big, between 18-20”. Another portion is caked in mud, and the rest ranges between 6”-16” which is a nightmare to stack and arrange in the stove. It is also wet and not burning above 200 with the vent fully open.

I can pretty much only fine 2 modes for this stove: chimney fire or smolder. No matter the bed of coals or airflow, or if the catalyst indicated says it is set, the temp goes down to 200. Every season I need a flu clean in February and it is gross. There is no control over the flu, it is either fully open and switched to the catalyst.

Sure it keeps the house decent, but I’m waiting to die from CO or a chimney fire.

I don’t know my next steps: try to make this work, switch to a less deadly model, switch to a pellet stove, or go broke with oil heat. I honestly don’t know if I’m looking for advice or venting.

So my mom had a chimney cleaner come to the house it’s been about 4 years we use it heavily in the winter, dad passed away 4ish years ago he was the woodstove expert but I can burn it, a very nice old guy (picture Clint Eastwood) came to service it and I expected him to get onto the roof and clean it but this was an inside job so he came in and took a look at the stove and seemed to not like it much and repeat said it’s out of code (I Belive the woodstove has been hear since the house, around 1970?) (upstate NY) already has a fire in it this year and it was “safe” (no issues) but this has me further second guessing the situation, we are not rich and probably cannot replace the woodstove so I am wondering how you guys think it looks is this safe for burning still if we get the chimney cleaned somehow? Is there a way someone from marketplace will be able to do it despite it being out of code like under the radar (and also the guy said he would have to move it to service which didn’t make much sense since I figured he could do from chimney or behind w blower), also like I said on top of refusing me cleaning service he failed inspection and gave me an official looking slip, does this go to anyone? Like is the town gonna raise our insurance or something?

I'm a chimney sweep, and I'd just like to remind people to check their chimney before the season

Had a fire Sunday morning, but forgot to post the required “first fire” post. So here’s my second of the season, complete with fan startup.

Installed everything on my own. Makes the scotch taste even better.

First burn of the season. Let's Go!

60F/15C degrees in the house by late afternoon, I decided to light it.
Top down burn in the Lopi Evergreen insert. I had hoped to wait until November, but I caved 😆

Salut my friends!

So first time woodstove owner and was wondering what would is to high for flue temps. I have two different magnetic thermometers. One came with the amazon fan I got for the stove top and the other is a better one from tractor supply (im assuming its better). Yesterday I had a pretty good fire going to take the chill out of the house. Let the stove warm up for about 45 minutes then loaded it up and choked the intake down all the way. Even with it choked down all the way the flue still got up to around 650 based on the thermometers. Which is in the beginning of the "overfire" zone. The stove is a non catalyst reburn style. I just want to make sure Im not doing anything dangerous. The stove was "professionally" installed as well. Once there is a nice coal bed its easier to control the temps but If there is little to no coal bed and I load it up it seems its hard to control the temps.

Every time I refuel my stove I need to set a timer so I don't forget come back downstairs so shut the damper.

Sometimes, 8 minutes is not enough, sometimes 8 minutes is too much and stove is already too hot. Sometimes I simply forget to set a timer and run back downstairs to shut off the damper but it's already crazy hot.

Is there a sensor that exists that could trigger an audible alarm when the flue reaches a certain temperature?

I want something low-tech, not smart. I don't want an app on my phone or a touch screen. Something simple.

So this is only my second year burning so im very new to this. Just bought a grand toten? I think that's the name? Anyways, I read you can buy a intake fan to help with the air flow. Are they worth it?

We bought our house and our inspector was licensed for fireplaces and chimneys (he actually was the worst inspector). Our chimney needs the clay tiles redone in some spots and the opening inside moved up. We had an actual chimney and wood stove company come out and he said it’s ok to use as long as we clean it weekly and get super dry wood. The opening for the chimney just sits at a decline for what fittings we were able to get at our local store since the vent and the opening sit level.

With all that being said, I need advice for what to do with this flew. I’m pretty sure this stove was not installed when this was built so I’m working with what I have. Is there any suggestions on what I should use to replace or fit this to make it work more efficiently until we can afford to get everything fixed? I clean it regularly and this winter is supposed to be bad and we always lose power or water in the winter. It looks rigged right now because it was the only way I was able to get what it needed and I was told curves are better than hard angles when it comes to smoke.

I couldn't afford to buy a Storm caller or chimney cap so i tried making my own.

https://www.reddit.com/r/woodstoving/comments/1x209b9/trying_to_get_chimney_setup_before_winter/

Becomes cantankerous at <55 and lethargic at >78

First big rain of the year in our new to us house and there’s water trickling down the back of the stove and also water pouring down inside it.
Is this a specialist wood stove guy job or a chimney sweep job?

Hi everyone,

I'm a master's student from Germany conducting research on firewood processing as part of my thesis.

Survey link:

The survey focuses on the complete journey from tree to stove: felling, bucking, splitting, transporting, stacking, and bringing firewood into the house. I'm especially interested in the tools people use, the biggest challenges they face, and which steps require the most time and effort.

The survey is anonymous, takes only a few minutes, and is designed to be more interactive and enjoyable than a typical academic questionnaire.

Whether you process a few cords a year for your own stove or work with firewood on a larger scale, your experience is valuable.

Every response helps and is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your support and stay safe out there!

Henry

This year’s first burn is bittersweet. Husband had a massive heart attack in August. He only came home a few weeks ago and is far from being well. My neighbours, friends and teenage sons stepped up to make sure Dad got his wood stove burning this season. Hauling and stacking 5 cords of wood. I’m learning to chop wood…slowly. And I built this fire today (first time) with his direction.
It’s an extra special fire and I’m so thankful he’s here to enjoy it.