Coal Stove Draft Problem? - # 2672
Question:I’m burning coal to heat my home and I keep having this problem with chimney draft. I have a city lot so I can’t burn wood, the smoke and smell would infiltrate other homes close to me. Anyway I do burn wood to light off the coal until the draft is good at 350 to 400 degrees or more from the stove pipe. Then I add the coal and that beautiful blue flame arises and intrigues. I keep the ash pan door cracked until the stove reaches 350 degrees, then I close the ash pan door. Not less than an hour later temperature will have dropped to 200 degrees or less and no matter what I do the temperature will not rise until I crack the ash pan door, and the situation repeats itself. Any solutions? By the way, I saw an in-line draft inducer on the Northern tool site that attaches to the stove pipe and supposedly creates a draft. Could you please investigate this product and send me your comments on it?
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Answer:
You definitely have a draft problem. The possible solutions include:
1. Making certain all your stove pipe joints are well sealed with furnace cement.
2. Making certain that your chimney is not oversized - if so, you may want to line it with stainless steel.
3. Inceasing height of chimney (see http://www.extendaflue.com)
4. Install draft fan
The draft fan that you mention will surely work. However, you should be familiar with the potential danger of a “push” fan such as this. If your chimney becomes blocked, the fan will continue to force gases up the flue - which could cause leakage into the home. A CO detector would be one good investment. (and is required by Code in many places) As you may know, coal gases can be odorless but are deadly.
I have personally used draft fans and they did work to my satisfaction.
Link: Extendaflue™ Chimney Pots
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