Does colder weather increase stove draft?

Oh yes, colder outside definitely increases the draft- hot air rises, and the higher the temperature difference between inside the chimney and outside, the faster the hot air moves up. I have had to close the bypass damper on our stove to start a fire the last few days, I couldn't keep a match lit with it open! I have to close the bypass about halfway as soon as it is burning, or the fire turns into a blast furnace. In the summer, the draft reverses when it is hot outside and cool inside, and I can occasionally smell smoke/soot near the stove. Would be impossible to light a fire that way, it would take the draft from the flue, and use the house as a chimney!

Yes it does. When it is very cold and dry my stove just takes off. Sounds like a jet engine.

You bet it does. Wind will get you too, but sometimes in ways you don't expect. I've had swirling winds outside that will alternately make phenomenal draft and blow out the fire from above until it gets well established and can overcome the change in pressure.

Sure does. Noticed a huge difference this am, first time it's been above freezing in a week. Thought I picked up wet wood at first till I went outside and realized how much it gad warmed up!

Yes, and if you have a shorter chimney with weaker draft wait till it gets below zero it is a dramatic difference.

04HemiRam2500 said:

Yes, and if you have a shorter chimney with weaker draft wait till it gets below zero it is a dramatic difference.

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Or if you have a tall chimney with already excellent draft.....get ready to change your underwear when you load the stove full to the brim with oak. Fun times lately.

Yesiree ! And watch those sub-zero temps, It'll suck your ash right up the chimney

The colder weather is better but I think most of us are ready for some warmer weather. They say we may be getting some of that next week. Hooray!

BurnIt13 said:

Or if you have a tall chimney with already excellent draft.....get ready to change your underwear when you load the stove full to the brim with oak. Fun times lately.

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'Bout had enough of the "fun times". Seems like every load is a nail biter for the first hour or two.

mol1jb said:

Seems like the past few days my 30 has been burning hotter with no changes in loading or wood. Is this conclusion correct?

Edit- should say last 2 days been much colder than normal temps

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I don't want it to be cold, but if it's cold, I want it to be below freezing! High twenties seem to be my stove's lazy burning range.

Does a one legged Duck swim in circles?? J/K but it is a physics thing as mentioned above and I am no math genius but I do know it works.

On the opposite end you may find it tough to get a decent draft as we warm up - especially when the air is heavy and moist so prepare for that. As Dennis mentioned, we are allegedly going to see that happen in the 10 day forecast and I am certainly looking forward to less draft! But wow will mud season be a doozy this spring