Manual damper on an epa stove?

Stillson lives · Nov 13, 2014

Thanks to all that helped with my wood stove problems last season. It's now burning great. My question is; can I install a manual damper on my stove (quadrafire 5700?) I think my flue temp is still a bit high (probe thermometer in six inch double wall pipe.) help!

Sprinter · Nov 14, 2014

Flue dampers are indicated for controlling excessively high draft. Probably not your problem, but how tall is your flue?

Exactly what temp is your flue running at cruise that you think it's too high? My flue can get up to 1000F on a startup, but it stabilizes closer to 600 (also a probe thermometer).

Stillson lives · Nov 14, 2014

Thanks for the reply! My flue is 24 ft. High double wall insulated pipe that runs outside my home from the basement. I should also mention that I have an outside air kit attached to my stove.
My flue temp also gets around 1000 but seems to hover at around 800.

Huntindog1 · Nov 14, 2014

Whats your flue temp and whats your stove top temp?

You can control things by shutting the air down in steps a little quicker.

As long as you dont stop the secondary flames up in the top of the stove you are not shutting it dont too quick.

Being patient and closing the input primary air in a 1/4 ways increments then waiting a few minutes then close it another 1/4 ways.

Learn how fast you can lower that input air as its tricky too do that as each wood load is different and also depends on how hot a coal bed you put the wood on and how tightly you packed the wood in the stove.

Sprinters measurements as he pointed out are with a probe which is higher than a surface temp.

Stillson lives · Nov 14, 2014

Huntindog1 said:
Whats your flue temp and whats your stove top temp?

You can control things by shutting the air down in steps a little quicker.

As long as you dont stop the secondary flames up in the top of the stove you are not shutting it dont too quick.

Being patient and closing the input primary air in a 1/4 ways increments then waiting a few minutes then close it another 1/4 ways.

Learn how fast you can lower that input air as its tricky too do that as each wood load is different and also depends on how hot a coal bed you put the wood on and how tightly you packed the wood in the stove.

Sprinters measurements as he pointed out are with a probe which is higher than a surface temp.

Thanks Huntindog1! My flue temp is idling at about 800. I honestly need a stovetop thermometer (my 2 yr old overwound the spring before it made it to the stove) I usually load my stove onto a thick red hot bed of coals and I keep my splits loosely stacked across the coals. Generally, I find a comfortable primary setting and leave it there since the quad 5700 has the automatic timer control vent.

Huntindog1 · Nov 14, 2014

Oh I see you said probe thermo so that 800 is most likely a good temp as your reading internally to the pipe.

How high above the stove is your probe thermometer?

Plus your double wall pipe is keeping your flue gases hotter.

Stillson lives · Nov 14, 2014

Huntindog1 said:
Oh I see you said probe thermo so that 800 is most likely a good temp as your reading internally to the pipe.

How high above the stove is your probe thermometer?

Plus your double wall pipe is keeping your flue gases hotter.

It's about a foot and a half above the stove. Thanks for your help on this.

Grisu · Nov 14, 2014

Stillson lives said:
I usually load my stove onto a thick red hot bed of coals and I keep my splits loosely stacked across the coals.

No wonder your stove threatens to run away on you. That's usually a sure fire recipe for getting an overfire. Next time I would rake all the coals forward. Then place the splits behind and on top of the coals. Wait until it has ignited, then close door and start dialing down the air in stages. Your burn should be much more controllable and maybe you can get the flue temps even a bit lower than that.

Stillson lives · Nov 14, 2014

Grisu said:
No wonder your stove threatens to run away on you. That's usually a sure fire recipe of getting an overfire. Next time I would rake all the coals forward. Then place the splits behind and on top of the coals. Wait until it has ignited, then close door and start dialing down the air in stages. Your burn should be much more controllable and maybe you can get the flue temps even a bit lower than that.

Great idea!! thanks!!

Grisu · Nov 14, 2014

P.S. Welding gloves are really helpful!

begreen · Nov 14, 2014

Good suggestion. I would also recommend burning down the coal bed further before reloading. Try adding a small split on the coals and open up the air at least halfway. Let the coal bed burn down for 20-30 minutes until it is maybe 1" deep, then rake forward and proceed as Grisu suggested.

Sconnie Burner · Nov 14, 2014

begreen said:
Good suggestion. I would also recommend burning down the coal bed further before reloading. Try adding a small split on the coals and open up the air at least halfway. Let the coal bed burn down for 20-30 minutes until it is maybe 1" deep, then rake forward and proceed as Grisu suggested.

I did this last night after what happened the night before last. See "Closest I want to come to an over-fire" post. Way tamer of a reload! I'm still contemplating a damper as well though just for that extra reassurance I can shut things down when temps get out of my comfort zone. It can always be removed once I get a better feel for the stove! I would rather have to brush a little creosote than have to replace parts or a whole stove/chimney setup due to an over-fire.

JayD · Nov 14, 2014

My internal flue temp 18" above the stove runs 800-1000 on start up, If you damper it much your going to cool the pipe pretty good on a 24 ft exterior chimney that will make creosote. Keep your eye out for build-up, starting midway up.

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