Why didn't I do this earlier?

Well, yesterday afternoon I received a phone call from the installers for my wood stove that they were on their way to my house to deliver my new stove. I assumed they were doing just that...delivering the stove but come to find out they were there to install it as well. So, three hours later and I have a working wood stove in my house! Everything went very smoothly other than they ended up putting 2 90degree bends in my pipe. It was suppose to be a straight up chimney install but due to ceiling joists they had to get around it. So, they installed a bend that is not a full 90 degree but still a pretty good bend in the pipe. They assured me that this would not harm the draft etc. Is that true?

Anyways, I almost always keep our house set at 68 which creates numerous complaints from my family about being cold. After loading the stove up last night at 8 pm, my house stayed a constant 74 degree's and as of 7 am this morning, I still had not only coals but there were several logs that were still maintaining their shape and had not yet burned completely! Other than remembering when to open the draft so I don't get smoke in the house, I love this thing I have not even turned the blower on yet!

Bob

It is a Lopi Leyden and I simply could not be more pleased with it! I realize it's a bit premature but I truly thought getting my first overnight burn would take trial and error. But, my first try ever and I accomplished it. We are suppose to be 60 degree's today (normally we are under 30 right now) and instead of allowing it to cool down I actually threw more logs onto it! I will get more pics here soon as I want opinions of the pipe install.

Bob

The bend is actually right above the stove so I should, in theory at least, be able to remove the screw from the bend and simply turn it out of the way. Once out of the way, it is a straight shot right up the chimney. I am hoping it will be that simple at least! Worst case scenario, we have a local chimney sweep that charges $75 to come due it.

Bob

I have attached the pictures of our setup. I plan on building a full brick hearth this summer but for now the hearth pad suffices. If the remainder of my chimney is a straight vertical run will this bend affect my stove's performance?

As for burning yourself loading....no worries. I started my fire and after the kindling was rapidly burning, I simply stacked the wood from the bottom up. This morning I decided to top it off and after opening the damper so the smoke could clear, I was safely able to place the wood in. I do wear welders gloves though when doing so.

Bob