Better draft in high wind?

Yep for me it is a south wind, makes for a blast furnace.

Yup and that is why I keep a pipe damper on the stove.. Just in case it's too good..

Ray

Yes i am getting strong winds right now and my stove is hard to keep under control.

48rob said:

Wind is about 40 mph and stove/flames seem more lively than normal.

No backpuffing and no smoke when the door is opened.

Click to expand...

So, backpuffing and smoke during reloads are the norm for you?

Chimneys that end lower than the ridge line of the roof may have downdrafting problems with certain wind directions, but all I ever see in my location is a huge boost in draft. Can be hairy at times, but it's better the the opposite because I can control it by closing up the intake air more.

Hey guys,

I find just the opposite with my new installation. Windy days cause backpuffing in my case. I guess that's a sign of lack of draft. My stove is notorious for this, however I think the shorter chimney and lack of a full liner can take the blame for this scenario. I also notice slightly lower cat temps with this install. The cat still lights off though with every load of wood. Temps get up to 850 on the cat thermometer.

That being said, I'm still pleased with the results of putting the stove upstairs versus the basement install. More heat and less wood, easier to load and watch.

VCBurner, also when you get high winds, if there are a lot of trees or high building in the area you will also get downdrafts with the wind. When it can be worse if if the tall stuff is on the wind side of you. The wind can make a wrap-around effect. Sort of like what you get along a tree line in a farm field. The high wind will blow over the top of the trees and then after it reaches the more open part it will drop down and there can be a vacuum effect which takes the wind downward and then backwards toward the trees. The same thing can happen with a chimney...especially a short chimney.

Backwoods Savage said:

VCBurner, also when you get high winds, if there are a lot of trees or high building in the area you will also get downdrafts with the wind. When it can be worse if if the tall stuff is on the wind side of you. The wind can make a wrap-around effect. Sort of like what you get along a tree line in a farm field. The high wind will blow over the top of the trees and then after it reaches the more open part it will drop down and there can be a vacuum effect which takes the wind downward and then backwards toward the trees. The same thing can happen with a chimney...especially a short chimney.

Click to expand...

+1

Ray

Backwoods Savage said:

VCBurner, also when you get high winds, if there are a lot of trees or high building in the area you will also get downdrafts with the wind. When it can be worse if if the tall stuff is on the wind side of you. The wind can make a wrap-around effect. Sort of like what you get along a tree line in a farm field. The high wind will blow over the top of the trees and then after it reaches the more open part it will drop down and there can be a vacuum effect which takes the wind downward and then backwards toward the trees. The same thing can happen with a chimney...especially a short chimney.

Click to expand...

Our house is surrounded by giant pines, I dislike them more everyday!

Thanks Dennis for discribing this wind caused effect. I would imagine that a liner and cap may help this downdraft. At least I hope because I really like having the stove upstairs.

VCBurner said:

Hey guys,

I find just the opposite with my new installation. Windy days cause backpuffing in my case. I guess that's a sign of lack of draft. My stove is notorious for this, however I think the shorter chimney and lack of a full liner can take the blame for this scenario. I also notice slightly lower cat temps with this install. The cat still lights off though with every load of wood. Temps get up to 850 on the cat thermometer.

That being said, I'm still pleased with the results of putting the stove upstairs versus the basement install. More heat and less wood, easier to load and watch.

Click to expand...

Have any of you had any experience with "Vacu-stack Wind Resistant Chimney Cap"? I also have issues with
backpuffing when the winds get to about 20 mph...does anyone think one of these chimney caps would help?

I don't know if I get a better draft when it is windy. I do know that when it is really cold my chimney real has a good draft . Don't know why might be the difference in air temperature. Dave.

VCBurner said:

Backwoods Savage said:

VCBurner, also when you get high winds, if there are a lot of trees or high building in the area you will also get downdrafts with the wind. When it can be worse if if the tall stuff is on the wind side of you. The wind can make a wrap-around effect. Sort of like what you get along a tree line in a farm field. The high wind will blow over the top of the trees and then after it reaches the more open part it will drop down and there can be a vacuum effect which takes the wind downward and then backwards toward the trees. The same thing can happen with a chimney...especially a short chimney.

Click to expand...

Our house is surrounded by giant pines, I dislike them more everyday!

Thanks Dennis for discribing this wind caused effect. I would imagine that a liner and cap may help this downdraft. At least I hope because I really like having the stove upstairs.

Click to expand...

You are welcome and thank you. When you want to know what wind does, picture what water does in a stream and you will get some ideas. For example, watch what happens when there is a part where the width of the stream is decreased. The water runs faster there and that is also why the wind will be so strong between two buildings.

When you want to know what wind does, picture what water does in a stream and you will get some ideas. For example, watch what happens when there is a part where the width of the stream is decreased. The water runs faster there and that is also why the wind will be so strong between two buildings.

Signature
Keep smiling!
Dennis

Click to expand...

Thanks Dennis for another helpful and thoughtful reply! I had that idea in mind even before I put the stove in the fireplace. I knew the huge area above the damper would steal a lot of draft and combined with the offset and shorter chimney they were a recipe for some downdrafts. But, then again, I was aware of the properties of this chimney from operating the old camp stove in it. I have a feeling that putting another cap such as the vacu-stack on the top would slow the draft even more in calm conditions, but this may be do-able with a liner and a downdraft prevention cap!
Take care Dennis.

ispinwool said:

Have any of you had any experience with "Vacu-stack Wind Resistant Chimney Cap"? I also have issues with
backpuffing when the winds get to about 20 mph...does anyone think one of these chimney caps would help?

Click to expand...

One site prices this cap @ $189 delivered for the cap masonry adaptor and bird mesh. It sounds like a good product and a relatively easy fix, I wonder...
Here's the link http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Chimn...ey-Caps/Vacu-Stack-Wind-Resistant-Chimney-Cap

I still think a liner will benefit my case reguardless of the rest, so I'll keep looking around for a breakthrough deal, like some free parts!!

With that Noreaster that blew through here last month, with the 40mph+ winds it created a very nice vacuum, it sucks the heat right out of the firebox, I had to let the fire go out and let the heat pump kick on, I was burning more wood that I should have.

Even with the fire out when the wind blew you could hear it sucking the air through the epa air intakes.

mellow said:

With that Noreaster that blew through here last month, with the 40mph+ winds it created a very nice vacuum, it sucks the heat right out of the firebox, I had to let the fire go out and let the heat pump kick on, I was burning more wood that I should have.

Even with the fire out when the wind blew you could hear it sucking the air through the epa air intakes.

Click to expand...

That storm was a downdraft nightmare for us. I also let the stove go out for a night just to get a break from the smoke.