Do you plug flue when not in use?

FPX Dude said:

I'm still in should-season and not really burning yet, but last week I noticed a fairly decent and uncomfortable draft coming thru the FPX vents. I did my usual lighter test and held the flame up to the vents to notice the flame coming straight into the room. I opened the bypass, stuck a towel in the flue, then closed the bypass and voila...flame now goes straight up, no draft! I can already tell 3-4 degrees warmer in the room. I know I'll be doing this more during some down times this season and also at the end of next season.

Do you do any other "draft control" when you're not using your stove?

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There's nothing wrong with doing what you did, just make sure you remember to open it back up before you fire it up!...they make balloons to close up yer flue to cut out the draft, not sure if they make them for all pipe but like I said you gotta remember to take them out before you burn!

We've never had the problem but know some others who have. My suggestion is to write a note to yourself and tie it right to the firebox door latch so that you have to read the note when you open the firebox door. It is sort of an insurance thing like when folks have an RV. They put a note or something on the steering wheel to remind to crank that antenna down before hauling it down the road.

Backwoods Savage said:

We've never had the problem but know some others who have. My suggestion is to write a note to yourself and tie it right to the firebox door latch so that you have to read the note when you open the firebox door. It is sort of an insurance thing like when folks have an RV. They put a note or something on the steering wheel to remind to crank that antenna down before hauling it down the road.

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Dennis that is a great idea.......

During the off season I bag my chimney pipe but for reasons beyond draft.

There was a thread awhile back about this. Seemed a lot of woodburners did not do this. But in the Pellet World almost all do. If you plug the Flue and OAK (if you have one) you seal the stove off from the humid (rusty firebox) Summer air. I want my A/C to stay in the house and I dont want my firebox to prematurely rust out. So I will be pligging or sealing the woodstove also. Along with spraying Pam cooking oil inside to prevent any Rust over the summer. Leave a note in the firebox (leave it in the hopper of the pellet stove) and you and your stove will be happier.

If its for cold air now, then the same thing. Note in box and your good to go. I have not looked into the flue balloons yet. But if they dont cost to much, I may go that route.

Backwoods Savage said:

We've never had the problem but know some others who have. My suggestion is to write a note to yourself and tie it right to the firebox door latch so that you have to read the note when you open the firebox door. It is sort of an insurance thing like when folks have an RV. They put a note or something on the steering wheel to remind to crank that antenna down before hauling it down the road.

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+1
I put my note in the stove on an pillow wrapped in plastic right after I clean it for the summer.
"PULL THE CHIMNEY PLUG ?"
Worked so far.
I may need a note soon that says "also; remove the pillow from the stove" :lol:

bogydave said:

Backwoods Savage said:

We've never had the problem but know some others who have. My suggestion is to write a note to yourself and tie it right to the firebox door latch so that you have to read the note when you open the firebox door. It is sort of an insurance thing like when folks have an RV. They put a note or something on the steering wheel to remind to crank that antenna down before hauling it down the road.

Click to expand...

+1
I put my note in the stove on an pillow wrapped in plastic right after I clean it for the summer.
"PULL THE CHIMNEY PLUG ?"
Worked so far.
I may need a note soon that says "also; remove the pillow from the stove" :lol:

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great idea with the pillow, i should try that one out.

I dont plug when not in use, but one time I managed to plug it during use! I am sure glad those days are over!

Jason

I did an OAK which really was removing the ash dump door and putting on a varmit screen...I plan on closing the door to the ash cleanout once the season is over...Hope I remember, maybe I should tie on a reminder too....