I think you should try it without the cap on once.
I actually did for about 10 minutes. the girlfriend said it looked as if the flames got even smaller.
That chimney is just short for a EPA stove to draft properly in anything but bone busting cold weather.
Originally I totally was hoping this was the issue. however its height is exactly what the manufacturer calls for, AND I added 3 more feet and didn't get a sliver of a difference. I'm not going to say this CANT be my issue, but I sure can't seem to verify it is.
Thank you Blazing! So refreshing to hear, especially after hearing how unsafe I'm apparently being. I'm trying to do the best I can with the conditions I have. I'm just here hoping someone will spot something I haven't already questioned. Some people don't realize I have been trying my best to find the answer myself before I even came here. Either way I really appreciate the kind words
can't really tell from the video you posted. What was your impression, did the fire get more brisk with the air open?
My impression was that it didn't change at all. It did die down, but that was due to it being a piece of paper. I could record you guys a video of the same thing when its actually going, and opening and shutting the damper does nothing. Maybe if I can get it to proper operating temp it may, but with the puny little fire I have now, its useless.
As of now my next step is maybe more wood testing, and if that doesn't work, pulling the stove. I have spent mucho denero, and grown many grey hairs... I really want this to one day soon be worth the head and heartache.
thank you all for your suggestions! Keep em coming! =o)