I've been getting by OK with my stubby little 11' chimney, but getting tired of fighting with draft issues, dirty glass,etc. So I've decided to bite the bullet and add a section of class A and add roof braces. I have no manual for my stove and internet searches for ideal chimney height are very vague. With a very low pitched roof, I will have to add braces regardless. So any ideas on how much higher to go? I read on another post to try just jamming a piece of single wall on top and experimenting, but I think that the insulated class A would have different characteristics.
How much chimney to add?
- Thread starter Trktrd
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Just got off the phone with the local dealer and was told to follow the 10/2 rule on height above the roof. Other than that chimey height on a cat stove doesn't matter. So that's what I'm dealing with around here. Depending on the wisdom of the Hearth.com magi to solve this one.
SlyFerret
Minister of Fire
A piece of single wall would give you an approximation of how the system will perform. It should only be temporary.
How well does your chimney meet the 10-2-3 rule?
Is it near the peak of the roof, or near the low edge?
-SF
How well does your chimney meet the 10-2-3 rule?
Is it near the peak of the roof, or near the low edge?
-SF
According to the dealer 15" is sufficient. Anyhow, I added a 2' piece of single wall and reloaded. Made a noticable difference. No smoke out of the stove when I opened the door and I was able to close it right away without the flames going out. Usually have to leave the door open for a bit before it will sustain itself.
Grisu
Minister of Fire
I think those 15 ft are pretty arbitrary. We all know how many variables other than chimney length are going into a good draft: outside temp, stove temp, airsealing of the house, wood quality etc. Heck, even running the bathroom fan can sometimes throw off the draft. Given your location, I would have guessed that 11 ft are too short. Great that just adding 2 ft helps so much. My PE Super has great draft with just 13 ft of flue but the temperatures here are a bit different.
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
Trktrd said:
Having or not having a cat in the stove makes no difference with a chimney. You have only 11' but are there any elbows in the flue? If so, each 90 degree you can figure about 2-3' less than what you have now. So if only two 90 degree bends, you effectively have a 5-7' chimney!
It is true that sometimes you can get by with shorter chimneys but it sounds as if another 4' section would be ideal for you. It is good to add some single wall for a test and then get the right stuff up there.
15 ft is a guide line they use, that would be straight up pipe, a starting point to build on if you have to. My summit still does not have the top end others do and I have 21 ft overall straight up chimney in the house only 6 ft exposed outside.
Well I picked up a piece of 2' class A yesterday and now have a total of 13' 8"straight up. Working better than I would have ever expected. Didn't even have to reload the stove at 4 AM. Burned all night without a problem and the glass is a heck of alot cleamer. Very pleased with it now. Thanks for all the input.
SlyFerret
Minister of Fire
It is amazing how such a seemingly minor change can make a world if difference.
That 2 feet will completely change your experience burning this year!
-SF
That 2 feet will completely change your experience burning this year!
-SF
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