Thermocrete

[131]

Last year i had a VC Encore installed in my home. They installed it with a 6" pipe going into an old unlined chimney(the installers put a 6" liner down the chimney). We've been through one winter and the stove worked great. No issues at all and the cat/non-cat option worked well.

For a VC Encore to be able to be burned with the doors open and the screen in place it calls for an 8" pipe. I asked my installers if we could do this, since my wife and I want to be able to use it as a fireplace sometimes. They said that the chimney was too narrow to try to put an 8' liner in. However, they said perhaps i should look into getting the chimney covered with thermocrete and directly venting the stove into the chimney.

I've read on several sites that this is ok and others say its not. Looking for some feedback. We want to convert to the 8" pipe so we can burn with the doors open.

 

[webby3650]

It seems like a huge expense and it may or may not work. Have you tried to run it with the doors open like it is?

 

[aansorge]

You wouldn't be burning it for long like that....maybe 1/2 hour shots? Just to enjoy the look and sound, right? You understand that doing this would drop your efficiency down to around 20 percent at best, right? I suppose the smart thing to do would to only do it on small loads or loads that are somewhat burned down ( if you decided to stick with the 6 inch liner).

 

[131]

We have tried to run it with the doors open and it actually draws ok but it back puffs a little. Since it back puffs we decided not to even try running it with the doors open.

Yes, we would only burn it like that for 1/2 hour or an hour at a time just to enjoy the sounds, etc. I'm fully aware that the effeciency drops dramatically but burning with the doors open is more of an atmosphere/ time to enjoy the stove.

I guess what im wondering is if anyone knows if its ok to have the pipe from the stove go directly into a chimney that has been thermocreted without any pipe or metal liner.

Thanks!

 

[webby3650]

Yes, it's ok. But it might not be any better.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

For most folks, the time spent viewing the flames (and hearing any sound it might make) is a very small amount of time. I would definitely question the expense. After a while you very well might find that you rarely even look at the fire but certainly do enjoy the heat.

 

[webby3650]

After a while you very well might find that you rarely even look at the fire but certainly do enjoy the heat.

I enjoy the heat, and I look at the fire all the time. To me it's kinda the best part, that's why the BK wasn't doin it for me.
That being said, the best looking fire is viewed through the glass, the fire is much more interesting to watch than an open flame.

You could likely get a prettier burning stove for the cost of the theromcrete, problem solved.

 

[begreen]

For most folks, the time spent viewing the flames (and hearing any sound it might make) is a very small amount of time. I would definitely question the expense. After a while you very well might find that you rarely even look at the fire but certainly do enjoy the heat.

I can't agree with that. Man has been transfixed by flame since caveman days. Folks like to view a fire. Otherwise there would be very new few fireplaces being sold and installed. It's why the glass on new stoves keep getting larger. It's why campfires are still very much appreciated. It's why Woodstock updated the Classic and named it the "Fireview". Personally I like watching the fire at night better than watching tv.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

No need to agree or disagree. In a full day it still usually amounts to a small amount of time. For us, we watch the fire very, very little but perhaps it has something to do with how long we've burned wood. Not saying I don't like seeing the flames but we just don't sit there and watch it but surely enjoy the heat. And personally, I don't watch tv either.

 

[alforit]

No need to agree or disagree. In a full day it still usually amounts to a small amount of time. For us, we watch the fire very, very little but perhaps it has something to do with how long we've burned wood. Not saying I don't like seeing the flames but we just don't sit there and watch it but surely enjoy the heat. And personally, I don't watch tv either.

Same here, NO need for a lot of flame time.................the heat from the stove is what really matters to me.........Still amazes me how much nicer the heat feels from a wood stove.