P.E Summit insert getting no air

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Splittah

New Member
Oct 20, 2013
8
Dunstable, MA.
Just installed a P.E. summit insert. Got a good fire going with the door cracked for about 15 minutes. Shut the door put the lever to High and sat down. When I looked back at the fire it was out. opened the door and poof room filled with smoke and flames shot out the door. [back draft]. This unit was manufactured in 06. I bought it unused from a dealer this weekend.It was a display model. I have it some what apart now. Any suggestions.
I will call the dealer if need be. I was hoping it might be an easy fix.
 
lots of questions to be answered first:

wood cut, split stacked for atleast a year(depends of species)?

inside or outside chimney?

do you have stainless steal liner connected to your insert?

length of liner/chimney?

And we love pix, they speak alot!
 
sounds like wood problem. put it back together, head to the grocery store and buy a bundle of kiln dried wood. see if you have the same problem.
 
Not a wood problem , I am burning red oak Hard wood flooring.. I am waiting for my liner so I stuck it in to burn off the paint fumes. After blowing air in it and figuring out how it works, I think fresh air is going up the chimney with the smoke. I am going to stick a stove pipe past the smoke shelf and insulate around it.
 
The lack of liner seems to be the problem...are you just gonna use the stove pipe temporarily or is this going to be permanent?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sons924
Lack of a liner and block off plate was the problem, The air in take is in the back. I thought it was in the front. Put a temporary stove pipe and insulated. It is cranking out the heat now. Put the intake down to 1/3 and works fine. Liner should be here this week.
Thanks for responses
 
The air in take is in the back. I thought it was in the front.

My Summit Insert (mfd this year) has the air intake in the front. But you have to remove a part to have it that way. The default set up (I think it's true for the older models also) is to have the air intake from inside the fireplace through the ashpit. If you aren't using a fireplace floor ashpit for air, you're supposed to modify the Summit to bring air in through the front. (I know the modification is different on the older model, but with mine, I had to remove what's called an airbox.)

Might want to check your manual.
 
Thanks Dave. I know the piece your talking about, I took it off and put it back on It makes sense to remove and I will.
 
That model has a 4" knock out on the right side casing.
Running that thing the way you have it is really not advisable, but it is your & yours health and house at risk.
That was one of the year models with cracking issues. Make sure not to over fire and keep an eye on the welds around the front inner & door, and the face.
 
The owners manual stated I can vent this insert this way "Positive Flue Connection(In U.S.A. only)" They do highlight that they recommend the use of a liner.The stove pipe is 2 feet above the roxul insulation, which is good until 1177 degrees. Hopefully the liner that was suppose to be here last week gets here this week. It has been steady at 400 degrees for the last 4 hours.
 
Not gonna beat a dead horse, but that Roxul, does not constitute a block off plate, which is what that type of install calls for.
That Roxul is the only thing separating noxious gas and fire hazards from the flue to the house.
I ain't trying to preach, do what you got to do, just be weary.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.