6" vs 8" Chimney/Stovepipe/Stove exit

[Dan R-M]

Hey All,
Well, I got a second opinion on our block chimney, and it didn't directly contradict the first (which was that an 8" flue liner wouldn't fit in). But the second professional said a 6" liner would fit fine. I'm new to this, or I would have asked the first guy that. The chimney needs repairs above the roof line, so it's possible the first fellow just didn't want to mess with that aspect.
So 6" flue with some chimney repairs, which'll be around $2,100 total.
Then yesterday I came across a ~15 year-old VC Encore for sale, $800. Chipped up enamel here and there, but looks fine by my eye. As you all probably know, it has a funky, funky oval exit that I assume ends up as an 8" post-adaptor.
Which leads to my overall need for an education here.
Is there any recent trend to 6" or 8" in modern stoves, or is it just a matter of size and draw requirements for individual stoves? Though I imagine it's fine to got from 6" exit to 8" flue, it sounds like a bad idea to go from an 8" exit to a 6" flue. Is that right?
And, am I seriously limiting my prospects by putting a 6" liner in the chimney? 'Cause the options, as I see it, are 1) get this chimney fixed up and operable with a 6" flue or 2) put an 8" flue out the wall and up the side of the house then, at some later date when we know what we want from the house, put up a new block chimney that could accommodate three pipes - stove for basement, cookstove in kitchen, and woodstove somewhere else.
Ambitious, huh? We may not do all of that, but you get the idea.
What do you think?

 

[Excavator]

The VC Encore is rated to be fine with 6 inch if the DOORS ARE KEPT CLOSED.
If doors are open you must have 8 inch
I never burn my Encore with doors closed. It is just not efficient to burn it that way so you will be fine

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I don't think you are limiting yourself one bit going with a 6" flue. Most stoves are 6".

Which ever size you choose, stick with the size of your stove's flue. There is a huge difference between the area of a 6" and 8" flue.

$800 will buy you a very nice new stove that has a warranty.

 

[branchburner]

Most stoves these days are 6", and perform best with that size flue. Although they CAN feed into an 8" flue, many (like mine) would likely not draft correctly for optimal secondary combustion. (And you are correct, in general it is not good to feed an 8" stove into a 6" flue.)

I believe you would in fact limit yourself to a greater degree by going with an 8" flue. To my mind, 6" is the way to go for the most/best options. BTW, I personally don't think a 15 year-old VC Encore for $800 is any great bargain. Search the forum for details on this stove, or start a fresh thread for more input.

 

[Dan R-M]

Thanks for your responses - we've got sooo many choices ahead of us, it's great to have some help narrowing things down.

 

[begreen]

Examine that Encore with a VERY critical eye if you are still considering it. In particular look hard for signs of overfiring and interior parts deterioration. These are complex stoves that can be costly to rebuild.

 

[Excavator]

Examine that Encore with a VERY critical eye if you are still considering it. In particular look hard for signs of overfiring and interior parts deterioration. These are complex stoves that can be costly to rebuild.

I agree, Even try to open and close the damper, move the air supply handle a few times, look at the upper and lower fireback panels for warped and cracked. The parts are available and are expensive. That being said, I just rebuilt my 1989 Defiant Encore 0028 2 months ago and had to replace the complete upper and lower fireback kit with new refractory at ( 550 dollars plus 200 dollars for new cat and did gaskets. It now performs like new but you have too check it over good for that price

 

[madison]

agree with branchburner - only thing to add, first pick the stove or insert - and then use the recommended diameter stovepipe.

Off the top of my head and I could be wrong, I believe the Blaze Kings are 8" but otherwise think most others are 6".

 

[semipro]

As with many things, bigger is not always better. This applies to flues whether you're talking diameter (cross sectional area) or length.
Most stoves work optimally or adequately with a 6" diameter flue. Go with the 6" liner and buy a stove that will work with.

Used an Encore for a year once in a rental place and loved it. The thermostatic control was very nice. That said, heed the warnings here about expensive rebuilds. If you're a newbie you may be better off going with a less complex unit.

 

[Dan R-M]

Given what I'm reading here, I feel good going with the 6" pipe in existing chimney and going without the Encore. I don't know if there's a real benefit to it (having read an article about better draft in central chimneys) but I much prefer the aesthetics of a flue buried in the chimney, rather than the lone pipe going up the outside. If I get the choice, which it looks like I will.
Boy, those PE's sure do look nice! Out of our range for now, but something to set sites on.
It sure is a challenge facing the masses of stoves out there. Wish us luck . This week I'm going to immerse myself in the "Which new stove to buy" primer at the head of this forum.