Bad to ovalize stainless steel liner for Woodstock Fireview?

[dreezon]

My flue opening is about 5 and 3/4". Woodstock says you can ovalize the pipe to get it through a hole like that, but does that cause any problems? I think I should have good draw with a 30-foot masonry chimney in the middle of my house, but does ovalizing tend to choke off the draw or cause other problems.

The damper sits in a steel frame, which would not be fun to remove, so I'm hoping that won't be necessary.

Also, does anyone know... does the insulation start just above the flue opening?

 

[DAKSY]

You probably will not have a problem with draft because of the ovalizing.
We install em that ALL the time without issues.
If you're going to insulate - instead of a block-off plate - jam it in all around the liner
just above the damper frame - AFTER you remove the Kraft facing...

 

[Vic99]

My centrally located ~ 28 ft chimney twists ~45 degrees twice near the fireplace entrance. One dealer told me that there was no way they were going to get a 6 inch liner in there. I hired a mason to line my chimney and it is essentially ovalized for about 2-3 feet. Liner is insulated as well. My draft is actually too strong.

Good luck.

 

[Todd]

The only problem I would for see is pushing a 6" brush through the ovalized section, but you could always trim a 6" brush to fit. Draft should be fine. You should be ok starting your insulation wrap above the damper.

 

[dreezon]

You probably will not have a problem with draft because of the ovalizing.
We install em that ALL the time without issues.
If you're going to insulate - instead of a block-off plate - jam it in all around the liner
just above the damper frame - AFTER you remove the Kraft facing...

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

Regarding the removal of the Kraft, I assume you mean from the insulation batts? What kind of insulation is OK to use? I am using the insulation that Woodstock specified and sells to wrap the flexible liner, but I gather you're talking about some additional batting to keep the cold chimney air from flowing into my living room. Are you saying a block-off plate is unnecessary if I stuff some insulation in?

Thanks.