Best chimney cowl to prevent fast log burns in high winds?

[FionaD]

Hi guys,

Actually, I think I need counselling really... I am starting to distrust every trades person who's advice I seek. 10 out of 10 times in the past year I have been sold the wrong thing, things haven't been fixed, or things have been really badly done... Anyway, this growing mistrust makes me come here to ask you honest and impartial stove lovers a question....

I got my first stove a month ago and am loving it. For the first 10 days I was burning we had truly wild winds here (it was a steep learning curve!) and I noticed that my log consumption was huge. Now the winds have died back I'm burning half as many, thank God. So - I went to the folks who installed my stove to ask if they could recommend a cowl that would stop the fast log burns in a high wind... I'm on a hill, so they can happen often. They said they could provide the perfect thing and they fitted it today...

What they fitted is one of these - (broken link removed to http://www.madcowls.co.uk/Mad_Spinner_Cowls.htm) Is this the right thing do you think? What I've googled about this kind of cowl seems to suggest (in my understanding anyway) that these cowls increase burn if anything at all...

Help! Please tell me I'm wrong and the installers are right!

I used to be Pollyanna.....I'm turning into such a cynic these days.,please cure me!,

 

[begreen]

I fear you are correct. This is a draft booster, not a wind blocker. It is definitely not what you want. See if this product is sold across the pond:
http://www.amazon.com/Vacu-Stack-Re...ted-Chimney/dp/B0013KY06G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_4

If not, this one appears to at least have a wind blocking skirt
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/wood_burning_stoves/Chimney-Cowls.html

or this?
http://www.flue-liner.com/Chimney_System/6_inch/Anti-wind_Cowl_Ø_150/ETW-6-AWC.html

 

[mellow]

(broken image removed)

Everyone laughs when I post this but it works.

(broken link removed to http://www.rockfordchimneysupply.com/chimney-caps.php)

 

[begreen]

Can ye get a cowl like that in Scotland?

 

[FionaD]

First thing on my list to get is my broadsword off the wall,,, I've truly had it with this company. I can't believe they have fitted the very opposite of what I asked for.

 

[begreen]

Ayee, they'd better close up their kilts!

 

[Bub381]

The cowl that spins with the wind I would think could creosote up for some burners and lock up and actually shoot ya a lot of wind if it were facing backwards.I'd take the 1 that looks like ribbon for $126.00.I need 1 actually and am buying 1 to be truthful.That Purdy shiny 1.

 

[rideau]

Would a simple damper in your flue work?

The appliance they did install is only rated to 50 mph....I'm guessing you get gusts and even winds stronger than that?

 

[Nick Mystic]

Did you read in the description at the web site that it was recommended that the cap be removed and sent back to the company once a year for cleaning and servicing to assure proper operation? That would be convenient, wouldn't it?

 

[BrotherBart]

Did you read in the description at the web site that it was recommended that the cap be removed and sent back to the company once a year for cleaning and servicing to assure proper operation? That would be convenient, wouldn't it?

Kinda like chimney liner warranties. Have to be professionally cleaned yearly. And his name has to be Samuel. Or the warranty is void.

 

[FionaD]

Don't think a damper would be the answer for me..
A - because they seem to not recommended with what EPA stoves as they're called in the US. And do you know, I'm not even sure if we have them over here...
B - because my flue is inside a stone chimney, inside a very thick stone wal

You're dead right about the more than 50 mph winds tho!

Not sure about the purdy shiny one... I think there's something over here like that called a Wind Kat.. But I'd need to ask more about it, as they seem to be talking on their site mostly about no down drafts and improved draw...

For now, the purdy, shiny Whirling Claymore is the best solution for me I think .. I'm pretty sure that model isn't available in the US... Sure you'll have your own version of it tho

I think most of the other ones you've recommended are available over here, except maybe the origami one (I bet it works too!)... I'll do a search.. Think I might also contact the UK master chimney sweeps assoc. see what they advise... Although by the sound of them, their approach might involve sending a skinny urchin up my chimney - not sure id like that...

 

[mellow]

If all else fails you could get a Fluecube and let us know if it works: (broken link removed)

 

[FionaD]

Flue cube seems to be more down draft orientated as far as I can see.. I will speak to them tho and pass on anything interesting. The log saving part is intriguing for someone like me who has become obsessed with burn times

On the plus side, I got the Cowl of Doom taken off this afternoon, got a refund, then found a replacement myself and put it on, it's actually the one on your 2nd link, BeGreen. Let's see how that performs in the next high winds. The installers were maintaining their stance that the spinner was the right cowl... So I forwarded the email to them that I'd received an hour before from the owner of the company that makes the cowl, saying that, at best it would increase updraft and at worst, in strong winds, it might cause overfire and possibly a chimney fire too... I confess I felt smug... That trump card felt like being in the scene in 'Annie Hall' when Woody Allen pulls Marshal McLuhan out from behind a pot plant to win his argument, then turns to the camera and says, "wouldn't it be great if life was really like this?"

Sometimes it is....