Black glass and the solution

[silverfox103]

I have two Harman stoves, a P68 and a P38. The P68 is the primary and the P38 heats a back corner of the house when needed. I keep them clean and up to stuff.

On the P38 I noticed the glass was getting black. It completely blocked you from seeing the flame. It covered about 3/4 of the glass. I cleaned it twice thoroughly within the last 10 days--no change. I also noticed that I could see a little bit of smoke swirling on the inside. I knew something still wasn't right. I cleaned the probe and checked the cleanout, which had next to nothing in it. Still no change. The vent pipe is very short, less than 3 feet as it goes straight out. The stove is on the first floor, but property drops down, so it is actually up one level.

I looked outside the vent is puffing looking normal.

I decided I'll go out and take a look. As soon as I looked at the end cone, I saw the problem. On the end cone there is screen with 1 inch cells. It was plugged just on the screen. Probably with the moisture and ash, it just plugged up. I'm guessing 3/4 of the area was shut off. I got an old tooth brush and cleaned it. Problem solved, no more black glass.

I thought about cutting that screen out, but I guess it keeps birds and squirrels out.


Tom C.

 

[Mr. Spock]

Suppose you could replace with a coarser screen. Shouldn't take much to keep the animals out. Cover in the summer to keep the nest builders out.

 

[silverfox103]

Suppose you could replace with a coarser screen. Shouldn't take much to keep the animals out. Cover in the summer to keep the nest builders out.

I probably could do that, but I think I'll just put it on the cleaning regiment. Plus, I park the cars right in that area, so I can keep a eye on it.

Tom C.

 

[mepellet]

Yup. The screen clogs up quick. I took mine right off. No birds are going to go into the venting during the winter when the stove is running. And I got a pipe cap that fits snug to use during the summer to plug it up. No use for the screen any more.

 

[silverfox103]

I think I'll leave mine on and just keep an eye on it. If I took the screen off, birds may try to find a home on the beginning and end of the burning season.

Tom C.

 

[New Hampshire Jim]

Take screen off. Purchase a fake OWL and hang It from a string so It swings In the breeze. Problem Solved

 

[silverfox103]

Take screen off. Purchase a fake OWL and hang It from a string so It swings In the breeze. Problem Solved

Thanks Jim

I hadn't thought of that. I have 2 stoves, do you think I need 2 owls?

Tom

 

[Delta-T]

the screen will stop birds but not bees or wasp/hornet type things...and I see a whole lot more of those than birds in vents. I suggest placing some tinfoil over the vent in the off season, with a rubber band, and then write yourself a note that says "tinfoil on vent cap" and place that in the stove so you rememeber to remove it next heating season.

 

[silverfox103]

I will definitely be covering the vent this off season. Now that you mention it, I always have those mud wasp build nests real close to the vents.

thanks

Tom

 

[corkman]

lowes and home depot carry a 3" and 4" fernco cap.fits right over the pipe .comes with a clamp.easy peasy.

 

[silverfox103]

lowes and home depot carry a 3" and 4" fernco cap.fits right over the pipe .comes with a clamp.easy peasy.

I like easy.

thanks

Tom

 

[mepellet]

lowes and home depot carry a 3" and 4" fernco cap.fits right over the pipe .comes with a clamp.easy peasy.

or you can request a FREE sample from the following page:
(broken link removed to http://www.caplugs.com/productdetails.aspx?id=10000043&itemno=CE+SERIES)
just measure to figure out what cap you need. Model CE-322 fits the 4" Selkirk DT nicely!