After searching the forum and gathering helpful hints from here and there, I would like to confirm that I have draft issues with someone besides the guy who installed the stove.
I just bought a Vermont Castings Defiant 1975 catalytic stove in brown enamel. A really nice stove. Unfortunately, I don't think the guy who installed it is a certified dealer(we got him through the contractor), and I am not sure he knows what he is doing despite his assurance that he has 25 years experience. I tried to contact VC directly, but all they have to say is talk to your dealer, this is why I am here.
6" double walled pipe was used. The book says I need 16' of draft. After essentially begging him to put more pipe on, he has installed another 3' double walled for a grand total of 13.5' of pipe height. He says this is sufficient. There are two 90 degree bends in the pipe to bring that effective total down to 3.5'. It did seem to make it a little better, though.
He told me to run with the ash pan open.(not happening) and then completely told me the opposite the following week.
The wood I have been using is three year old seasoned wood that does not feel wet or look it when I chop it small. (no meter)
I admit it has been 50 to 60F outside when lighting.
Symptoms:
I cant seem to open the top door or even the front doors more than says 4" or so without smoke rolling into the room. I have to quickly open and shut the doors to minimize the smoke that gets into the room and only load smaller pieces. (I have tried doing it slowly as well, same)
Going to catalytic mode has given me mixed results, twice it has burned for a really long time, 14 hours plus without loading, a couple other times it has just gone out. Catalytic was engaged at 600F top griddle temperature and will dip below shortly after.
The doors blacken up no matter what kind wood I put into it. (I have old and new)
The fire burns brightly if I open the ash pan or front doors a crack. But will produce no flame if they are closed. Only coals.
Using the damper control does essentially nothing.
If there is no fire there is always a constant down draft, which I think may have contributed to the next one...
I had a fire the other night, I buttoned it up in catalytic mode. It burned all night and stayed warm all day without loading it. I then opened the flue up to bypass the cat and let it all go up the chimney because it was way too cold for the cat. At about 4 am or so, the entire house filled with smoke despite not filling it for a day.
The stove pipe is not exactly level where it flattens out. It actually pitches up back to the stove a little, instead of up the chimney.
From what I figure, I should be able to open the doors wide and have no smoke come into the house, or maybe a whisp. Not rolls of smoke coming in. The only real experience I have with stoves is the old one we had as a kid. The name of it was "Airtight" but it was anything but. That thing was awesome and would get us roasty toasty warm, and I could load it without smoking up the house. I also had a pellet stove in more recent times.
I have done a lot of searching on these forums. Educating myself and I think I have determined the draft is the issue. Have been building the fires the way I am supposed to. Been trying little fires as well as packing it full.
I apologize if I am repeating posts. I would just like a little assurance that I am pushing this guy in the right direction and make sure I am not being the jerk by not doing it right. I guess what I am asking is if this stove makes my butt look big? And also does it sound like I have draft issues?
I just bought a Vermont Castings Defiant 1975 catalytic stove in brown enamel. A really nice stove. Unfortunately, I don't think the guy who installed it is a certified dealer(we got him through the contractor), and I am not sure he knows what he is doing despite his assurance that he has 25 years experience. I tried to contact VC directly, but all they have to say is talk to your dealer, this is why I am here.
6" double walled pipe was used. The book says I need 16' of draft. After essentially begging him to put more pipe on, he has installed another 3' double walled for a grand total of 13.5' of pipe height. He says this is sufficient. There are two 90 degree bends in the pipe to bring that effective total down to 3.5'. It did seem to make it a little better, though.
He told me to run with the ash pan open.(not happening) and then completely told me the opposite the following week.
The wood I have been using is three year old seasoned wood that does not feel wet or look it when I chop it small. (no meter)
I admit it has been 50 to 60F outside when lighting.
Symptoms:
I cant seem to open the top door or even the front doors more than says 4" or so without smoke rolling into the room. I have to quickly open and shut the doors to minimize the smoke that gets into the room and only load smaller pieces. (I have tried doing it slowly as well, same)
Going to catalytic mode has given me mixed results, twice it has burned for a really long time, 14 hours plus without loading, a couple other times it has just gone out. Catalytic was engaged at 600F top griddle temperature and will dip below shortly after.
The doors blacken up no matter what kind wood I put into it. (I have old and new)
The fire burns brightly if I open the ash pan or front doors a crack. But will produce no flame if they are closed. Only coals.
Using the damper control does essentially nothing.
If there is no fire there is always a constant down draft, which I think may have contributed to the next one...
I had a fire the other night, I buttoned it up in catalytic mode. It burned all night and stayed warm all day without loading it. I then opened the flue up to bypass the cat and let it all go up the chimney because it was way too cold for the cat. At about 4 am or so, the entire house filled with smoke despite not filling it for a day.
The stove pipe is not exactly level where it flattens out. It actually pitches up back to the stove a little, instead of up the chimney.
From what I figure, I should be able to open the doors wide and have no smoke come into the house, or maybe a whisp. Not rolls of smoke coming in. The only real experience I have with stoves is the old one we had as a kid. The name of it was "Airtight" but it was anything but. That thing was awesome and would get us roasty toasty warm, and I could load it without smoking up the house. I also had a pellet stove in more recent times.
I have done a lot of searching on these forums. Educating myself and I think I have determined the draft is the issue. Have been building the fires the way I am supposed to. Been trying little fires as well as packing it full.
I apologize if I am repeating posts. I would just like a little assurance that I am pushing this guy in the right direction and make sure I am not being the jerk by not doing it right. I guess what I am asking is if this stove makes my butt look big? And also does it sound like I have draft issues?
