Newbie Fisher stove question

[Frankgarrett]

Forgive me this might be a dumb question I’m new but this stove has a opening in the back as well as the top . Do I need to plug it or is it supposed to stay open ? We bought a house and the previous owner left it in a shop outside .
Thanks

 

[begreen]

It must be capped.

 

[coaly]

Cap the back opening. It is an intake for a barometric damper. Notice the air box inside that is open to the back and open pointing up. The barometric damper opens allowing indoor air up chimney to slow draft by cooling exhaust gasses. This works as an automatic damper, used exclusively for coal stoves now. During a chimney fire the damper would open the flap allowing indoor air into chimney to slow draft. But with a fire on the wrong side, inside chimney flue this would feed oxygen to the chimney fire. Coal stoves do not produce flammable creosote like wood. 8 inch pipe cap, 3 screws. Only vent out the top.