PE Vista side knock-out

[Johnny]

Hi, all.

I have a question about my PE vista.

It is burning alright (I guess), but I've noticed that the side knock-outs should be removed if it's using room air.

I was watching the installation,(2 weeks ago) but the installer didn't knock them out. I moved the unit to front a little bit to see the side yesterday and there is no hole on both sides.

Can anyone describe what it should look like? Are those knocked out holes very visible? Can I knock them out by myself using screwdriver and a hammer?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[PAJerry]

Is it an insert or freestanding unit?

 

[begreen]

You may need to completely remove the surround. This is from page 9 of the manual:

 

[Johnny]

It is an insert. I just called the dealer and he said the installer is an expert and the knock outs don't have to be removed as long as the unit burns well cause once the knock outs removed, there is no way putting back them in.

I have no other experience about wood stove. Can anyone tell me possilbe problems or symptom when the knock outs aren't removed?

 

[Hogwildz]

Expert is a matter of opinion. The manual is the manufacturers wisdom.
I would go with the manual.
If you follow the manual, and for some reason need to close the holes back off, it is only a sheetmetal casing, you can patch them over with sheetmetal and some screws.
Even silicone would hold patch in place

 

[begreen]

Expert: '/ekˌspərt/': X is the unknown factor and a spurt is a drip under pressure.

I think you can trust PE to know a bit more about your stove than the dealer. The knockout is supposed to be removed if no outside air connection. In the unlikely event of a change where the stove needed outside air one could easily pop-rivet a plate to cover the hole.

 

[Woody Stover]

Expert: '/ekˌspərt/':

Ex-pert. He used to be one, before his mind went... But seriously, wouldn't it work about the same? Or maybe it breathes easier with them removed? I'd have to see it in person to make an unqualified amateur guess.

 

[Johnny]

I called the dealler again and the other agent told me that if I remove it when the unit burns well, I may end up with over drafting. He said that if that occurs, it will burn too fast even I close the air supply lever.

I think the manual doesn't say "may remove knock outs", so I better get them removed. But like I said, I really don't know whether my unit burns well or not. (It's hot when I burn wood... That's all I can say now)

I wanted to ask PE, but their website doesn't have any phone number. I left the memo through web mail.

Do you have any other suggestion?

 

[begreen]

This is the first time I have heard anyone make such claims. This insert has regulation of both the primary and secondary air with the air control. Do you have a thermometer on the stove front? We can't see your burn without pictures or a video. That makes is hard to judge. Is there something unusual about this installation? Do you have an exceptionally tall chimney liner?

Start a conversation with Tom thechimneysweep . He knows more about PE stoves than almost anyone.

 

[skinanbones]

their is no way that the unit can over draft with those knock out removed as you are still in control of the amount of air going into the firebox using the air slider under the ash lip.

 

[Johnny]

Thank you. I will try to have some pics ie videos tonight.

He house is a ranch, so the chimney is relatively short compare to two story house.

I will reach out to Tom.

 

[Woody Stover]

This is the first time I have heard anyone make such claims.

But they are expert professionals! OK, I've beaten this dead horse enough lately, but it's a sad state of affairs. Maybe, as you say, there are other factors we don't know about...but I doubt it.

 

[begreen]

Thank you. I will try to have some pics ie videos tonight.

He house is a ranch, so the chimney is relatively short compare to two story house.

I will reach out to Tom.

With a ranch chimney that stove will not runaway. It is a particularly controllable stove for a non-cat due to the linked secondary. Good choice.

 

[Johnny]

Ok, I got some vids. I did a cold start and this is after 1 hour burning.

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This is after 1.5 hour. I guess this is what you call 'secondary combustion'?

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How does it look?

 

[Hogwildz]

I called the dealler again and the other agent told me that if I remove it when the unit burns well, I may end up with over drafting. He said that if that occurs, it will burn too fast even I close the air supply lever.

I think the manual doesn't say "may remove knock outs", so I better get them removed. But like I said, I really don't know whether my unit burns well or not. (It's hot when I burn wood... That's all I can say now)

I wanted to ask PE, but their website doesn't have any phone number. I left the memo through web mail.

Do you have any other suggestion?

Your dealer is an unknowledgeable moron who knows how to sell an insert, but that seems to be all he knows about. Ain't no way in hell it can ever overdraft from taking knocking the plates out. The air is controlled by the damn lever, not the case holes. The plates are intended to be left in place if outside air is used, all it is doing without outside air kit being used is blocking inside air that should be getting to the insert to burn correctly, when not using outside air. If you feel it is burning good, then let it be. Just means the air is being pulled from somewhere else.
You have been given good advise, the rest is up to you as to what you choose to do.

 

[BurningBrutus]

How high is your fan setting?

 

[PAJerry]

The burn looks normal for the stove. Do you have a plate in the bottom of your fireplace for an ash drop to the basement? That is how mine was and the knockout was not removed and the stove draws air from the basement. This eliminates any cold air drafts in the room that I have seen some complain about when using room air for combustion. Another thing I have learned about this little stove (had it since 2006) is that standard splits are poor burning unless made smaller in diameter. I use slab wood cut to 14-16" lengths that is available from a local supplier for MUCH less than cord wood. It burns the best for me, though you lose some burn time, but the heat output is much better.

 

[Johnny]

@BurningBrutus - fan is about 80%.(automatically starting) When I put it to max, The fan is bit too noisy and makes clicking noise with the hearth stone. (I think I can shim it, but I am OK with this setting)
@PAJerry - The ash drop to the basement was not covered. No plate and previous ash dump door was removed.

I took pictures of both sides of the unit this morning. I guess the knock outs are in the metal casing? I don't see any indentation or punched slit.

 

[begreen]

Ah, solved the mystery. Looks like PE made a change this year, similar to their larger stoves. There are new instructions in the 2014 manual, no more knockout. You can now easily make this change yourself from the front of the insert.

 

[BurningBrutus]

Not to get off subject, but as i learned here, if you go low and slow with your fan you will see it being a lot hotter, for me i put my fan on the automatic setting at about 30% power, and just keep it there. I see at least a 3 or 4 degrees hotter in my room from this. You should at least try it and see how it works for yourself.

 

[Johnny]

@begreen - Thank you. You really saved me. =) It is odd why they gave me the old manual, though.
@BurningBrutus - I'm a big time newbee, so I appreciate any advice on the stove. The only reason I use the blower is to push hot air to the corridor. Without the blower, the hot air stays in the living room. I found that other rooms get warm with the blower.(Doors are about 25ft straight away from the stove) I thought I can use some other fans to circulate air, but my wife doesn't like putting big fans on the floor or spend money on small fans cause she's happy with the blower.

 

[begreen]

Johnny I suspect within a month or less you will know more about your stove than the dealer. Some dealers and their sales staff are full of bluff and bluster. Hang out here and we'll try to guide you safely. Don't be shy in asking questions. Re: Blower use, leave it on auto at a low speed. It will help keep the stove body cooler and will protect it during a very robust burn.

 

[Johnny]

@begreen - I've been reading through stuff here for last few days and learned a lot already. The blower control is the opposite to what I heard at the dealer... LOL. He told me to put it to max during the night to circulate the warmed air in the house. I think I'm gonna do quite opposite what he told me from now on.

 

[begreen]

He probably wants you to burn out the motor faster. LOL. Max is too loud and really unnecessary unless you are trying to cool down the stove. I find about 30% is just fine and much quieter.

 

[Hogwildz]

Mine runs max on manual all winter, except for reloads.