Question about snout install through chimney.

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

Tdognc

New Member
Dec 24, 2025
1
N.C.
Hello,

My wife and I are looking to have a new BK installed for our chimney. The previous owners had an old Buck stove that was drafting excessively, had signs of over firing, and the space it was in wasn't up code so we decided to renovate the entire space at the same time. The BK sits higher than the buck stove so the old hole will have to be patched and a new hole will have to be drilled above it, but due to the renovations the chimney now sits off center to the left of the alcove it will be in. I was wondering if it would be possible to drill through the brick at an angle to have one end of the hole line up with the inside of the chimney while the outer portion lines up with the center of the alcove (offset on the right of the chimney). Would this even be possible, or would I just have to have the hole exiting the center of the chimney wall and be offset to the left in the alcove (we plan to tile over the surrounding walls so the chimney would not be visible at all). I have attached a photo of the space with a rough sketch overlaid and a crude diagram if that helps.

Thanks,

Tdognc

[Hearth.com] Question about snout install through chimney.
[Hearth.com] Question about snout install through chimney.
 
First, make sure the chimney is safe, clean, and the liner appropriately sized for the new stove. If it is, I would not move the thimble, especially if the draft is relatively strong. The offset is fine, it may helpin slowing down the draft a little.
 
Angling the snout to have a longer length in the wall would significantly weaken the wall.
What does that wall hold up?
 
Angling the snout to have a longer length in the wall would significantly weaken the wall.
What does that wall hold up?
Yes, and if the flue tile is rectangular clay and not a stainless liner, then hitting it on the corner would be a big can-o-worms.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stoveliker