Questions on having a stove installed

[CBBaron]

We are getting a new Quadrafire Yosemite stove installed in our fireplace. The installer came out Tuesday to do the install but could not get on to our roof due to weather (we have a slate roof). He did check out the fireplace and chimney and I asked some questions. I wanted to make sure I got everything done correctly we the installer comes back next week.

We are having a new 6" SS liner installed and the installer says he will seal the top of the chimney with a metal top and insulate around the top. I wanted him to also install a block off plate at the bottom, with some insulation if possible. He seemed surprised at this request. Is this request reasonable or suggested?

We checked all the clearances for the stove so I think we are OK there. The chimney is an interior masonry chimney in a 1920's home. We have been using the open fireplace on a few occasions. Are there any other questions or requests I should ask the installer?

Thanks for all you help.
Craig

 

[BrotherBart]

I burn a free standing stove in a fireplace and I say for sure that you need a block off plate to retain heat in the house instead of it warming the chimney and the great outdoors.

 

[jtp10181]

Get your chimney cleaned before installing that thing.

Also, the block off plates are not REQUIRED for most units when a full liner is run and the chimney is sealed at the top. Although for a free standing stove especially it is a good idea to help reflect the heat back inside of it going up the chimney into the masonry structure.

Technically the entire SS liner probably should have an insulation wrap around it from top to bottom. Does the existing chimney have a clay tile flue liner? Even if it does they are probably worn out in need of repair if it was built in the 1920's.

 

[CBBaron]

My installation has been delayed again.
First time they came out in a snow storm and decided it would be a little too fun to try to get on a slate roof in the snow.
This time they actually inspected the fireplace and chimney. Conclusion was that I had a rectangle, offset flue which would require an ovalized liner and alot of fun getting it to line up with the stove. In addition the mortar holding the granite surround is deteriorating and the granite slab is cracked.
They had neither the mortar needed nor the ovalized liner so nothing got accomplished.
I realize this job is alot more of a pain than the fireplace guys anticipated but I'm getting anxious to get my stove in before spring and I've already had to take off 2 half days from work.
I am glad I didn't decide to try this myself.

Sorry for the long rant I'm just frustrated about this install.

Craig

 

[firefirefire]

Like was said in the previous post a block off plate is not required for liners extending the full length of the chimney but I do always insulate around the liner with high temp insulation at both the damper opening above the firebox and the top of the chimney below the support plate to stop any air movement between. You also shouldn't need to wrap the liner in insulation so long as you have a decent clay liner system. If there is not a clay liner I would either use a double wall chimney liner, or mix and pour "thermix" insulation around the single wall ss liner. Chances are that if the chimney is small enough that they have to ovalize the liner there is no chance of wrapping the liner with insulation and having it survive the installation. Also double wall liner is also out at that point. I also always ovalize on site to be sure that I get the liner to the right size. Hope that helps.

 

[CBBaron]

Thanks for the comments.
The clay liner looks good for what I can see from the fireplace so there should be no problem there, especially since it is an interior chimney. The installer did agree to put insulation at the bottom as well as at the top but I am still going to push for a block off plate. I have seen demos of how much air can move through insulation when not backed with some kind of barrier. The block off plate just makes more sense to me.
The installers said they would have to get the ovalized liner, and it would take two days, so I am guessing they are not ovalizing on site. I do hope they get it correct. They were not able to directly measure the flue size so I am not sure what they were basing their sizes on.
Craig

 

[firefirefire]

.

 

[CBBaron]

Finally got the stove installed yesterday. The installation went smoothly and the stove looks great in our fireplace. I'll post pictures this evening when I get a chance to upload the pictures from the camera. I got a good fire going last night (the stove was a floor display so it had already been burned in). I warmed the large living room about 10 degrees above the rest of the house and threw enough heat up the stairs to prevent the heat from coming on until this morning. Weather last evening was in the mid 30's so not terribly cold but I felt the stove performed as expected.
I need to work on my fire starting as it took several attempts before I got a good fire going. I don't think it helps that I don't really have any kindling. I ran out to the hardware store and picked up some Fatwood. As soon as I lite a piece of the Fatwood the whole stove took off.
I'll probably burn the stove evenings and weekends for the next month. After that is is time to start processing firewood for next season. My parents have a decent sized woods a short drive away where I should be able to find plenty of firewood for our lite use.

Craig

 

[annette]

I'm glad the install finally happened, and seems to have gone well. Did they give you your damper block-off plate? That's nice that you were able to fire the stove up without break-in fires.

You mentioned having trouble getting the fire started, and of course that may be all due to your lack of kindling, but this online video on starting and burning a wood stove is great for everyone to watch.

http://www.ec.gc.ca/cleanair-airpur/default.asp?lang=En&n=8011CD70-1

 

[northwinds]

Congrats on your successful install. Nothing like a hot fire to make the frustrations of the install
process fade away. Looking forward to your photos.

 

[SlyFerret]

I love that Fatwood stuff.

I have a good fire going right now that I started from a cold stove with three pieces of newspaper rolled and knotted, two pieces of Fatwood, and a log cabin of kindling.

The newspaper gets things started, the Fatwood takes it a bit farther, and before I know it, the whole thing is rolling right along!

-SF

 

[CBBaron]

Hears the photos.

They did not install a block off plate but did insulate around the liner just above the old fire box accomplishing much the same thing.

Craig

 

[tkirk22]

That's a nice looking install. I love that mantle!

 

[CBBaron]

That's a nice looking install. I love that mantle!

I love that mantel also.
However it was a challenge to find a stove that would look appropriate and fit in our current fireplace. The hearth is tile and granite and flush with the wood floor so we did not want to have to change it. The mantel is a very traditional design and that combined with the extensive raised trim an large plaster crown mouldings in the room meant that most steel inserts and stoves looked out of place. We considered a Jotul insert but the cast surround would not completely cover the opening and my wife did not like it quite as well. I think the Yosemite work perfectly although I also liked the looks of the Homestead.

Craig

 

[begreen]

Great setting for the stove. Good choice! Is the mantel original? You don't often see that kind of detailing these days. Do you know when it was installed?