Wanting more heat From Drolet 1800i

[CabinDweller430]

A block off plate, up in the fireplace's damper area, will stop the heat from the stove just heading up the chimney and heating the outdoors. The purpose is for the heat to stay in the room. If this was an interior chimney then it would be less important.

Why damper seal is needed, block off plate install

Should fireplace inserts and hearth stoves have a metal sealing plate installed at the damper area? Here is the simple answer. It is almost impossible to correctly seal most insert panels to the fireplace front. A lot of air can get through them - this works both ways.....hurts the draft when...

www.hearth.com

My insert is in an interior chimney, however with the custom cut surround in place I have a good draft pulling in all sides of the surround’s edge. (using a smoke pencil)

When I remove the surround I do not have the same draft, instead my smoke pencil shows the air coming out across the lentil and in to the room.

Why does putting the surround in place create a draft in to the chimney?

I have a good amount of rockwool stuffed in the damper area but no back off plate…but I can’t get my stove’s room above 70 and the stove temp doesn’t remain hot for very long.

1.) So I’m wondering Is a back off plate really going to make a difference on this interior chimney? Doesn’t the inserts jacket do the same thing?

2.) Now, how about the heatilator situation, the intakes are on both sides of the fireplace in the hallways leading to the stove room. Does this blower system add any issues that I should deal with? (I removed two of the heat pipes to put the liner in, they’re butted up against the pipe, I didn’t cap them off, see install photo.)

 

[begreen]

The fireplace hot air system is now compromised, I don't think its fan will be of value.

That's a very small fire. The insert can be loaded fuller for more heat. Also, would it be possible to move the insert out more onto the hearth? It's almost flush, which restricts its radiant heat. Or is there no room because the liner is up against the backside of the lintel stones?

 

[EbS-P]

How tall is the chimney?
Load it full. Top down fire. Use the use the insert blower on at least medium. It would be nice if they had a manual mode that bypassed the thermo switch.

 

[MRD1985]

Definitely add more wood and see how it does. Not the best install IMO, no insulated liner and no block off plate. What’s the total length of chimney? Liner looks a bit crushed in there. Are there any bends or is it straight up? Is there a cap on the clay liner?

Your chimney is drawing air around the outside of the liner within the chimney. That has nothing to do with the draft within the stove. This is why you notice it more with the surround on. If anything it’s going to pull
Heat out of the room and cool the liner, which could eventually lead to creosote build
Up. I strongly suggest adding a block off plate and more rockwool. I would also try to remove or plug the holes for the vents in the old fireplace. Just going to be a spot for air to be drawn up the chimney from
The room.

This is how i load my 1800i. Hits 750+ STT on a regular basis.