What is the key damper for?

[Elle]

Ok, so been going pretty good with my new Oslo...can't really complain much. There are some nights I don't seem to get good secondary action, but I"m learning little things about stacking the wood in the box and such so all in all I think I'm having a great year so far for a new burner-but it is certainly due to a year or two on this board asking questions and reading great threads!!

One question though. I have a key damper in my stove pipe (which is double wall) and the installer said "don't ever use that". No real explanation after I pressed him, he just said to use the air control in the front. I think he said in case of a runaway fire or chimney fire to use it, but other than that...nil. This is the same guy who said not to get advice from internet message boards

I've done some searches and such, but didn't really find any good info on what it is actually used for and if I should be adjusting it and such. I guess in older stoves it was the way to control the air flow, but with the air flow on the front I guess I don't see that as needed. What is the damn thing for, lol.

 

[Sprinter]

A damper can be useful for controlling excessive draft situations, usually in flues that are very tall, like over 30' or so. If your installer told you not to use it, that's a good indication you don't need it and should not try to use it. It would just mess up the proper function of the stove to do so. Maybe in case of a chimney fire or runaway like he said.

 

[firefighterjake]

Sprinter pretty much nailed it . . . some folks here (particularly folks with very strong drafts in very tall flues) report that having a damper in the stove pipe can help run the stove . . . and it can be used to help kill a run-away fire or fire in the chimney (although hopefully burning seasoned wood and inspecting/cleaning the chimney on a regular basis will prevent any chimney fires).

I would go out on a limb here though and say for most folks here, the stove pipe damper is a "relic" from old wood burning days . . . been burning for several years now in all kinds of weather with a relatively talll chimney and quite honestly there haven't been too many times when I have ever wished I had one.

 

[Jags]

Good advice from above and this time your installer is correct on the use of the damper. On todays typical install, a damper is not needed. The stoves are designed to be stingy with the outgoing heat to begin with - the very reason/use of the key damper.
It does no harm to have it in its wide open position. Just a bigger pain when it comes time to sweep. In fact, you might find rare occasion that it is useful - say during a heavy windstorm that is providing an overdraft situation.

 

[Elle]

Thanks guys!!