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Post by quadfather on Jan 10, 2023 13:11:16 GMT
I just have two valves that spin open and closed. I leave them slightly open, and that's it. I never fiddle with them after finding the sweet spot
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Post by Dougs on Jan 10, 2023 13:16:24 GMT
Just had a quote for a new stove, construction of new chimney, hearth, twin external flue etc. £6k. Hmm.
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nexus6
Junior Member
Posts: 2,526
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Post by nexus6 on Jan 10, 2023 14:01:52 GMT
Just had a quote for a new stove, construction of new chimney, hearth, twin external flue etc. £6k. Hmm. Ouch |
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nexus6
Junior Member
Posts: 2,526
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Post by nexus6 on Jan 10, 2023 14:02:45 GMT
I just have two valves that spin open and closed. I leave them slightly open, and that's it. I never fiddle with them after finding the sweet spot A horrible image, unbidden, popped into my mind of you twirling your nipples. That’s what you wanted isn’t it? |
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dogbot
Full Member
Posts: 8,738
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Post by dogbot on Jan 10, 2023 14:46:16 GMT
 Ours is a dual fuel stove so if you want to burn coal in it, you generally need to have some airflow from underneath. Today's wood is very hard indeed, so once the fire is established, I'll probably set the bottom vent closed and the top to about 35%, so as to ensure the coals stay burning but not to overburn the wood. If I were burning softer wood, that top vent would likely be nearer 5%. I don't actually adjust whilst burning, just that different woods need different settings (on different days) and trying to burn everything the same isn't the way to go with our stove, it provably doesn't work that way. |
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Post by quadfather on Jan 10, 2023 14:47:25 GMT
I just have two valves that spin open and closed. I leave them slightly open, and that's it. I never fiddle with them after finding the sweet spot A horrible image, unbidden, popped into my mind of you twirling your nipples. That’s what you wanted isn’t it? It's disgusting in this forum sometimes  |
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EMarkM
Junior Member
Well, quite...
Posts: 2,150 
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Post by EMarkM on Jan 10, 2023 14:55:07 GMT
Today's wood is very hard indeed It's disgusting in this forum sometimes |
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dogbot
Full Member
Posts: 8,738
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Post by dogbot on Jan 10, 2023 15:16:46 GMT
*fnarr*
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Post by quadfather on Jan 10, 2023 15:24:22 GMT
Filth
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Post by Dougs on Jan 10, 2023 16:58:44 GMT
nexus6 it's a good £1500 more expensive than I was expecting tbh. Will obviously look for another quote.
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Post by henroben on Jan 10, 2023 17:25:27 GMT
I don't want to brag, but I've got primary, secondary AND tertiary air controls! Which basically means that it's almost impossible to find the sweet spot on any given day |
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Post by henroben on Jan 10, 2023 17:27:00 GMT
Just had a quote for a new stove, construction of new chimney, hearth, twin external flue etc. £6k. Hmm. Building a new chimney is not going to be cheap! Although why are you having a chimney if you're also having an external flue? |
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Post by Dougs on Jan 10, 2023 17:32:08 GMT
Because my wife wants the traditional look,ours is a Victorian semi which had the original chimney breast and stack removed at one point. It may be something to compromise on tbh. The chimney construction is £1500 of that, so it's a way to make it more affordable.
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Post by henroben on Jan 10, 2023 18:04:04 GMT
Because my wife wants the traditional look,ours is a Victorian semi which had the original chimney breast and stack removed at one point. It may be something to compromise on tbh. The chimney construction is £1500 of that, so it's a way to make it more affordable. I wondered if that might be the case, I think I'd have the chimney breast built - think they do look better in the chimney recess rather than out in the room and it's not something you'd ever have done later on. You could skip having a surround & mantle added to save some cash and fit that later, but having a chimney built... not so much! |
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Post by jeepers on Jan 10, 2023 18:04:42 GMT
Because my wife wants the traditional look,ours is a Victorian semi which had the original chimney breast and stack removed at one point. It may be something to compromise on tbh. The chimney construction is £1500 of that, so it's a way to make it more affordable. Bit of MDF and some bricks crudely painted in with your kids’ poster paint set and Bob’s your Uncle. |
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Post by jeepers on Jan 10, 2023 18:05:28 GMT
On reflection, I think Henro has better ideas than me.
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Post by Dougs on Jan 10, 2023 19:07:48 GMT
I wondered if that might be the case, I think I'd have the chimney breast built - think they do look better in the chimney recess rather than out in the room and it's not something you'd ever have done later on. You could skip having a surround & mantle added to save some cash and fit that later, but having a chimney built... not so much! The proposal is to build the breast out of a steel frame and fireproof board. So in theory, that could be done after. In theory. Maybe. |
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Post by darkling on Jan 31, 2023 15:10:45 GMT
Has anyone ever had any issues with excessive flue draw?
I specifically got a new stove this winter because my old Stovax was so noisy and uncontrollable. With the DEFRA kit fitted I couldn't shut it down anywhere near enough and it would burn out of control, with a constant rushing air / howling noise coming from it.
I've removed the DEFRA kit from my new stove and I can now stop the howling noise, and logs last a lot longer. It's a vast improvement.
However, yesterday I heard the dreaded dull thuds / sizzling noises coming from my stove again, making me think I've been running it shut down too often, and creosote has started to build up and drop down my flue. But I can't open it up due to the noise and easy risk of over-firing the stove.
I'm tempted to get a sweep or stove fitter out to discuss options, but my god, they're a load of fucking cowboys in Sheffield in my experience, only interested in getting in and out as fast as possible, no matter the cost or collateral damage to your fireplace and hearth.
Cost me a fortune to get my chimney sorted out just before Xmas, he fucked up the fitting of a new register plate, and he's left marks all over my walls. I can't for a minute imagine any of them would be interested in solving an intangible issue like excessive flue draw.
Anyway, long story short, does anyone have any advice how I can calm the draw on my chimney flue? I've read a chimney cowl may work, and also a flue damper, although I've also read a flue damper is a creosote magnet and generally not recommended.
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Post by henroben on Feb 1, 2023 10:52:00 GMT
Has anyone ever had any issues with excessive flue draw? I specifically got a new stove this winter because my old Stovax was so noisy and uncontrollable. With the DEFRA kit fitted I couldn't shut it down anywhere near enough and it would burn out of control, with a constant rushing air / howling noise coming from it. I've removed the DEFRA kit from my new stove and I can now stop the howling noise, and logs last a lot longer. It's a vast improvement. However, yesterday I heard the dreaded dull thuds / sizzling noises coming from my stove again, making me think I've been running it shut down too often, and creosote has started to build up and drop down my flue. But I can't open it up due to the noise and easy risk of over-firing the stove. I'm tempted to get a sweep or stove fitter out to discuss options, but my god, they're a load of fucking cowboys in Sheffield in my experience, only interested in getting in and out as fast as possible, no matter the cost or collateral damage to your fireplace and hearth. Cost me a fortune to get my chimney sorted out just before Xmas, he fucked up the fitting of a new register plate, and he's left marks all over my walls. I can't for a minute imagine any of them would be interested in solving an intangible issue like excessive flue draw. Anyway, long story short, does anyone have any advice how I can calm the draw on my chimney flue? I've read a chimney cowl may work, and also a flue damper, although I've also read a flue damper is a creosote magnet and generally not recommended. I'm genuinely surprised you're getting creosote build up that quickly tbh, what are you burning? I don't think a chimney cowl would help tbh, as far as I know they're fitted more to increase the draw of a chimney and reduce the chances of down draft and rain / snow ingress. I'm not sure they'd reduce the draw that much, if at all. A damper would be the better option, but if you're already getting creosote build up so quickly, a damper might well make it worse! You're going to need either an experienced sweep or a stove fitter to actually look at it I reckon, but god only knows if you'll be able to get one in during the winter. I'm presuming as it's a new stove the door fits correctly / seals are all good etc. so it's not pulling in more air than it should? |
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geefe
Full Member
Short for Zangief
Posts: 8,323
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Post by geefe on Feb 1, 2023 10:54:58 GMT
I got quoted...
£1,200 for fitting
£1,500 to open up my existing fireplace and chimney
£1,300 for the stove.
Fuckity fuck that. I'll just get better windows and insulate my living room.
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dogbot
Full Member
Posts: 8,738
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Post by dogbot on Feb 1, 2023 11:02:03 GMT
It sounds like you need someone to look at the chimney. Although, having it swept isn't going to help if you think it's overdrawing, as it will almost certain draw more (better) when it's swept. It's possible that it's too wide for the stove, although I would have expected an installer to consider that.
Fires are noisy, though, enclosed ones especially so. Ours is cowled, draws properly and still makes all sorts of noises over and above the using crackle and pop of wood. The chimney was checked before we started using it and has been again since. It's just one of those things. All sorts of different bits heat up and cool down during operation and shift about slight, plus the outside conditions are often different.
That said, I almost never turn it down to the minimum (or below about 20%) setting unless I'm letting it die once all the fuel is burned.
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Post by darkling on Feb 1, 2023 12:54:13 GMT
Has anyone ever had any issues with excessive flue draw? I specifically got a new stove this winter because my old Stovax was so noisy and uncontrollable. With the DEFRA kit fitted I couldn't shut it down anywhere near enough and it would burn out of control, with a constant rushing air / howling noise coming from it. I've removed the DEFRA kit from my new stove and I can now stop the howling noise, and logs last a lot longer. It's a vast improvement. However, yesterday I heard the dreaded dull thuds / sizzling noises coming from my stove again, making me think I've been running it shut down too often, and creosote has started to build up and drop down my flue. But I can't open it up due to the noise and easy risk of over-firing the stove. I'm tempted to get a sweep or stove fitter out to discuss options, but my god, they're a load of fucking cowboys in Sheffield in my experience, only interested in getting in and out as fast as possible, no matter the cost or collateral damage to your fireplace and hearth. Cost me a fortune to get my chimney sorted out just before Xmas, he fucked up the fitting of a new register plate, and he's left marks all over my walls. I can't for a minute imagine any of them would be interested in solving an intangible issue like excessive flue draw. Anyway, long story short, does anyone have any advice how I can calm the draw on my chimney flue? I've read a chimney cowl may work, and also a flue damper, although I've also read a flue damper is a creosote magnet and generally not recommended. I'm genuinely surprised you're getting creosote build up that quickly tbh, what are you burning? I don't think a chimney cowl would help tbh, as far as I know they're fitted more to increase the draw of a chimney and reduce the chances of down draft and rain / snow ingress. I'm not sure they'd reduce the draw that much, if at all. A damper would be the better option, but if you're already getting creosote build up so quickly, a damper might well make it worse! You're going to need either an experienced sweep or a stove fitter to actually look at it I reckon, but god only knows if you'll be able to get one in during the winter. I'm presuming as it's a new stove the door fits correctly / seals are all good etc. so it's not pulling in more air than it should? It's a weird one alright. I can't believe I'm getting any creosote build up either. I heard the repetitive thud of something dripping down my chimney and hitting my baffle plate accompanied by the sizzle sound a couple of days ago, but nothing since. Could have been rain, but I have a steel hat over my chimney pot though. Maybe it was just a small amount of creosote that's now burned off. Possibly the very top of my chimney pot (or the steel hat) got hot after using it all day, and maybe some "legacy creosote" dripped down. Who knows. Only got the stove in September and I've been maintaining it well. Door seals seem perfect, and I'm still able to shut it down almost completely, apart from the heavy draw preventing me from choking the fire out completely. I never seem to get the orange floating flames that I know is possible with this stove (Woodford Lowry, YouTube vid)... They're always yellow and getting sucked upwards... Aside from the other day where momentarily I must have got negative chimney draw in these high winds, and for just a moment I got those orange floating flames that a shut down stove should produce. I had all the same issues of excessive draw and the stove burning out of control with my old stove, so I'm 99% it's the chimney draw at this point, not the stove. I think I'll just try and find someone professional and book them to have a look the summer when they're quiet. Thanks for your reply. |
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Post by technoish on Feb 1, 2023 13:00:39 GMT
Good luck!
Although I don't think you are really ever supposed to dampen the flames down on these stoves. They should work at the right output and temp and that's it. (Your excessive draw issues notwithstanding!)
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Post by darkling on Feb 1, 2023 13:01:28 GMT
It sounds like you need someone to look at the chimney. Although, having it swept isn't going to help if you think it's overdrawing, as it will almost certain draw more (better) when it's swept. It's possible that it's too wide for the stove, although I would have expected an installer to consider that. Fires are noisy, though, enclosed ones especially so. Ours is cowled, draws properly and still makes all sorts of noises over and above the using crackle and pop of wood. The chimney was checked before we started using it and has been again since. It's just one of those things. All sorts of different bits heat up and cool down during operation and shift about slight, plus the outside conditions are often different. That said, I almost never turn it down to the minimum (or below about 20%) setting unless I'm letting it die once all the fuel is burned. Yeah I had it swept a couple of months back, and after that I'm not able to shut the stove down quite as well as when I first got it, but it's only marginally worse. I expect wood crackles, pops, ticking sounds, even clanks as the metal heats up, but my stove sounds like a gale blowing unless I shut it down 95% of the way. It can't be normal. Oh it's a 5" flue btw. Pretty standard and not very big. |
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Post by technoish on Feb 1, 2023 13:54:11 GMT
I got quoted... £1,200 for fitting £1,500 to open up my existing fireplace and chimney £1,300 for the stove. Fuckity fuck that. I'll just get better windows and insulate my living room. Surely that will still be a lot more expensive! Quote seems okish, mine was £3.3k Inc vat, flue liner, opening up fireplace, stove, and slate surrounds and base. |
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Post by quadfather on Feb 1, 2023 14:02:27 GMT
I'd pay 4k for a fire. You can't beat them.
And I see the telegraph is doom mongering again for what must be the 50th time about wood burners
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Post by GigaChad Sigma. on Feb 1, 2023 14:07:26 GMT
You should all skip the middleman and pump your smoke directly into the elderly and children's lungs with bellows.
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Post by quadfather on Feb 1, 2023 14:10:15 GMT
Live on my own and smoke anyway. I'm not hurting anyone!
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Post by Dougs on Feb 1, 2023 14:17:30 GMT
I'd pay 4k for a fire. You can't beat them. And I see the telegraph is doom mongering again for what must be the 50th time about wood burners I've gone back to the installer that quoted me, asking if I can have the fake chimney built after. That would bring the quote down into the realms of affordability. Can't see why not... |
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geefe
Full Member
Short for Zangief
Posts: 8,323
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Post by geefe on Feb 1, 2023 17:52:21 GMT
I got quoted... £1,200 for fitting £1,500 to open up my existing fireplace and chimney £1,300 for the stove. Fuckity fuck that. I'll just get better windows and insulate my living room. Surely that will still be a lot more expensive! Quote seems okish, mine was £3.3k Inc vat, flue liner, opening up fireplace, stove, and slate surrounds and base. Window + insulation is circa £3k, so a grand cheaper. |
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