R
Cape Cod Wood Stove
TROUBLE- SHOOTING
DRAFT PROBLEMS
The Cape Cod woodstove requires a minimum flue draft of .10 inches of water column on High, and .04 inches of water column on Low, as measured with a draft meter. Most woodstove dealers have draft meters available to measure your flue draft if you suspect a problem.
If the fire is difficult to start, and smoke spills out of the door, or you find it hard to establish and maintain a moderately high burn rate, then the flue draft is too low and corrective measures must be taken.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHECKLIST
1.Is combustion air available?
2.Is dry and well seasoned wood being used?
3.Is the fire being built as explained on page 30 of this manual?
4.Is flue system installed correctly?
a.Proper diameter & height?
b.All chimney connector sections are properly installed and the joints sealed tightly?
c.The chimney and chimney connectors are clean; free of creosote
d.If utilizing an existing chimney, is it free of debris from animals, nearby trees or creosote?
e.Are overhanging trees and branches cut back to within 10 feet of the top of chimney?
f.If chimney cap is equipped with a spark arrestor screen, is it clean and free of
g.Is the kaowool blanket in the proper position?
If you still suspect you have a low draft problem, it may be necessary to increase the volume of air in your flue system. Since the diameter of your flue system is matched with the size of the flue collar and should not be changed, the height of the system will need to be increased. Add chimney a little at a time until the draft improves.
In some cases, regardless of what you do, it can still be difficult to establish the proper flue draft. This is especially evident when using an exterior factory- built chimney or exterior masonry chimney which is likely to have too large of a flue. Try placing several sheets of crumpled paper on top of your kindling as close to the flue outlet of the stove as possible. Light this paper first then the paper under the kindling. The heat generated from the rapidly burning paper on top of the kindling should help get the draft established.
Still other factors can effect how well your flue system performs. Neighboring structures, high winds, tall trees, even hillsides can affect air currents around the chimney. Ask your local dealer about other designs available in chimney caps including wind directional caps, and even draft inducing caps that may be of help. Your local dealer is the expert in your geographic area and can usually make suggestions or discover problems that will easily correct your flue draft problem, allowing your woodstove and its flue system to operate correctly and provide safe and economical heat for your home.
Page 36 | 32198A February 15, 2002 |