Negative Pressure
Good draft also depends on a supply of air to the stove; a chimney can’t pull in more air than is available to it. Sluggish draft results when a house is tight enough to prevent the ready flow of air to the stove, or by competition between the stove and other equipment that sends indoor air outside - especially power-driven equipment like range hoods, clothes dryers, etc. If the chimney draws well with all other equipment turned off (or sealed, in the case of fireplaces and/or other stoves), then you simply need to be careful with timing the use of the other gear. If you need to crack a nearby window or door to enable the chimney to pull well, that’s a sign that you should install an outside-air intake to bring combustion air directly to the stove. An outside air adapter will attach to the stove to connect an air duct for outdoor combustion air.
Conclusion
Wood-burning is an art rather than a science. Once the stove and chimney system are in place, you can only vary your technique, mostly your timing, to achieve good results. If you keep track of your burning habits and relate them to their effects on the stove’s opera- tion, you’ll be rewarded with good performance and a safe system.
