I would loose the cap but I live in Ohio. Its nothing but snow ice and mud here till long after the burning season is over.sixman said:I am thinking that I could get away with taking it out of the cap. It did not come with the cap but installed at the recommendation of my salesman. I have a brick home with a metal roof so the only combustable near it would be the grass in the yard. Do you guys that don't have one see actual glowing embers leaving your stack headed for the ground?