How to install a fireplace insert when the chimney already has a SS liner

[sscanf]

Hi All,

I bought a used Jotul Kennebec C450 fireplace insert (I installed and used one of these for years in a previous home) to install in a home we just moved into. I expected to have to install a 6" SS liner which I did when I installed this stove at the pervious home. When I looked at the chimney, I found an existing 8" liner (see photo). Also the damper has been removed. I'm pretty sure the previous owners had an insert that they took with them. It also has a very new cap on the chimney. The chimney is brick and cinder block and in good condition from the bottom to the top.

My question is this: The Jotul has a 6" connection. What do I need to adapt the Jotul to the existing 8" liner (which is not reachable from the fireplace)? Can I get a short section of 6" liner to go from the insert to the existing liner? What do I need to do at the damper. Do I need to seal the box around the flex-liner (I don't think I did that back in 2005 or so when I did this last time).

Thanks in advance for the help.

Dan


Top view of chimney liner (Note: I will be cleaning before installing the new stove)

 

[bholler]

Hi All,

I bought a used Jotul Kennebec C450 fireplace insert (I installed and used one of these for years in a previous home) to install in a home we just moved into. I expected to have to install a 6" SS liner which I did when I installed this stove at the pervious home. When I looked at the chimney, I found an existing 8" liner (see photo). Also the damper has been removed. I'm pretty sure the previous owners had an insert that they took with them. It also has a very new cap on the chimney. The chimney is brick and cinder block and in good condition from the bottom to the top.

My question is this: The Jotul has a 6" connection. What do I need to adapt the Jotul to the existing 8" liner (which is not reachable from the fireplace)? Can I get a short section of 6" liner to go from the insert to the existing liner? What do I need to do at the damper. Do I need to seal the box around the flex-liner (I don't think I did that back in 2005 or so when I did this last time).

Thanks in advance for the help.

Dan

View attachment 333995
Top view of chimney liner (Note: I will be cleaning before installing the new stove)

You will need to atleast install an appropriate 6 to 8 stainless adapter between the existing liner and the 6" stub of liner.

 

[sscanf]

I bought an 8" to 6" adaptor but attaching it will not be easy. The liner is quite high up the chimney. I think I could jam the adaptor into the existing liner but I don't know how to attach it because the existing liner is quite high up the chimney. About 3 feet. Please see attached photo.

Then I went to the local stove store and received this advice: Remove the 8" liner and replace it with a 6" liner. They also said that the 6" liner would not fit inside the existing 8" liner (Of course they also questioned the condition of the used insert that I bought.) The problem is that I don't think it will be easy to remove the 8" liner. It looks cemented in. At the same time, I think a 6" liner would fit inside. Would it be a problem to have a 6" liner inside the 8" liner? Is it possible to pull a 6" liner through an 8" liner?

The store suggested I speak to their favorite chimney sweep which I did. He wanted $429 to clean and inspect and advise (and provide an installation estimate). That seems like a lot of money for that service.

I could use some suggestions. Has anyone ever tried to pull a new liner inside another liner?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[bholler]

I bought an 8" to 6" adaptor but attaching it will not be easy. The liner is quite high up the chimney. I think I could jam the adaptor into the existing liner but I don't know how to attach it because the existing liner is quite high up the chimney. About 3 feet. Please see attached photo.

Then I went to the local stove store and received this advice: Remove the 8" liner and replace it with a 6" liner. They also said that the 6" liner would not fit inside the existing 8" liner (Of course they also questioned the condition of the used insert that I bought.) The problem is that I don't think it will be easy to remove the 8" liner. It looks cemented in. At the same time, I think a 6" liner would fit inside. Would it be a problem to have a 6" liner inside the 8" liner? Is it possible to pull a 6" liner through an 8" liner?

The store suggested I speak to their favorite chimney sweep which I did. He wanted $429 to clean and inspect and advise (and provide an installation estimate). That seems like a lot of money for that service.

I could use some suggestions. Has anyone ever tried to pull a new liner inside another liner?

Thanks,
Dan

Ok so it looks like that was installed for use as an open fireplace. Are you sure its 8" that would be very small for just about any fireplace. And yes an insulated 6" liner should fit inside an 8" liner just fine

 

[sscanf]

Ok so it looks like that was installed for use as an open fireplace. Are you sure its 8" that would be very small for just about any fireplace. And yes an insulated 6" liner should fit inside an 8" liner just fine

Thank you. Yes, it is definitely 8" which I measured from the top with a tape measure. When I looked at the bottom, it didn't look like 8" so I measured again (by cutting an 8" circle from cardboard and sending it up the flue on a short broom stick) and it just fit.

So I'll get a 6" insulated liner and pull it down from the top. I'm concerned that the ridges in the 6" liner will stick to the ridges in the 8" liner enough to damage it. Am I getting more concerned about this than I should? Last time I did a liner, I just used duct tape to attach a pull rope. It seems like some sort of nose cone for this purpose would help with this installation (but again, attached via duct-tape and/or screws rather than a clamp). There's only about 15 feet of chimney to go down.

As for it being a small flue for an open fire, I think the previous owner had an insert in there before because the damper door is GONE and nowhere to be found. I had to shove a pillow up there shortly after moving in to stop the draft. I suspect they just had a stub coming out of the insert that either slipped inside the 8" liner or some similar arrangement. This was actually my first thought but I assume that would not be safe and/or up to code.

Will the inspector care that there is one liner inside another liner? It seems like two should be better than one?

Thanks again,
Dan