single-wall stove pipe collecting debris

[Highbeam]

What are you using to measure cat temperature?

I use a cat gauge from condar with actual numbers.

Cat temperature along with presence of flame is not how you verify that your cat is still “good”. You go out and look at the stack when running low. Even a nearly dead cat can work a tiny bit. Enough to warm up.

It’s a wear item. Don’t fight it.

 

[RustyShackleford]

What are you using to measure cat temperature?

Condar catalytic combustor thermometer, model 3CX-2.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Ordered a new metal combustor from Midwest Hearth.

 

[begreen]

Yeah, 1000 hrs/year is way too low. But I keep coming back to the fact that the cat can easily be running at 1000 degrees with no visible fire in the firebox. How can it not be working ? But yes, I can believe the exhaust is pretty cold.

I'm a little intimidated about double-wall. How do I handle the dogleg in my pipe (the chimney is offset about 12" from the flue collar) ? Is there such a thing as adjustable elbows, or am I stuck with 45s (using 30s now, so gentler bends) ? How do you shorten a piece of it ?

There are offset charts provided by the stove pipe manufacturer that will help calculate the offset in the double-wall.

 

[RustyShackleford]

There are offset charts provided by the stove pipe manufacturer that will help calculate the offset in the double-wall.

Whose pipes do you use ?

I think I'll try the new combustor first though.

 

[begreen]

DuraVent DVL is what is pictured.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Would it make any sense to just replace the 2ft piece that comes up from the stove's flue collar with a piece of double-wall ? Leave the offset and the part above that as single-wall and see how it works ? It'd be simpler (wouldn't have to work out the offset) ... and cheaper. Assuming the single- and double-wall will play together nicely.

 

[RustyShackleford]

And just like that - knock on wood - my problem (debris collecting in single-wall stovepipe) is gone. I've burned more wood this winter than in several years, much of it at a low burn, and I have heard almost no sound of deposits flaking off the connector. Virtually nothing. I haven't changed anything. I never installed any double-wall pipe. My firewood is the same as it ever was, mostly oak and seasoned for at least two years. I am bewildered. I did install a new combustor, but it was midway thru last year's burning season, and based on temperature readings (esp. ability to stay "active" during long low overnight burns) I don't think the old one really needed replacing.

 

[EbS-P]

And just like that - knock on wood - my problem (debris collecting in single-wall stovepipe) is gone. I've burned more wood this winter than in several years, much of it at a low burn, and I have heard almost no sound of deposits flaking off the connector. Virtually nothing. I haven't changed anything. I never installed any double-wall pipe. My firewood is the same as it ever was, mostly oak and seasoned for at least two years. I am bewildered. I did install a new combustor, but it was midway thru last year's burning season, and based on temperature readings (esp. ability to stay "active" during long low overnight burns) I don't think the old one really needed replacing.

No changes to the envelope of the house? Only change was the cat?

 

[stoveliker]

Could you have had a leaking connection in the stove pipe that the last reinstalling after cleaning fixed?

 

[RustyShackleford]

No changes to the envelope of the house? Only change was the cat?

Not that I can think of. Installed a new heat pump ...

Could you have had a leaking connection in the stove pipe that the last reinstalling after cleaning fixed?

I don't think so.

 

[BKVP]

Not that I can think of. Installed a new heat pump ...


I don't think so.

Can you move the offsets up closer to ceiling support box. Will increase stack velocity come out of flue collar. May help.

BKVP

 

[RustyShackleford]

Can you move the offsets up closer to ceiling support box. Will increase stack velocity come out of flue collar. May help.

Not much. The straight-up section coming out the top of the stove is about 2ft. I can add 6" at the most. (Be aware the photo in post #29 is NOT mine).

But like I said, I'm happy now. Must've been the cat.