I was recently given a small wood cookstove. I had hoped to put it on the back porch and vent it thru a window, but I have been told that wouldn't work because the chimney will not extend above the higest point of the roof and the sparks could cause a fire. Is there any SAFE way to vent this stove or am I better off looking for an alternative place

-- Dianne (yankeeterrier@hotmail.com), August 02, 2000

Answers

Response to Chimney Question

This is a comment not a recommendation. I operated a blacksmith forge in the same situation you described for about five years without problems. Heat in the firebox was hot enough to melt iron - way, way hotter than what a woodstove would be. As far as sparks you can put screen around the upper end of the pipe. Just keep the exhaust pipes well away from anything flamable.

-- Ken S. (scharabo@aol.com), August 02, 2000.

Response to Chimney Question

Dianne, there isn't any way to tell exactly what your situation is from the description you gave. It might be possible to run a long enough chimney pipe and use guy wires to hold it in position. Whenever possible I prefer to go straight up, if it isn't possible, as few and as gentle bends as possible. You might want to talk to the folks where you'd buy your chimney pipe, they would be able to tell you about local codes, too. There is a definite risk by not having the top of the chimney above your roof. And you can decide to assume that risk, or not. If you do have a fire, the insurance company is most likely going to get out of paying if your chimney is improperly installed. Plus losing your home and possessions stinks. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), August 03, 2000.

Response to Chimney Question

The rule I have always used is: 2' above the highest point within 13'

I have a chimney for my shop stove that is on the outside of the gable end, it clear the roof line at that point, about 4' but the peak of the roof is at least 8' higher, I have not problem with it. Also, we had small heat stove in our dining room a few yearws ago that did not clear the upper most roof. In the winter our wind mostly comes from the northwest and both chimneys are open to that.

-- Hendo (OR)r (redgate@echoweb.net), August 04, 2000.