Expert: James Ball - 11/13/2009

Question
I have a wood stove (pacific energy super 27)in the basement with approx. 33 ft of stainless chiminey. The chiminey is enclosed in a chase the complete length with the exception of the last 3 ft.and an open cap with 3/4 in. mesh wrapped to keep out birds.
The stove has a 3 in. sealed fresh air supply and is not pulling any air from inside the house, there is no chiminey damper only the air supply ajustment.
In cold weather we have a build up of icicles hanging of the cap and screen , the problem has escalated to a freeze up problem that at one time during a blizzard with high winds the build up was so severe that we woke up at 2 am with a house completely full of smoke (to close a call).
The problem shows up regardless of the wood being used ,
we burn 3 yr. seasoned birch and fir .
Could this be the stove being dampered down so low that the heat has dissipated over time , or the cap and mesh cooling to much ?
we do open up the air when adding wood for 10 min. and when lighting let it get hot before dampering it down.
If you would like a picture let me know ,thank you very much for your service.


Answer
Hello Leland, lets start with the stove, it is designed to run as a certain temp, if you are burning to low it will affect things like icing up on top.
read the owners manual that should tell you what temp to runt he stove at.
hope this help's
James