Wood Stove Problems

Question 1

List three cabinet related problems.

Answer 1

1. Cabinet unsteady or not well secured
2. Cabinet warped or cracked
3. Cabinet leakage

Question 2

List three combustion chamber problems.

Answer 2

1. Warped
2. Cracked
3. Creosote deposits

Question 3

How can you check the depth of creosote buildup in the combustion chamber?

Answer 3

Use a screwdriver to get a sense of the depth of any creosote deposit by
scraping off the creosote along the walls or ceiling.

Question 4

Do all wood stoves have firebrick in the combustion chamber?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

What is a cause of premature clogging of a catalytic combustor?

Answer 5

Poor operation, ignoring the bypass damper, results in clogging of the catalytic combustor.

Question 6

What is the minimum distance that a wood stove should be from an oil tank?

Answer 6

Ten feet in most cases, five feet in some.

Question 7

What material are vent connectors for wood stoves usually made of?

Answer 7

Black steel

Question 8

What would be an inappropriate material for a vent connector?

Answer 8

Galvanized steel

Question 9

What slope are you looking for on the horizontal section of a vent connector?

Answer 9

1/4 inch per foot.

Question 10

What total maximum length are you looking for on a vent connector?

Answer 10

10 feet.

Question 11

What is the minimum combustible clearance for a single wall vent connector?

Answer 11

18 inches.

Question 12

What is the maximum number of elbows you should see on a vent connector?

Answer 12

2

Question 13

Under what circumstances can a wood stove share a flue with a gas appliance?

Answer 13

Under NO circumstances. Sometimes oil burners can share but they must be on the same floor with the oil vent above the wood stove.

Question 14

Why should the male end of a vent connector section be at the lower end?

Answer 14

So the creosote will flow downwards towards the stove rather than leak out through the joints.

Question 15

Describe two poor connections of vent connectors to chimneys.

Answer 15

1. Extends too far into the chimney
2. Loose connection at chimney

Question 16

Which type of creosote is the more serious fire hazard - black and shiny or dark brown and fluffy?

Answer 16

Black and shiny

Question 17

Describe backpuffing.

Answer 17

Occurs when a slow fire is suddenly fed lots of air by opening the door causing the fire to quickly develop, resulting in smoke escaping out through the door.

Open dampers before opening the door to avoid backpuffing

Question 18

What is the best place to find out what the combustible clearances should be for a given wood stove?

Answer 18

Data plate and/or installation guide