woodstove question

[formula]

I recently acquired a Vermont Castings "Vigilant" woodstove. I set to cleaning it up today. Appears to be in good shape. One thing on it that I wasn't too sure about though... ..... On the left side towards the bottom rear of the stove there is a 1" round air inlet with a little slider damper on it. Anyone know what the function of this air inlet is?



Cheers,

Sean

 

[The patriot]

Is it a wood/coal combo?

Might be a shaker grate for coal.

???

Eric

 

[Lnwing]

Some stoves have a set-up for pulling outside air for combustion. Could that be what it is??



Lynn

 

[formula]

The inlet is definitely for combustion air. It has the main air inlet control which is thermostatically controlled, but what is this little one for? I'm figuring that it's either to set the minimum combustion airflow or it's a secondary air inlet to introduce air into the combustion gasses as they exit through the rear passages of the stove, thus providing more heat and a cleaner burn. The problem is... ... . to operate the stove properly, I need to find out what this thing is. Oh... ..... it's a wood only stove.



Sean

 

[The patriot]

My guess it it's used to get you in the ballpark so that the automatic thingamigee can work correctly.

Different stack lengths and configurations will provide you with varying amounts of natural draft. This is to set the natural draft so that the thermostatic controller can do it's thing.

In short... . yea, what you said.

Eric

 

[illflem]

Some woodstoves I've seen have another air inlet that is closer to the outlet. The idea is to supply air for clean combustion of the exhaust gases. This helps keep deposits from forming that can lead to a chimney fire. It is adjustable to compensate for the length of your stove pipe on some, on others it is a fixed opening. Can't tell you how to adjust it other than by trail and error though.

 

[formula]

Looks like I'll be firing it up soon enough Oo.

 

[Lnwing]

I was thinking of piped in outside air; as in outside-the-house, instead of using all room air for combustion. Just a thought.

Lynn