I have a wood cookstove with a 6-inch vent and a chimney with a 4-inch flex liner in it. Can this work?

Question

The liner is about 3 years old, and it was the largest that would fit in the old chimney (which used to have a wood stove attached). We want to switch to wood and put this antique beauty in the kitchen, but I keep finding contradictory info on liner size--25% bigger than the vent, same size, smaller... Anyone know?

Answer 1

Too big a vent will create a negative draw in your room which will suck too much warm air out of it. Proper vent sizing is important to avoid that problem. Good luck!

Answer 2

You will keep getting contradiction  with as many people as you ask.

I have installed a lot of wood combustion stoves and heaters and they all, without exception, have a lager vent than chimney liner. The normal size is 4" chimney from the stove vent to the chimney top with a 6" to 8" bottom vent.

The trick is to establish a draft by not having any obstructions and the vent will work a treat.

Happy cooking

Answer 3

Sounds ok to me... just as long as you keep it clean!!! so you don't build up any kreiso, and have a possibility of a fire!!!

Also I hope you are not using this for your main heating/cooking???? if so you may need a little more help!

Answer 4

I assume that the liner was installed for something else.

The vent must be sized for all appliances connected.

You cannot vent solid fuel appliance with gas burning.

Gas appliances would use an aluminum liner and wood would use stainless steel.

That old wood cook stove with the 6" vent connector cannot be used with a 4" vent.

Answer 5

The wood stove was designed with a 6 inch vent which indicates that it needs to vent through a liner with at least six inches. Anything less and there won't be enough flow to allow all the smoke to pass through the chimney. However, you do have the option of installing an exaust fan at the top of your chimney which would mechanically pull the air from your chimney. However, if you have an airtight house with negative pressure problems, this will only make that worse.

Answer 6

You HAVE to talk to a pro. This COULD be a VERY expensive mistake.