Installing/Venting an Antique Stove

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AB in SEPA

Post by AB in SEPA » Tue. Oct. 11, 2005 3:20 pm

My husband and I have been discussing this for years, and with the current leap in oil prices (filling my oil tank cost over $475!), we're finally looking into putting my great-grandmother's cast-iron kitchen stove to use.

The stove was used and maintained by my uncle until he passed in the early '90s. When his house was sold, we carefully dismantled the stove and brought it to my house. It has been sitting on my enclosed porch ever since, waiting for a toasty fire to warm it up.

Am I a fool for considering the idea of putting this enameled beast in my basement to help warm our house over the winter months? We'd only use it while we're home, of course.

Does anyone know if it is SAFE and/or LEGAL to have the stovepipe tied into my oil burner's chimney to vent the smoke? Are there companies out there who know these stoves and are willing to inspect the stove for safe operation, or do I trust that to the local fire marshall?

Our basment is really the only place I can think of to put the stove safely to use with two small kids running around. Sure, they'd learn to stay away from it (I did as a kid, I think my cousins and I all have scars from whacking our heads on the same spot), but the two-year-old would surely be fascinated with the bucket of coal I'd keep next to it.

In my untrained mind, I feel the other advantage to basment placement in my one-story rancher is that the heat should sufficiently rise to the main floor via the return vents already in place for the oil burner, since they're just vents and not ducted to anything. These vents are also on the center walls of the house (not outside walls). I do also have a vent in my hallway floor from when all those vents were ducted to the master return in the former owner's attempts to save a few bucks while making the basement incredibly dank and smelly.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Amy

 
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Richard S.
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Post by Richard S. » Tue. Oct. 11, 2005 7:48 pm

AB in SEPA wrote:
Am I a fool for considering the idea of putting this enameled beast in my basement to help warm our house over the winter months? We'd only use it while we're home, of course.
My aunt used one of them for years, there's nothing wrong with using it. Coal is a different animal though than other types of heating, there's no on/off.... lighting it for just a few hours would really be a waste and once lit you can't just put it out. Once lit properly it will burn for 12 hours.... There's nothing wrong with leaving it lit when not at home, there's no safety issues such as you would have with wood.
Does anyone know if it is SAFE and/or LEGAL to have the stovepipe tied into my oil burner's chimney to vent the smoke? Are there companies out there who know these stoves and are willing to inspect the stove for safe operation,


I can't specifically state that it is safe because I don't know it's condition, if you really want to use it your best bet is having someone from a local (reputable) fireplace/stove shop check it out. As I stated before my aunt faithfully used hers for years, I still have customers that use them as well. The most important thing is making sure it properly hooked up to the chimney. As for tieing it into the same chimney as a oil burner I'll leave that to someone more qualified.

 
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Post by stovehospital » Fri. Sep. 16, 2011 8:18 am

In this area you cannot tie into the same flue as the boiler. It messes with the draft etc. Also, make sure mthe stovge is in usable condition. Have it checked out by someone that knows old stoves. I get folks in here all the time with a "perfect" stove that is borberline dangerous. Best to be very careful up front.


 
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Post by SteveZee » Fri. Sep. 16, 2011 8:53 am

Hi Amy,

As you can see by my avatar picture, I have a range in my kitchen. Mine is a Glenwood from around 1909 or so and it heats a full half of my 2500sqft home. As Emery and Richard mentioned it is best to have you stove checked out first by someone who knows old stoves. It might behoove you find a restorer (such as Emery) to go through the stove. If there are no obvious cracks, it's usually down to sealing it up properly. If it was used recently, it may be fine but best to be sure. While many people have stoves in the basement, it's not actually the best use of that type stove. Mine heats the kitchen and that half of the house plus I cook on it and bake in it all winter. You are certainly not foolish for considering using it. I wouldn't be without mine for any modern stove due to its versatility. I'm sure Emery will tell you that these are selling like hot cakes as people realise that the days of cheap oil are done.

As far as connecting it to the same flue as the oil furnace, it's usually NOT done anymore. Only if it is on a seperate flue in the same chimney can this be done in my area. People used to do it all the time but current codes say no. You would have to run a stainless flue for it and then probably for the oil furnace too if your chimney only has the one flue. You can check with your fire marshall to be sure about your area.

 
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Smoker858
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Post by Smoker858 » Sat. Sep. 17, 2011 2:49 pm

Just a cautionary note, be sure to install carbon monoxide alarms adjacent to sleeping areas

 
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Post by swededoc » Sat. Sep. 17, 2011 3:42 pm

You might be able to install a 'direct vent' kit on your oil burner. If so, this would allow you to use your chimney for the coal stove. Check for make and model numbers on your oil burner and see if the professional suppliers in your area (note, not the 'big box stores') have a 'direct vent' setup for your furnace. Being a carpenter and not a HVAC mechanic, I don't know. Others here on the site that are knowledgeable will chime in. But don't try to do it without first getting professional advice here, and from your local sources.

As far as kids and stoves, they'll learn pretty fast, but that's up to you. You will not regret getting that baby fired up.

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