On Stove Pipe

A number of different kinds of stove pipe are available. All of them are primarily, of course, in passing the smoke to the outside. However, stove pipe can supplement the heat transfer process itself. In colonial New England, stove pipe was commonly strung the length of the room under the ceiling to give maximum heating. A word of caution however - this will also cook the smoke and, particularly in a cold room will often cause the smoke to draft back through the stove into the room.


Generally there are two major types of stove pipes insulated and uninsulated. Insulated stove pipe is a prefabricated chimney. This pipe may safely be passed through floors, partitions, and roof by relatively simple construction methods. There are several different qualities of uninsulated stove pipe. The least expensive and least desirable is the galvanized or galvanized and blue sheet metal pipe. We have found that this type will usually last only a couple of years. Sulfuric acid which forms in the smoke condensate will rust out the pipe, resulting in holes which may be dangerous if undetected.


Heavier grades of sheet metal stove pipe can be made on special order. We recommend a heavy gauge stove pipe which is spray painted with a heat resistant flat black. Reducers, thimbles, elbows and other lengths of stove pipe are available.