Water and Snow in thru Chimney Pompeii Oven Construction Discuss Water and Snow in thru Chimney in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; Hi guys. Have a question for you. I have not used my oven for a few weeks and went out ...

[tdibratt]

Hi guys. Have a question for you. I have not used my oven for a few weeks and went out to check on it.

I noticed some water on the oven door. Not a lot but you can tell it had dripped on there because some of the black soot from the chimney was stained on the door. We're now into snow and the other day I noticed some snow on it.

My guess is it's blowing in thru the chimney cap. I have a plat steel cover on the front of the entire entrance so I do not think it's blowing in at that level.

I posted the pic.

Little concerned because if it seems thru the firebrick, the thermal foam insulation below would get wet.

Thx

[Wiley]

I think you are right in being concerned. My answer might not be aesthetically pleasing but I would suggest removing the spark arrestor cap and replacing with a cover that would exclude the rain and snow. That is what I do; I use an inverted S.S. mixing bowl. This would mean that you would have to get out the step ladder and replace the spark arrestor the next time you use the oven. And then removing the cap and replacing with the bowl after the oven has cooled.

Maybe not the easiest solution but better than seeing a post next spring wondering what one does when one has had water intrusion over the winter with subsequent freezing in the insulation resulting in damage to the structure. Or if no physical damage, having to wait for the oven to dry out before using it.
Wiley

[Les]

I was thinking of putting a piece of metal, slightly concaved, that extends from the top of the door to the bottom of the entry. Anything that enters from the chimney would be directed out of the oven. Seems like a simple and effective solution. Still have to work out the details of the flue mess.

Les...

[Jed]

As an experiment, to confirm the snow is making it in at the top of the flue, put a garbage bag over the top to seal the snow out. If the problem goes away, you have identified the part that "need's fix'in".

The down side is that it will look pretty bad... but if you can confirm snow is drifting in, you can work to modify the spark arrestor to keep the snow out...


JED

[christo]

Have you seen the cool spring loaded chimney caps?

there is a chain that goes down the flue and you can pull the cap down when the fireplace (or WFO) is not in use. Here's a link:

ENERGY TOP Fireplace Dampers

Christo

[Les]

Seems a bit pricey - but a very clever idea!

Les...

[Wiley]

Interesting chimney cap. Unfortunately upon reading their advertisement:

Quote:
NOTE: Top mount dampers cannot be installed on chimneys that vent a wood stove or gas logs.
(end quote)

So that definitely puts a damper on using them on a WFO (pun intended)

I think it would be interesting to know the temperature of the exhaust gasses during fireup. I have a thermometer I could hold in the exhaust gas stream (standing on a step ladder) that should give feel for the temps. I am doing a Thanksgiving turkey and so I'll give it a test; although from what I've read one doesn't want as fully saturated WFO for roasting a turkey.

Anyone ever measure the temperature of the exhaust gasses escaping the top of their WFO's chimney during fireup?

Wiley

[Frances]

Originally Posted by Wiley

Anyone ever measure the temperature of the exhaust gasses escaping the top of their WFO's chimney during fireup?

Wiley

No, but I've wonderd about it... strikes me as being a valuable bit of information when trying to decide on the chimney cap type.

[tdibratt]

Well it is definitely coming down via the chimney. I went and looked again and there is some snow just on top of the oven door. I put a piece of plastic down wrapping the oven entrance and then down along the floor of the entrance then put the door back in place. I figure when I check on it I can just pull the plastinc away and shake the snow out and put it back. I think as long as it keeps it off the bricks and I keep an eye on it so that spring thaw does not melt it and cause it to seep down into the insulation I should be OK.

[christo]

that cap wont work with gas logs or wood stove? sounds like fireplace wood burning only.....

Do you think a wfo is close enough?

christo