View Full Version : Steam Draft
BradWilson
03-13-2025, 07:17 AM
Morning all,
Two years ago we insulated the sugarhouse and covered the walls. We have an oil fired arch. Now, unless we open the door a few inches, we have little to no steam draft. We heat the sugarhouse with a wood stove but even when it's all warmed up, we still have lots of steam. Anyone else have this issue? What did you do to increase your draft? I hate keeping the door open, it makes my feet cold!
tcross
03-13-2025, 07:36 AM
do you have a cupola or do you have a good with a steam stack? if you have a hood and stack, you can try adding another length or two to your steam stack? More stack should increase your draft?!
Lukie
03-13-2025, 09:29 AM
I have the same problem and i have a huge cupola with no steam hood i have to do the same thing leave my side door open a few inches which makes it cold my cupola is like 4X4 i have tried fans and the only thing that works is the door being open. So good luck trying to figure it out and i really dont want to get a hood
mainebackswoodssyrup
03-13-2025, 03:03 PM
Whirleybird on top of the stack pipe
https://protechonline.net/whirlybirdr-12-turbine-vent-mill-finish-internally-braced?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_SjkN1M4aD7pIRbxNEuDjiUMS2F&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhMq-BhCFARIsAGvo0KdpPMEwqR-IEnVs06XlkjPVVmDqH6vmAPd4Lcpp9PBqUdvOfBqniEMaAsWrE ALw_wcB
BradWilson
03-13-2025, 05:30 PM
Evening,
Been out in the woods chasing leaks. We have a cupola and the opening is bigger than the evaporator. The evap is a 2x6 and the opening is directly above, approx 3.5'x7'. There are four door on the cupola approx 2'x2' each (friggin thing is big). That's why I can't believe that it won't draft. Thinking about putting in a "dog door" or something I can adjust to let some air in.
Super Sapper
03-14-2025, 06:38 AM
You need to replace all of the combustion air for the evaporator and your wood stove or you will create a negative pressure in the building. To get a good draft you need a supply of air to replace what is leaving.
Buffalo Plaid
03-14-2025, 06:50 AM
You need to replace all of the combustion air for the evaporator and your wood stove or you will create a negative pressure in the building. To get a good draft you need a supply of air to replace what is leaving.
I was just thinking the same thing. Creat an outside air intake using some ductwork. Draw in at floor level and dump it out in the rafters to a oid feeling the cold.
RC Maple
03-14-2025, 07:13 AM
I usually boil with the front door open to the sugarhouse. Most of the time I like it that way. When it is cold or the wind isn't favorable for that, I close it most of the way or if all the way - then I have to play with my windows to get the right combination so the steam will get of the building. Sometimes it takes longer to get it right than other times.
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