Merry Christmas!
Today’s topic feels just right for this season.
The wood stove in the barn, which was still being installed yesterday, is the one I introduced in the previous blog post: “Welcoming the Wood Stove I Had Long Wanted — Part 1”. Today, it was finally time for the first firing.
By the end of the previous post, the chimney had passed through the large-corrugated slate roof and reached the outside. However, there was still a gap between the roof and the chimney. If left as it was, rain would come in. Of course, this would be easy enough with proper dedicated parts, but I wanted to avoid spending money as much as possible. Or rather—I simply had no money――😭
So I used an empty can that was lying around in the barn and cut out a piece of metal from it.
▼ Cutting a piece of metal from an empty can.
▼ A makeshift part to cover the gap in the roof.
Before climbing onto the roof, I installed a damper in the chimney. A damper is a valve placed inside the chimney of a wood stove to adjust the flow of smoke. I also made the final adjustment to the overall chimney height.
▼ Installing the damper in the chimney.
After that, I climbed onto the roof and installed the H-shaped chimney cap.
▼ Installing the H-shaped chimney cap on the roof.
▼ There was still a gap between the roof and the chimney.
Into this gap, I inserted the metal piece I had made earlier. Then I wrapped a ring around it and sealed the area with heat-resistant, fire-resistant adhesive.
▼ Treating the gap with a metal piece, ring, and heat-resistant adhesive.
To be honest, I cannot say, “This is perfect!” But I think it will probably stop the rain――I hope😱.
If it does not work, I will think of another method when the time comes.
And then, at last, it was time for the first firing.
▼ The wood stove with its first fire.
Perhaps because the chimney rises almost vertically, the stove burns surprisingly well. And it is much warmer than I expected! With this, I should no longer have to shiver while working in the barn.
Water boils quickly too, so I can make tea or coffee. I am already getting carried away, thinking that I might grill some dried squid and enjoy it with warm sake.
For now, I am simply relieved that the first fire went well.
This winter’s barn work is going to be much more enjoyable.