Do OWB stacks NEED to be insulated?

[Jaberwky]

My CB Classic has a single stack section. After 3 winters and a few too many hot stacks I managed to fry the insulation in a few spots. Instead of replacing it I just got a new (used) section of stack from a guy. We had a really nasty wind over the summer and the screws loosened just enough to allow the stack to tip and ruin it. So I threw the original stack on but just no insulation in there, and forgot that the insulation was missing until a few days ago.

Where I live it gets pretty cold - stretches of winter at -20F or more. Is there any reason I HAVE to use insulation in the stack? I did go buy a roll of foil faced hi-temp and if I have to I could shut the boiler down for a couple of hours and try to wrestle some in this stack. I'd prefer not to if I don't have to.

What exactly does the insulation do?

 

[cleanburn]

My CB Classic has a single stack section. After 3 winters and a few too many hot stacks I managed to fry the insulation in a few spots. Instead of replacing it I just got a new (used) section of stack from a guy. We had a really nasty wind over the summer and the screws loosened just enough to allow the stack to tip and ruin it. So I threw the original stack on but just no insulation in there, and forgot that the insulation was missing until a few days ago.

Where I live it gets pretty cold - stretches of winter at -20F or more. Is there any reason I HAVE to use insulation in the stack? I did go buy a roll of foil faced hi-temp and if I have to I could shut the boiler down for a couple of hours and try to wrestle some in this stack. I'd prefer not to if I don't have to.

What exactly does the insulation do?

It helps you so that you don't get too cold of a chimney (if your chimney is too cold you can condensate and cause creosote and all kind of other horrible issues), but your stove chimney won't get that cold anyways so I would't worry about insulating it Mine aren't insulated and I have no issues....

 

[abohac]

I don't think so. I have a cap and that's all on mine. My dad put a 4 foot insulated extension on his my it seemed to be a waste of money to me.

 

[barkeatr]

i believe you will get a better "draw" from the insulated chimney...the exhaust air remains warmer when the chimney is insulated causing more lift...the hotter the air the faster it rises?

but i dont think its a huge matter, i have four feet of uninsulated on mine now and the difference in draw is neglegable.

 

[tanker]

If it is the stainless chimney,check with your c.b. dealer,should be guarn]anteed for life,mine is