6. Lining a chimney.

If you are planning to use an existing masonry chimney, the best insurance against problems when you burn wood or peat in a closed stove is to install a flexible stainless steel liner. The diameter of the liner is critical – if in doubt, consult the stove manufacturer or your stove supplier. It is also essential that you use a heavy-duty 'multifuel' liner and install it in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Typically the liner will have a corrugated outer skin to resist abrasion when it is being installed and a smooth inner skin to make cleaning as easy as possible.
XXYou get best results if you backfill between the liner and the old chimney with loose, dry insulating material – vermiculite (trade name 'Micafil') is particularly well suited to this job.
XXWith a liner, heat is displaced right up the chimney and the surface temperature rises rapidly as soon as the stove is lit, helping to keep condensation to a minimum. At the same time the chimney is protected throughout its entire height against moisture penetration. Properly installed and maintained, a liner should virtually eliminate chimney-fires and will generally improve the draught applied to the stove so that its performance stays lively, responsive and efficient.
XXTo clarify; a liner is indicated whenever wood/peat are burned in a closed appliance. There is seldom any need to line a chimney when a closed stove is being run exclusively on solid fuel – or when wood/peat are being burned in an open fire.
XX Click here to see what a chimney equipped with a low-mass liner looks like in cross-section when serving a closed stove.
XXFor information on the installation and maintenance of chimney liners visit the Installation section or click here.