This is the problem. You are right- all liners are not equal........nor chimneys...I have customers with the old Metalbestos 316 alloy chimneys from the 80's-on coal-still good...or with 25 year old chimney liners -on coal- still OK.McGiever wrote:SS liners are not all equal, uninsulated flex being the worst.
The big controversy is that for the casual reader to happen along and reads just a "snippet" of someone saying "It's no big deal just throw in a SS flex liner and you're good to go cause you got a warranty, the building inspector approves and you can just throw in a free replacement liner and the stove will hardly go cold in the meantime.
It ain't that easy and...No...you are not the exception and "just might get lucky" and beat the odds this one time.
Sorry
Putting a properly installed liner in is MUCH more than just sticking a piece of cheap corragated SS in..........that you don't even KNOW what alloy it really is......(yes, alot of cheating going on out there with the web sellers........your 316 might actually be 400) Another problem- most liners I see are absolutely installed WAY wrong........by supposed "pros"
Yes, masonry or a poured liner is better for long term corrosion -free operation. BUT-not everyone can go there.
Safety- I have seen several CO cases with coal inserts "sliders"- that's slid in with no full liner-and with any hand fed, it MUST be installed like a wood unit--because it CAN be a wood unit.
As far as the "shots" go- I am a professional installer- I MUST install it to code-if it needs a liner, so be it. (if it is a insert, it has to have one to meet code) I am NOT doing it to rob anyone........do not throw me in with the chimney bandits out there.....
The insert I will install next week will have a liner........when I looked at the job, I could see something wasn't right- we ended up cutting a wall open at living room level and opening up the chimney to look inside- I was right- a total mess including the tile liner resting against a wooden header soaked with creosote-yes, that's right- a tile just in full contact with wood with no block or brick in between. Now, this guy plans on taking the hopper out and burning some wood in the fall and spring.What would have happened if he listened to this forum and just stuck it in there???? And lit off that creosote everywhere?
Please- don't give advice if you don't know- SOMEONE WILL END UP DEAD LISTENING TO CHIMNEY ADVICE GIVEN ON THIS FORUM............coal can be deadly-it doesn't take much to go into CO............
If you doubt me ....well,whatever.....
By the way- please don't take anything personal by my rants- it's just that I am usually the guy called in when the typical DIY install isn't working and I witness some crazy things done by people who won't seek or take advice given by their dealer.........things that could kill the other people in the home..........so, I am very testy on this.......I have been involved in situations where the house burned down or people were done in by CO.........all avoidable......please be careful.