Chimney Balloon fireplace damper

Why is my Trusty old Smoke Pencil is not making smoke anymore?

Dear Jason,

My smoke puffer has stopped working. The batteries are fresh and the unit has full fluid. The light does come on when the trigger is pulled. I am using a fresh set of regular energizer batteries. (I've tried another set thinking it may be weak batteries but it isn't.)

I'm not sure if the internal parts are bad. Are there replacement parts for the device? I use it everyday for my energy audits. I've been using mine for about 6 months. It's the best tool on the market for draft testing smoke. - WA

Dear WA, It sounds like the heating element in the Smoke Pencil took one jolt too many. We highly recommend rechargeable batteries to use with your Smoke Pencil, because alkaline batteries tend to create power spikes at the start and end of their power cycles (every time you pull the smoke trigger). These voltage jolts tend to be hard on the small heating element in the smoke pencil and eventually wear it down over a long periods of time (like 6 months). Rechargeable batteries on the other hand keep a nice steady voltage and don’t spike, so they are not hard on the smoke pencil and they can help it last many times longer.

I would really recommend rechargeable batteries for your Smoke Pencil, especially since you use it every day. We sell a rechargeable kit on our website www.smokepencil.com but to be honest you can use any AA rechargeable. This advice is too late for your current Smoke Pencil, but I tell you what, if you call in an order and ask for me, I will make sure you get free shipping on your next one. - Jason

Can I plug a modern wood stove with a Chimney Balloon when I am not using it?

Dear Jason, Help! I have a very nice EPA rated wood stove that was put in about a year ago. It was installed in my lower level and the trouble is it smells of creosote and smoke smell when I am not using it. I know it is negative pressure bringing the smokey stink back into the house. Can I plug the flue with a Chimney Balloon to prevent the back draft from bringing the smell back in? - TW

Dear TW, It depends on what type of stove you have. The image to the left is the inside top of an Avalon woodstove that has firebrick baffles on the top of the firebox. These brick baffles can be removed and it gives you easy access to the round flue so you can install a 9x9 Chimney Balloon when it is not being used. In the picture you can see the one brick is being lifted because they just set in there by gravity.

Other wood stoves are completely metal-clad in the firebox and the baffles are welded steel. In these fireplaces you often have no access to the flue through the firebox.

On occasion you can get access to another part of the chimney through a clean-out door portal. Usually these are outside and near a bend in the chimney or pipe.

You have to have access to the wood stove flue or chimney to plug it with a Chimney Balloon. - Jason