Fireplace Damper Handle Which Way Is Open

Damper controls are usually located near the top of the firebox.

Fireplace damper handle which way is open.

You know the flue is open if you can see the sky or have a throat dumper. You can look up into the chimney and see it open and close. Operating the fireplace with the damper partially closed will not. These dampers are open by lifting the handle up pushing the damper upwards and pinning the damper in the upward position by setting one of the notches on the handle onto the mounted ratchet on the frame of the fireplace.

The damper can be opened and closed through a few different mechanisms including a latch a pull chain or a handle. This is a good way to get a feel for how the damper and its controls work. As a rule the operating mode for a damper is about one fourth of the way open. The best way to tell whether or not the damper is open is to check the controls.

If the flue is open the smoke will go out of the chimney without any problem. Optimal temperatures vary by house. Check up into the chimney from your fireplace. Test out the damper when the fireplace is not in use to get a feel for how it works.

How your damper is controlled depends on the type of damper your chimney has. Close it when it s not it use. Fireplaces are constructed fairly simply. Carry out a visual check.

Fireplace dampers are typically made of metal or ceramic so they can tolerate the heat of the fire without suffering damage. This keeps smoke and air flowing through the firebox and out the chimney. If the damper is closed then the smoke will come out of the chimney and fill out the room. If your chimney has a traditional throat damper it will either be controlled by a metal rod or a knob also called a rotary style.