Poker Style Damper Control
3 types
The damper is the small metal flap you can open and close when looking up inside your fireplace and into the chimney flue system. Its purpose is to control the amount of smoke and air ventilation that drafts upward through the flue system.
You must open the damper every time you start a fire. Use the directions below to help with opening your damper, depending on the one that matches the fireplace.
- DESCRIPTION: The Poker Style Damper Handle measures 12' in overall length. It consists of a 'catch' piece that bolts to the damper frame, and a control arm which attaches to the damper plate with a provided cotter pin.
- The poker control comes with the Vestal Cast-Iron Damper and is 12' in overall length. It consists of a (catch+ piece that bolts to the damper frame, and a control arm which attaches to the damper plate with a cotter pin (provided). Moving the control arm.
Vestal Cast-Iron Fireplace Damper 30' - When you come across broken, cracked or missing dampers and you want to retain a throat-style damper, the vestal Cast-Iron Fireplace Damper is the unit of choice. Includes framework, plate and poker-style controls. Also available separately is a. Mutual Industries 15-003 P-3 Poker Control, 24' Through 72' 4.9 out of 5 stars 20 ratings. Price: $31.79: Specifications for this item. Metal Fireplace Damper Pull with Solid Brass Handle 4.6 out of 5 stars 142. Easy replacement for my twist style flue opener. Works much more easily Read more. Comment Report abuse. Poker Handle with 2' Extra Opening Range: 14.5' RH Handle: Right Hand Style Damper Handle, Fits RH Dampers: 13' Jim HD: Under the Lintel Style Damper Handle, Fits Jim Dampers: 10.5' Jim HD3: Jim Handle with 3' Extra Opening Range: 13.5' Atlantic: Damper Handle to Fit Atlantic Dampers: 12.5' Terry: 3 Tooth Long Poker Handle: 13.5' Boom: Bomerang.
There’s three types of dampers:
Vestal Poker-style Damper Control
Poker Damper (aka Banana Handle)
This kind damper, Poker dampers, we commonly refer to as a banana handles. This is because of the banana shape arch in the handle. 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. To close it, you simply lift the handle up again, pull the damper shut, and set the handle back into position on the ratchet.
Rotary Damper
Number two we call a rotary damper. The dampers are operated using a metal rod that screws open and shut. Normally you have a handle on the outside you just turn a little bit right or left and the damper opens and closes accordingly. Sometimes they get a little warped rod in there and that causes a lot of problems of opening and closing. It can be a nightmare.
Double Pivot
Then the last one is what we’ll call a double pivot. Its a little more complex but no harder to fix than the others. A double pivot is a lot like a poker damper, except instead of setting the handle on a separate ratchet on the frame, a ratchet with notches is already mounted to the handle AND the frame. You simply pivot the handle back and forth along the notches, allowing the handle to prop the damper open and close as you pull and set the handle into position.
I can’t open my damper!
If you’re still having problems opening your damper, its possible there may be deeper issue that needs addressing. For example, debris may have fallen from inside the chimney chase and is now sitting on top of the damper, weighing it down and preventing it from opening. In any case, leave us a comment below and we’ll try to help you with your damper. Also consider getting an inspection by a professional. You can use the Chimney Sweep Finder on www.ncsg.org/
- Vent Free Gas Fireplaces - April 30, 2019
- Chimney leaking ? Get a bucket Honey, no get lots of buckets” - April 27, 2019
- Water Problems? - March 9, 2019
Lyemance Damper
The Lyemance Damper is a top mount damper that works on a trap door gravity theory. It is operated by a cable and handle as well but when opened instead of popping up it swings open down. These dampers are not the best for high snow fall areas
Vestal Poker-style Damper Control
Common Issues:
Lyemance dampers are known for freezing shut. The surface is flat and will collect snow or rain and in freezing temperatures will freeze shut. Lyemance engineers have designed a kick on the inside to help break the frozen door open.
Repairs:
If you rep lease the handle and the damper does not open chances are just like the Loc-Top it is either built up with creosote or malfunctioned. To see if its frozen shut pull down on the handle as you were going to release it from its bracket then really jerk down hard on it. This will activate the kick piston on the top of the damper. This will help if its a slight freeze or a similar issue.
If that does not work then go to the damper itself and see if you can push down on the plate itself or use a flat tip screw driver to pry it open. Sometimes excessive creosote will build up on the channel the plate sits in sealing it closed, or creosote will have build up on the pivot hinges. Either way you should be able to get it open by pushing down on the side closest to the rear ridge.