What is this lever on my fireplace?

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
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0
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It's not the flue, that's in the top center front of my fireplace.

I just noticed it today for the first time and it was in the up position. I moved it down to the down position since it says "open" on that end but I didn't notice any difference.


Anyone know wth this is?
 

Loreena

Senior member
Oct 30, 2008
297
0
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Lever to put down Santa's landing gear. Don't mess with it on Christmas eve!

Seriously, I'd be willing to bet it's a draft damper for the door so the fire can breathe when the doors are closed.
 

RedArmy

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2005
2,648
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It's a damper lever used to close the chimney off so the cold air doesn't come in. Make sure it isn't closed when you have a fire going!
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
It opens the chimney. If you look at the top of the inside of your fireplace there is a little flap which opens and closes the chimney.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
Originally posted by: lokiju
Originally posted by: Squisher
What happens when you move it? We know you did.

Nothing that I could tell.

Can you feel a difference in the draft? Can you look up the chimney and see a little flap opening and closing?
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
5
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Originally posted by: Leros
Originally posted by: lokiju
Originally posted by: Squisher
What happens when you move it? We know you did.

Nothing that I could tell.

Can you feel a difference in the draft? Can you look up the chimney and see a little flap opening and closing?

There's a bend so I can't see all the way up.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
It lets in air from the bottom of your fireplace so that is burns hotter, more air. When you move it you should hear the blinds open/close in the bottom.
 
Oct 27, 2007
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Originally posted by: spidey07
It lets in air from the bottom of your fireplace so that is burns hotter, more air. When you move it you should hear the blinds open/close in the bottom.

I'm fairly sure this is the correct answer (as I said above). The OP says the flue is on the top/front of his fireplace. This doesn't make sense (flue == chimney) but I'm guessing he means that the leaver that controls the flue aperture is on the front. This level controls the draft into the fireplace, usually from behind or beneath.
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
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Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
Originally posted by: spidey07
It lets in air from the bottom of your fireplace so that is burns hotter, more air. When you move it you should hear the blinds open/close in the bottom.

I'm fairly sure this is the correct answer (as I said above). The OP says the flue is on the top/front of his fireplace. This doesn't make sense (flue == chimney) but I'm guessing he means that the leaver that controls the flue aperture is on the front. This level controls the draft into the fireplace, usually from behind or beneath.

Yeah. I meant the front top part of the fire place controls the flue via another lever.
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
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Flip it back and forth - it's obviously a mechanical linkage to something. As others have already mentioned most likely a way to control air to the firebox.