Oxygen starved fire in VC Merrimack

Try preheating your flue. I roll up a piece up newspaper longways, light the end, and get the flame as close as I can up near the baffle. Up high so the heat rises and warms the air in the flue. This works great especially for old stoves that have a huge firebox and open fireplaces. But it will work for any stove also. Give it a try and see how it works.

Check to see if your primary air is plugged with ash. It is front and center below the door.

Stack effect. You're losing air on your upper barrier faster and it's competing with your draft. I have the same problem right now in the two story portion of my home and am kinda stuck with it until I get some inspections done on recent utility company subsidized work. I have a plan in place to remedy the situation. For now I do top down fires and reload on hot coals. I've got 1 year seasoned red oak and wouldn't dream of putting on a fire though...it's measuring high 20s on the MC.

1 year old Red Oak...could be part of you problem getting things started. That wood is probably still quite wet. I agree with the suggestion of pre-heating your flue. You may also try splitting that oak into smaller splits if that is all you have.

Got a very close friend living in Amston. Welcome to the forums!

FYI, I combat this by turning my upstairs heat up for about 20 minutes prior to loading or starting a fire. Lowers the positive pressure plane down to my main floor and forces the heat up the flue instead of out the upper barrier. I still get some minor spillage, but not like I was previously. I can tell an noticeable difference when I open my front door. Instead of blowing open, it's wants to blow shut indicated positive pressure. It also helps to seal your rim joist as this area is the primary source of air infiltration which essentially makes your home act like a flue. Instead of warm air sitting at the top of your envelope, it's leaking out and drawing air from your rim joist/crawlspace, basement. Temporary fixes are fine if you can stomach them, but longer term you need to address the problem so you don't have to deal with it. Insulation and air sealing are not the same thing. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Hi,
Three weeks ago I had a new Merrimack installed and my draft was not strong; my automatic setback control was not working properly. My installer put a new one in very promptly. To check it, after you set the automatic setback control by pulling the handle fully to the left with a cool stove, open the doors and there should be a small round opening. You need to be looking up just above the doors. There are some great pictures here on the forum, use the search tool. My Merrimack is running great now.
Mike

If you can hear and see water sizzle from the wood, it may be too wet. Maybe someone mentioned it already, you could maybe cut or purchase some "for sure" dry wood and see how it burns. Your symptoms sound very familiar to what I have experienced with less than dry wood.