I have a buddy who has jotul. Brand new house brand new install. He has 7' of pipe in the house, 5' in the attic and then another 6-8' on the roof. He has a hard time getting it started. Then when he does get it started the smoke comes back in to the house. He has had the pipe inspected and it is clear. The people who installed it said that he needs to start a fire on the "shelf" to get the draw going. He has done that and it doesn't work. One time he got a fire started and it started drawing air down the pipe and he couldn't get it to go out and had to use a fire extinguisher. Does anyone have any idea why this might be happening? He has a $3000 stove just sitting there that he can't use. I am just trying to help him out and told him you guys were probably more knowledgeable than his installer!
House filling with smoke
- Thread starter claybe
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Woody Stover
Minister of Fire
What model? Does it draft OK after it's burning well, or hasn't he gotten that far? Did he try opening a window near the stove...maybe the new house is too tight where the chimney can't draw. Sounds like plenty of stack height, even if he is at altitude. Can you take a pic of the stack in relation to the roof, surrounding trees, etc? Sometimes I have to pre-heat the flue with a heat gun to establish draft, but only if it's about 60° out. Could do that with a hair dryer as well.
He said he hasn't tried the window thing. He hasn't got the fire going ever. No trees on the property. He said he has tried to preheat the flue and that didn't work. It might be that the house is too tight.
Woody Stover
Minister of Fire
Woody Stover
Minister of Fire
It may be able to draw once the flue gets hot, with the window closed, but a better solution for cold starts is gonna be installing an OAK (outside air kit.)
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Agreed. It's possible this stove needs an outside air kit (OAK), especially if the house is tightly sealed. Have them try opening a nearby window about an inch. If that makes a notable difference in stove performance then they need to have a permanent OAK connection installed. The OAK will supply combustion air. Also, while figuring out the problem they should be sure no exhaust fans or clothes dryer are on.
Is the stove located in the basement or on the first floor?
Is the stove located in the basement or on the first floor?
It is on the first floor. I just asked him if he had an exhaust fan on and he started laughing hysterically! Yes he did. We are not at his house right now so he will try all of this tomorrow when he gets home. Will the OAK just get air next to the stove or is there a way to hook it up to the stove? I have never used one.
Woody Stover
Minister of Fire
Did it at least clear the smoke out?
I think you use 4" aluminum vent and it hooks directly to the stove. I've never done it but I bet the manual has instructions. I think you want it on the windward side of the house, if it is indeed needed.
In a tight house air exchange is important, not just for the stove but for the occupants too. If the house is very well sealed they should have an air exchange system in addition to an OAK on the stove.
Yes, on the Jotul the OAK is a direct connection to the air intake supply port.
Yes, on the Jotul the OAK is a direct connection to the air intake supply port.
kennyp2339
Minister of Fire
Tell ur buddy not to feel bad, I just filled my house with smoke, I know what I did wrong, its all good.
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