Northstar ... suddenly not drafting.

bemiller2006 · Mar 10, 2009

My Heat n Glo Northstar has been burning terrific all winter.

Just the other night, suddenly when I crack the door open the smoke flows into the room.

I'm into some of my overflow stock of wood, and maybe it's not the best seasoned ... could that be a good reason?

Also, ive been doing some more mix of pine for the past few fires ... like 2 pine to 2 or 3 oak. Maybe it's not hot enuff to get the flow really moving.

Thanks,
Bruce

begreen · Mar 10, 2009

The unseasoned wood is likely the cause. The problem is likely the flue cap. Check to see if it and/or the upper section of pipe is getting clogged with creosote. If so, call the sweep before continuing to burn.

jtp10181 · Mar 10, 2009

Cap is plugged... see it all the time.

Customers just love it when they go on and on about how there is no way their cap is plugged... blah blah blah.... the stove is defective.... blah blah.... Then I climb on their roof and surprise... its plugged.

Sorry just had to rant there, seriously though, clean your cap out and burn better wood.

davzierse · Mar 10, 2009

did not mean to impose.

North of 60 · Mar 10, 2009

davzierse said:
Check out DRAWCOLLAR.COM to eliminate draw/draft issues!

That oughta dry out his wood and clear his cap for him. :roll:

Shari · Mar 10, 2009

davzierse said:
Check out DRAWCOLLAR.COM to eliminate draw/draft issues!

While not saying the OP has done this, could davzierse please explain how this device would help if a wood stove user is burning less than fully seasoned wood all season, has not swept their chimney all season and has not cleaned their cap all season? Also, could davzierae explain how a top down cleaning (with clean out in the tee or fallout directly into the firebox) could be accomplished with this device installed in the way?

Shari

begreen · Mar 10, 2009

Spam is not good for woodstoves or flues. It will clog the pipes and the forum, please stop.

DAKSY · Mar 10, 2009

davzierse said:
Check out DRAWCOLLAR.COM to eliminate draw/draft issues!

How do suppose he's going to install this on a double wall SL300 series wood vent buried in a chase?
Ain't gonna happen...

Adios Pantalones · Mar 10, 2009

Warmer weather- you might get less draft, but it's prolly schmutz in the pipe/cap.

bemiller2006 · Mar 10, 2009

Thanks for the replies everyone.

This is the first season with the stove, it has been wonderful.

I'll try and get up there tomorrow after this midwestern snow storm and check it out.

I cannot remember how the cap is constructed, it seems that there is smoke coming from the bottom of the collar (bigger round holes) and not making it up to the vertical louver type around the circumference.

oak194 · Mar 11, 2009

Jtp is right check the cap, i I had the same thing happen, the crappy cap clogged on me. Compared to my old selkirk pipe this sl-300 cap has much smaller gaps in it. Most of my cap was plugged and smoke came rolling out the door just as the OP described. 4 or 5 screws and a wire brush and all was fixed in 10 mins.

bemiller2006 · Mar 11, 2009

Ok ... went up and the cap was plugged exactly like everyone explained.

Took the 4 screws off, wire brush and problem solved.

Fire is ripping good hot now !! (With some good seasoned Oak from father n law.)

Thanks everyone !

karri0n · Mar 11, 2009

Another happy customer.

Search

Search

Northstar ... suddenly not drafting.

bemiller2006

New Member

begreen

Mooderator

jtp10181

Minister of Fire

davzierse

New Member

North of 60

Minister of Fire

Shari

Minister of Fire

begreen

Mooderator

DAKSY

Full Time RVer

Adios Pantalones

Minister of Fire

bemiller2006

New Member

oak194

Member

bemiller2006

New Member

karri0n

New Member

Similar threads