flame shoots up towards hopper shute

[kserr]

HI

I have a St Croix EXP I'm a new burner so inexperienced to this. I have one concern, sometimes on start up before the stove fan turns on for the heat the flames seem to want to shoot up towards the hopper shute this makes me a little uncomfortable could this start the hopper on fire? Someone said its because its searching for air but I'm vented vertical about 16 feet through the roof and also have a fresh air vent. Once the room blower comes on it seems to straighten out. Is this common?

 

[dave1966]

i dont have a st criox but mine will do that to and when the fan kicks on straitens right out

 

[Xena]

Mine will do it briefly also so I think it's common.
Once the fire is going it evens out. I've had no troubles
in the past 4 years and my stove runs 24/7 throughout the heating season.