Q&A smoke puffing from Jotul Firelight

Question:

Hi, We are in the process of trying to figure out why our Jotul Firelight is puffing smoke from the top loading area. We have replaced the gaskets on the top where you insert the logs. The stove is running in the right temperatures.



Answer:

I bet your puffing is due to incomplete combustion of the gases emitted from your wood. This can happen with catalytic stoves when you close the bypass damper before you allow newly loaded wood into the firebox to "really get going". You should use a stovetop thermometer to gauge when to close the damper (around 400 degrees and when there is a robust fire going). If there is a sluggish fire, the gases coming off the wood sometimes combust rapidly, finding it hard to exhaust out through the catalyst and thus will go our the top load door. Also, make sure you are using dry wood.