Bit of smoke coming out of air inlet on startup

[burnt03]

Let the stove go totally cold yesterday, tried a startup this morning and got a bit of smoke coming out of the air inlet at first. Cleared up after a few seconds.

Last time I swept chimney was Mar 10, haven't been burning full time since then.

41 outside, 59 in basement where stove is. Did I just have a slug of cold air making it's way down the chimney?

 

[begreen]

Sounds like it may have been. You may have slightly negative pressure in the basement. Did anyone have an exhaust fan running at the time? Are you getting a lot of wind from this new system coming through?

 

[burnt03]

No exhaust fan or wind. Forgot to mention I have an oversized masonry chimney, that can negatively affect the draft at startup too right?

 

[begreen]

Definitely, especially if there is no insulated, stainless liner in it. What's the tile size in the chimney?

 

[burnt03]

Definitely, especially if there is no insulated, stainless liner in it. What's the tile size in the chimney?

6 x 10

 

[begreen]

Could be worse. How tall is the chimney and how frequently are you needing to clean it? Also, is there a cleanout door at the base of the chimney? If yes, is it gasketed for a tight seal?

 

[burnt03]

It's around 21' tall, cleanout door at bottom outside is gasketed and have a chunk of roxul stuffed inside too (as per the sweep's advice).

First year burning so I've been cleaning once a month. Gotten as much as a ice bucket (dec - jan) and as little as a 1/4 ice cream bucket (feb-mar).

 

[begreen]

Warming up the chimney would help a lot. It could be surrounded with an insulated chase or maybe a 5.5" liner dropped down it.

 

[DexterDay]

I only start cold a couple times a year. And when I do (6" Class A running 18 ft up the side of house) I often get a little smoke out the primary.

I added an OAK this year and cured that problem. It was less than $40 and works like a charm