Hello. I have a new central boiler classic. All is running well with it. Just have one question. When i open the stove door to load it, it smokes quite a bit. Is there anything i can do about that? To maybe lesson the amount of smoke coming out the door when loading. Thanks for the help.
Central boiler smoking a lot
- Thread starter ctharry
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
maple1
Minister of Fire
Maybe don't load until it is down to a coal bed, and do it quick? About all I got. Some just smoke regardless of what you do.
Eureka
Feeling the Heat
Not really much you can do. The exhaust is designed to capture heat not send it all up the chimney so the smoke bath is the trade off. You can try to catch it on an idle cycle but that’d be hard to do every time.
I don't think I've ever seen a sentence with the words "Central Boiler" in it that didn't also have the word "smoke" in it.
Bad LP
Minister of Fire
brenndatomu
Minister of Fire
I was gonna say, "so its working normal then", but I like yours better!
Only way to avoid it is to either install a draft inducer to suck air through the firebox or load when it's burnt down to coals and be quick as it's going to start burning the new wood and creating more smoke.
brenndatomu
Minister of Fire
Sure fire way of getting rid of the smoke issue is get rid of the Central water heater.
Or keep it and the smoke.
Not a lot of Central fans in here.Or in my town.There is a big one behind a motel in town smokes out a subdivision because of the winds.Goes through a couple of B trains of wood a winter and i still have to deliver oil to them.It's like driving through China on my way to work.
Or keep it and the smoke.
Not a lot of Central fans in here.Or in my town.There is a big one behind a motel in town smokes out a subdivision because of the winds.Goes through a couple of B trains of wood a winter and i still have to deliver oil to them.It's like driving through China on my way to work.
Silly question here - if your boiler is outside why is the smoke an issue? The indoor boiler users care about smoke primarily because it ends up inside the house. If I had an outdoor boiler I'm not sure I'd care too terribly much if it was smoking during loading. Especially if there was a bunch of wood still in the firebox. Just curious why this would be an issue.
Eureka
Feeling the Heat
I'd say its the 'whether you want it or not' smoked sausage cologne that it provides while loading. That coupled with burning and watering eyes.
You figure it's that much smoke? Seems hard to imagine unless he's loading it with a half full firebox? Though what do I know. I loaded my firebox in my boxers...
Bad LP
Minister of Fire
Isn't it great!! It was below 0 every morning last weekend. So glad the boiler is in the basement.
Yeah it's definitely that much smoke. I've been burning a small fire in mine to get a coal bed then loading for the batch burn. If I don't load quickly, it definitely starts spilling smoke like crazy. Watery eyes for sure.
I know people with OWB's that carry that stench with them. It's about as obnoxious as cigarette smoke...but I do understand there's not much you can do other than hurry up and load..
If it were my money I'd invest in a cheapo "boiler loading jacket" and some goggles. How badass will you look loading your OWB with full-on swimming/diving goggles? Ha. In all seriousness you're already outside to load the boiler. I bet some low cost PPE and a cheapo sweater/jacket could solve all your stink/vision problems.
maple1
Minister of Fire
Smoke smell permeates everything. I don't think an extra coat would help a whole bunch.
Style points aside.
Style points aside.
I played Santa Clause when I worked part time at JJ Newberrys in the 50s. Many of the kids smelled like kerosene.
I have a Classic Edge 350 (different design from the Classic) and while the smoke is part of the design of a down drafting OWB, it's normally not that bad on mine. Worst I usually have to do it stand back as I open the door, then wait 5-10 seconds for the smoke to clear, unless the wind is blowing directly opposite the door.
I know the larger (550, 750) Classic Edge models have a bypass door that vents the fire box directly out the chimney, so you can open pull the bypass open and let the accumulated smoke vent out the chimney before you open the door. Does your unit not have that?
I know the larger (550, 750) Classic Edge models have a bypass door that vents the fire box directly out the chimney, so you can open pull the bypass open and let the accumulated smoke vent out the chimney before you open the door. Does your unit not have that?
Similar threads
