I have a Hearthstone Morgan fireplace insert that is about three years old. Other than an annoying vibration from time to time in the blower I have been happy with this insert and it seems to run well. I've been burning a mix of pine and various hardwoods. With my elcheapo moisture meter the wood is all around 20% or lower. Problems started a couple of days ago. A large amount of smoke is building up in the insert and doesn't seem to be drafting properly. At first I thought I just had some wood in there that was bad, and was smoldering but using good wood it still happens. When the door to the insert is opened smoke seems to drift off the top of the insert and up into the room. My boyfriend read something on here and cracked upon the door for 30 seconds and then opened it all of the way and not only smoke but flames came shooting off the top (inside) of the insert into the house! Scary. Could we have damaged something inside the insert that would cause this sort of reaction, such as the baffles along the top? All other conditions, such as weather, etc are the same.
A quick visual inspection doesn't reveal anything obvious, such as cracks or missing pieces. I've never taken anything apart in there, but am game to give it a go, if it will help find a solution to the problem. Any ideas or help would be great. Thanks. Johanna
A quick visual inspection doesn't reveal anything obvious, such as cracks or missing pieces. I've never taken anything apart in there, but am game to give it a go, if it will help find a solution to the problem. Any ideas or help would be great. Thanks. Johanna