Still learning, as we've only had our PE Super LE since last March - so less than a full season of burning. I'm wondering if we're (over)due for a chimney sweep or if there's another issue that needs to be addressed in the insert itself. Apologies for the extra detail below, perhaps another newbie like me will find it useful:
Lately I've been noticing that starting the fire is getting harder, esp. if the firebox & flue are still warm (but not hot). Even with the door open an inch, there's more smoke the first minute or two than I recall before, and occasionally I need a 2nd or even 3rd attempt, with some extra birch bark or paper. Once it gets going, it all seems normal and easy after that.
I climbed on the roof and took a look down the chimney. Some build-up (<1/8"?) of very soft soot, fairly consistent along the length of the flue, dark grey or almost black - but nothing creosote-like.
We don't burn 24/7 - we find it gets too hot on most winter days - but we only do colder starts maybe 1-2 a week (if that), after emptying the slightly-glowing ashes, so even then the flue is not truly cold. The rest of the time I restart the fire on a hot bed of coals in the mornings, and maybe again in late afternoon - and in those cases it is easy with a few thicker pieces of kindling, and the fire burns well after that. But it makes me wonder whether 1) these daily re-starts contribute to more soot and poor airflow, or 2) if it's my tendency to burn at a lower intensity (smaller loads, with secondary flames but not very vigorous), or 3) both.
We have an external chimney, and burn a mix of well seasoned and some decently seasoned hardwood (maple, birch, beech, ash) - I'd say about 2/3 of that not optimally dry yet, though I don't know moisture content. We've gone through about 3-4 cords of wood since the insert was installed... perhaps going a full season is too long between sweeps?
Lately I've been noticing that starting the fire is getting harder, esp. if the firebox & flue are still warm (but not hot). Even with the door open an inch, there's more smoke the first minute or two than I recall before, and occasionally I need a 2nd or even 3rd attempt, with some extra birch bark or paper. Once it gets going, it all seems normal and easy after that.
I climbed on the roof and took a look down the chimney. Some build-up (<1/8"?) of very soft soot, fairly consistent along the length of the flue, dark grey or almost black - but nothing creosote-like.
We don't burn 24/7 - we find it gets too hot on most winter days - but we only do colder starts maybe 1-2 a week (if that), after emptying the slightly-glowing ashes, so even then the flue is not truly cold. The rest of the time I restart the fire on a hot bed of coals in the mornings, and maybe again in late afternoon - and in those cases it is easy with a few thicker pieces of kindling, and the fire burns well after that. But it makes me wonder whether 1) these daily re-starts contribute to more soot and poor airflow, or 2) if it's my tendency to burn at a lower intensity (smaller loads, with secondary flames but not very vigorous), or 3) both.
We have an external chimney, and burn a mix of well seasoned and some decently seasoned hardwood (maple, birch, beech, ash) - I'd say about 2/3 of that not optimally dry yet, though I don't know moisture content. We've gone through about 3-4 cords of wood since the insert was installed... perhaps going a full season is too long between sweeps?
), following some useful forum advice on how to remove a PE Super LE baffle.
(in my defense, I was also dealing with a flooded garage thanks to all the rain & thaw).
