Hey all, last year we installed a Summers Heat epa smartstove woodstove. This year when operating and having the "air" closed off, every now and then it will "burp" and flames with appear and then we will smell smoke in the house. What is causing this? Also, if it is all closed, why are we smelling smoke in the house? Thanks.
Help with stove and smoke
- Thread starter jorswift
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Never had any issues last year. Wood should be seasoned as it has been split and under shed for a few years. Chimney is 15'+ and have 4' of double wall pipe into 90. Also temps were around 30 this AM, but was around 40s when this happened.
SpaceBus
Minister of Fire
The stove is not supposed to be operated in a way that there are no flames in the box, unless the fuel has been consumed.
It's called a puffback. This happens when the fire is smoldering, with no flame. Wood gases and smoke build-up in the firebox, then a tiny flame erupts and ignites this mix causing a small (or sometimes not so small) explosion.
In this case, the flue setup may be contributing to the issue, but most likely there is some wetter wood in the mix and/or the air has been closed down too far causing the flame to go out. Another thing to check is the chimney cap if it has a screen. This could be a sign that it is plugging up, weakening draft, so that the prior air control setting is now insufficient. Or the species of wood is much denser needing more air.
In this case, the flue setup may be contributing to the issue, but most likely there is some wetter wood in the mix and/or the air has been closed down too far causing the flame to go out. Another thing to check is the chimney cap if it has a screen. This could be a sign that it is plugging up, weakening draft, so that the prior air control setting is now insufficient. Or the species of wood is much denser needing more air.
Thank you. I will check out the cap. I did put 1/2” galvanized wire around it during summer as birds were coming in. I wouldn’t think 1/2” would plug already. But will check it. Thanks for the info.
edyit
Minister of Fire
do you have the air control pulled all the way out? (fully closed) i usually run mine (my stove, my set, they're all unique) with the air at 3/4 fully closed, if i fully close it it'll smolder and back puff as you described.
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