I've been using the same original VT castings Parlor Furnace model 1A1 since I moved into our home 35 yrs ago. There have always been very occasional puff-backs under certain atmospheric conditions, but generally the stove operates well. Last winter, we started getting smoke in the house, sometimes from puff-backs, but just as often, it's unexplained. This happens essentially every time we fire up the stove. It's driving me nuts trying to diagnose and solve the issue.
I've cleaned the chimney, and a visual inspection shows it unobstructed. The flue is lined with rectangular clay (12x8?). I've thoroughly cleaned the stove and pipe. This includes vacuuming out the air intake holes, and behind the fireback. The fireback itself has been replaced 2x and is in good shape. This year, I replaced all the door gaskets and inspected the entire stove.
The only change I can think of is that through the years, we've tightened up the house (log home). A few years ago we added a pretty tight addition and replaced some old windows and doors. My first thought was that we aren't getting enough replacement air, so I tried cracking a nearby window (self defeating in cold weather). The house is still getting smoky. When I open the stove door to add wood, the smoke is still going up the chimney, appearing like there is a good draft. The chimney is in the center of the house, and I've sniffed around all exposed areas trying to detect leaks, but I really think the smoke is coming from the stove itself. I know there must be something I'm missing, but I'm running out of ideas. Why now after 35 years of great operation? Any suggestions are welcome.
I've cleaned the chimney, and a visual inspection shows it unobstructed. The flue is lined with rectangular clay (12x8?). I've thoroughly cleaned the stove and pipe. This includes vacuuming out the air intake holes, and behind the fireback. The fireback itself has been replaced 2x and is in good shape. This year, I replaced all the door gaskets and inspected the entire stove.
The only change I can think of is that through the years, we've tightened up the house (log home). A few years ago we added a pretty tight addition and replaced some old windows and doors. My first thought was that we aren't getting enough replacement air, so I tried cracking a nearby window (self defeating in cold weather). The house is still getting smoky. When I open the stove door to add wood, the smoke is still going up the chimney, appearing like there is a good draft. The chimney is in the center of the house, and I've sniffed around all exposed areas trying to detect leaks, but I really think the smoke is coming from the stove itself. I know there must be something I'm missing, but I'm running out of ideas. Why now after 35 years of great operation? Any suggestions are welcome.
