Majestic Direct Vent Gas Fireplace DV360, DV580 smell issues!

[MMWisco12]

I had given up all hope on an easy solution to our Majestic fireplace. I stumbled upon this site today with hopes I can get some closure to our problem after many years of frustration.

To set the stage, we built our house in 2008. This gas Majestic fireplace was installed (manual says Direct Vent Gas Fireplace; Models: DV360, DV580). We were told on the initial fire up that we would need to run it continuous for hours to burn off whatever oils and other surface materials that will cause a smell. We subsequently did this for a couple of hours the first run. The smell was unbearable and we were concerned for our health. Since we moved in during winter of 2008, we weren't running this super long with people in the house or when we couldn't open windows. We tried to run it normal afterwards a few times that winter until the smell got so bad in 30 minutes we would turn it off. The next year came, and the next and each year for the first few, we'd have the same results each time we would run it. We simply quit using it. When we spoke to the builder several times, they insisted we keep running to burn the oils, etc. Again, the smell was so bad each time. Honestly this went on for years. We had 2 fireplace contractors look at it and say nothing is wrong. They couldn't tell what the problem was. About 5 years ago, we ran it in the early summer with all the windows open for a few hours. Still a horrible smell throughout the house.

I wish we had pursued this harder with the builder a LONG time ago, but life has a way of flying by quickly. Before you know it, we are 17 years past the install and we've never enjoyed a fire without the house smelling. Each time we're told to run it long to burn the smell. If I had to guess, we probably ran it a total 20 hours intermittently to achieve this goal with no luck.

What are we doing wrong or what might be the problem? Has anyone else experienced a similar issue or an issue with this Majestic fireplace?

Thank you!

 

[Lennox65]

I had given up all hope on an easy solution to our Majestic fireplace. I stumbled upon this site today with hopes I can get some closure to our problem after many years of frustration.

To set the stage, we built our house in 2008. This gas Majestic fireplace was installed (manual says Direct Vent Gas Fireplace; Models: DV360, DV580). We were told on the initial fire up that we would need to run it continuous for hours to burn off whatever oils and other surface materials that will cause a smell. We subsequently did this for a couple of hours the first run. The smell was unbearable and we were concerned for our health. Since we moved in during winter of 2008, we weren't running this super long with people in the house or when we couldn't open windows. We tried to run it normal afterwards a few times that winter until the smell got so bad in 30 minutes we would turn it off. The next year came, and the next and each year for the first few, we'd have the same results each time we would run it. We simply quit using it. When we spoke to the builder several times, they insisted we keep running to burn the oils, etc. Again, the smell was so bad each time. Honestly this went on for years. We had 2 fireplace contractors look at it and say nothing is wrong. They couldn't tell what the problem was. About 5 years ago, we ran it in the early summer with all the windows open for a few hours. Still a horrible smell throughout the house.

I wish we had pursued this harder with the builder a LONG time ago, but life has a way of flying by quickly. Before you know it, we are 17 years past the install and we've never enjoyed a fire without the house smelling. Each time we're told to run it long to burn the smell. If I had to guess, we probably ran it a total 20 hours intermittently to achieve this goal with no luck.

What are we doing wrong or what might be the problem? Has anyone else experienced a similar issue or an issue with this Majestic fireplace?

Thank you!

The problem may be that the "Burn In" period can be up to 8 hours continuous on the highest setting. The cumulative total (an hour or at a time, multiple times, doesn't achieve the proper amount of continuous use required to fully "Burn it in".

With that being said, even after it is properly burned in, there will always be some odor every time that you use it. The convection design of the fireplace pushes warm air out and this heated air picks up dust and dander and it moves through the pressure system of the house.

Some people are more sensitive to it than others. I have been at customer complaints where they tell me that they get splitting headaches every time that the fireplace runs. I will sit right in front of the fireplace for 30 mins and not have any reaction.

 

[Millbilly]

What's the top of the firebox look like? And dust or sawdust from the construction? I find all sorts of things tucked inside fireplaces that melt: nerf gun darts, greeting cards. I've even found magnetic plastic flashlight from servicing inside one all melted. Melted wires. Really take a good look all around it especially on top of the firebox

 

[MMWisco12]

Thank you both the quick reply.

I'll be honest, I don't understand the difference of continuous running for 8 hours vs intermittent running, but I will give that a try! I've been in many Wisconsin homes with gas fireplaces and don't recall any smell. Hopefully we will get this fixed and it won't have lingering effects.

As for the fireplace itself, it's in the wall so I can't access the guts. At least I have not tried to look for screws, but the two contractors who looked at it thoroughly, didn't ever find anything. I do remember asking that. I wish they had mentioned running for 8hrs. Perhaps it could have solved our problem over a decade ago.

I'll provide updates once we do this. Thank you!

 

[scso1502]

Hey MMWisco12, did you ever get this resolved. I have a new Majestic Majic II fireplace and I’m having a similar problem.

I burned this thing very hot and on the first burn and within a hour or so, my house filled with smoke and an absolutely horrible smell that was just terrible. I was never told this would happen and I was forced to open every window in my house to the Montana winds and 10 degree outside air to ventilate the place. It was unbearable.

Since I already was committed this point, I put a coat on and kept the fire nice and hot hoping all the crap would burn off once and for all. I ran it that way for hours. My neighbors probably had quite a sight to seeing me bundled up in front of the TV with all the windows open and the fireplace roaring!

During the next day or two, there was a little smoke and the smell faded away, except……

I had an optional factory auxiliary fan installed that is ducted through a wall behind the fireplace. My fireplace is in my living room and this fan blows warm air down my hallway and into my bedrooms. This would be great except for the fact that the air provided through the auxiliary fan duct still smells terrible, even without the auxiliary fan running. It stinks up my hallway and bedrooms even after daily running the fireplace for 2+ weeks. I ended up covering the duct and I’m waiting for the installer to come see what’s going on. The odd thing is, the main fan on the front of the unit puts out nice clean air. It’s only the rear fan duct that smells bad.

So I was just curious if you ever resolved your issue in case it may lead to me address mine.

Happy Holidays from Montana.