Napoleon NZ3000 Dirty Glass

[JGF56]

Our NZ3000 (about 2 years old) develops soot/creosote on the right side glass every time we use the fireplace. Pattern is always the same- wide at the bottom of the door glass tapering to nothing at the top. Always on the right side door only. Usually occurs within a few hours after lighting. I have to clean this glass after every use but clean the left one only a few times during the season. Burn only well seasoned ash with hot fires. Use the external blower option.

Anybody have any ideas on why this occurs and how to fix it? Air wash problem? Thanks

 

[EatenByLimestone]

You have an air leak at the door. Check the seal with the dollar bill test. A search will give you countless writeup on it. If the door can not be adjusted, a new gasket is the next step.

 

[JGF56]

Thanks for the reply. I tried the Dollar Bill Test and the right door (the one that soots up) was actually a bit tighter than the left one. I did adjust both doors and made them tighter. Made a fire last evening and same result (right door dirty - left clear) but I would say it was a somewhar better, however it is still noticeably different one side verses the other.
As I was studying the fire, it seemed that the left side of the fire burned different from the right. Could this have something to do with the air flow from the outside makeup air being out of balance somehow (or restricted on the right side) which also effects the air wash over the door? I can't seem to find anything in the manual or online about how the air flow in this fireplace works. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[begreen]

How does the glass gasket look on the right door? Is it properly in place. Can the glass be moved or is it being held firmly in place by the clips?

 

[BenTN]

Do you start your fires with the door or doors cracked? I see this on my left door, right door opens first on our stratford, when i start a fire or do a warm reload and leave the door cracked until it catches. It usually doesnt build up bad until about a week later, but i think these starts contribute. I have cleaner glass for longer if i always keep the door closed during cold starts and reloads.

 

[GaryP]

Jgf56, have you solved the dirty glass problem? We just installed the nz3000h and have not yet figured out how to prevent the build up. For us it’s both almost equally, however. I’ve burned the fires hot, but the problem seems to happen in the early morning when the fire is burning down.

 

[Maui Time]

Jgf56, have you solved the dirty glass problem? We just installed the nz3000h and have not yet figured out how to prevent the build up. For us it’s both almost equally, however. I’ve burned the fires hot, but the problem seems to happen in the early morning when the fire is burning down.

Newbie to this forum. Sorry to resurrect this thread but I have had the same NZ3000 insert for 3 years with continual dirty glass issues. I have replaced the gaskets twice. The left door glass is always dirtier quicker than the right. I have tried the dollar bill test and it is always hard to pull out anywhere. I tried a slightly oversized gasket the last time to no success. It takes about 3 overnight fires until both doors are pretty much completely sooted over. Going into another winter where I love the fires, any more thoughts to rectify the issues? Thanks.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

How much moisture is in your wood. Are you getting secondary burns? How tall is your chimney? Is it lined?

 

[Maui Time]

How much moisture is in your wood. Are you getting secondary burns? How tall is your chimney? Is it lined?

Low moisture, under 10%. Chimney is about 30' tall. It is lined. Yes, we are getting secondary burns.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

When you burn it on high, do you soot up? It may just be a feature of burning low and slow with a cat stove.

 

[Maui Time]

When you burn it on high, do you soot up? It may just be a feature of burning low and slow with a cat stove.

It soots up slower when it is a hot fire but soots up none the less.