Hi all,
Last October my Lopi Republic 1750 insert was installed last October. It's in an all-brick hearth with a 6" stainless liner insulated in a wrap. The hearth sits in an external chimney. Around the 6" insulated liner is a bunch of roxul stuffed up into the broader chimney to help insulate/slow air movement outside of the liner.
I ran my stove all last year, with exception of a few weeks. The first week of running was accompanied by the usual "curing" smell and then it ran all season with no real smell.
This year, the first time it fired up (November) it had a light smell. No big deal.
Since then, I've run a fire almost everyday and usually running to 650-700 degrees at least once a day. It's not unusual to get a really hot run of 725-750 for 30-60 minutes once or twice a week either.
Recently, when running hot (600-700) I'm getting a very distinct chemical smell. It's not pleasant, but it doesn't force you from the room either. You can smell it coming from the stove through the air coming out from the blower - turning the blower up or down affects the potency of the smell.
Today, I ran it for hours at 400-500 with no smell. I then load it full of oak and get it cranking - 600-650 stove top.
BAM - the smell is the most powerful it's ever been. If I stay in the room, I feel a bit lightheaded from it. Carbon monoxide detector (LED read) isn't showing anything, so I'm not super concerned safety wise.
I have no idea what this could be. I'm burning oak, cherry, and pine and have a good strong draft. I had minor creosote build-up inside the stove from a week of crappier burning, but that' sit.
I'm going to try to get my sweep out here for a mid-winter sweep & inspection, but I'd welcome any advice in the meantime.
Thanks all,
Joe
Last October my Lopi Republic 1750 insert was installed last October. It's in an all-brick hearth with a 6" stainless liner insulated in a wrap. The hearth sits in an external chimney. Around the 6" insulated liner is a bunch of roxul stuffed up into the broader chimney to help insulate/slow air movement outside of the liner.
I ran my stove all last year, with exception of a few weeks. The first week of running was accompanied by the usual "curing" smell and then it ran all season with no real smell.
This year, the first time it fired up (November) it had a light smell. No big deal.
Since then, I've run a fire almost everyday and usually running to 650-700 degrees at least once a day. It's not unusual to get a really hot run of 725-750 for 30-60 minutes once or twice a week either.
Recently, when running hot (600-700) I'm getting a very distinct chemical smell. It's not pleasant, but it doesn't force you from the room either. You can smell it coming from the stove through the air coming out from the blower - turning the blower up or down affects the potency of the smell.
Today, I ran it for hours at 400-500 with no smell. I then load it full of oak and get it cranking - 600-650 stove top.
BAM - the smell is the most powerful it's ever been. If I stay in the room, I feel a bit lightheaded from it. Carbon monoxide detector (LED read) isn't showing anything, so I'm not super concerned safety wise.
I have no idea what this could be. I'm burning oak, cherry, and pine and have a good strong draft. I had minor creosote build-up inside the stove from a week of crappier burning, but that' sit.
I'm going to try to get my sweep out here for a mid-winter sweep & inspection, but I'd welcome any advice in the meantime.
Thanks all,
Joe