New Stove Smoke / Burn off

[jeff in pa]

All,

In my search for a new stove I have narrowed down to Jotul Oslo. I'd like to get this installed ASAP, this winter.

My question is how much smoke / smell should I expect from a new cast iron stove. Since it will likely be in the 20's to 30's here opening the windows for long periods of time seems less than desirable! Another option would be to go with the blue/black porcelain which I like from an aesthetic and durability perspective but the extra $$ starts to add up. (short leg kit, screen to keep the wife happy, etc...) My understanding from reading here is that I should have less smoke / smell during burn in from the porcelain.

Or...

Maybe I'm making to big a stink out of all of this?

Opinions / thoughts?

Jeff in PA

 

[wahoowad]

I remember a little acrid smell of paint curing the first real fire or two in my Jotul 3CB, but not enough that I opened all the windows.

 

[jeff in pa]

Thanks for the reply!

Was the mild smell on your Jotul on a cast iron only or porcelain coated stove?

Jeff in PA

 

[MrGriz]

Jeff, I don't know how much help this will be, since I have a steel insert, but I'll throw it out anyway.

When we had our first few break in fires, the smell and smoke was definitely noticable but not overpowering. I did crack a window or two in the room with the insert for the first fire, but did not need to beyond that. I can't imagine that cast would be that much different.

Edit: By the way, would you send some of that warm 20 - 30* air this way ;-)

 

[jeff in pa]

Thanks for the feedback.

I guess cold is relative!

FWIW, it is supposed to be 0 F here Monday and Tuesday nights! This is a predicted 10 year low in fact.

Cold enough for me!

Jeff in PA

 

[Corie]

Jeff,

When doing the break in burns on our stove, I'd say the aroma was there for the first two or three firings. If you keep the first few fires small, which you have to do because of the cast iron anyway, the smell stays low key. After the few break in fires, we would occasionally catch a wiff of the new stove burn off smell when the things was getting into the high temperature region, but even that only lasted for a few weeks. Now I can't remember the last time we've smelled it.

 

[begreen]

We have the blue-black enamel (the 3CB was blue-black also) and really love it. Jotul does an excellent job. There was virtually no smoking with either new stove and no odor past the break in fires. The enamel stoves are much easier to keep looking new, year after year. Ash and dust just wipe off. Also improves resale value.

I'd forgoe the screen option instead. Almost anyone who buys one, doesn't use it after trying it out a few times. And you can always get one later. Can't do that with the enamel.

 

[restorer]

To borrow a quote and twist a little:

Ah, I love the smell of a new stove in the morning