"old Appalachian 30-CD" newbie needs help

[southernnewbie]

Newbie here -- I know nothing about wood stoves but a year ago we moved into a house with (and I quote Appalachian's customer service rep) a "old Appalachian 30-Cd" (serial #16957) and I am frankly having issues with it.

I can't get wood to burn and it certainly could be the quality/dryness of the wood (I live in an area that until last winter had relatively mild winters and I have been used to using gas logs) but I can't get a good burn with the door open but the moment I close it...GONE!

I do get some smoke into the room when I open the door and the downstairs smells pretty heavy with smoke. It has been very windy here and I have had a few smoke puffs through the vents when the doors are closed...any suggestions??

 

[kevalmiller]

I'm a newbie too, but from what you've said, it sounds like your wood is too wet, or perhaps you don't have a good hot coal bed. Are you starting out with paper & kindling, and then working up to larger logs? If you get a really nice bed of coals it helps to ignite and burn the larger logs when you add them. Here's a good video on starting a fire safely: