I have a Quadrafire 5100 ACC fireplace insert that came with the house I bought 3 years ago. Since then I've replaced the blanket and tubes and a few of the bricks. Everything was burning fine until end of the season last year. At that time it seemed like the fireplace was not getting any air intake as the air controls at the bottom right, which are supposed to control air coming in the front and rear channels, didn't seem to make a difference and the fire would only run as if I had the controls closed. Over the summer I took all of the brick out and the blower out and vacuumed and cleaned as much as I could. I tried starting a fire tonight and have smoke backing up into the insert and smothering the kindling out. Before starting the fire I ran a hair dryer into the flue and chimney for about 5 minutes which typically does the trick preventing a downdraft. I think I let the ashes get too high last year before this issue started and maybe one of the intake air chambers has gotten ashes in there and blocking the flow. Any ideas on how I can check for and make sure the intake is not blocked and how to clean them out? Either that or someone in the Roanoke, VA are who works on these things?
Quadrafire 5100 ACC smokes and cant get fire started
- Thread starter bookel
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
I bet it's plugged, especially if the wood burned was not fully seasoned.
Definitely seasoned. I ordered a chimney cleaning kit off Vevor and supposed to be here next Thursday. I'll report back after I clean the chimney.
You might want to do a visual inspection also. If your chimney is clogged after a single season, there’s a chance there’s glaze creosote in there. Brushes don’t work well to remove that.
Yes, and there are other causes for plugging, including a nest in there, liner collapse or fishmouth inside if it is 2 ply.
Finally got the chimney swept. First pick is what was sitting on top of the thermal blanket. Second picture is the firebox after I removed the tube and blanket and swept he chimney. It definitely needed cleaning.
After cleaning I put the blanket and tubes back in. I started a fire just with cardboard to see how it would go. Box filled up with smoke again. I took the blanket and baffle boards out today and did a fire with cardboard again and it still filled the box with smoke. I'll get in the fireplace and shine a light in the chimney tomorrow to see if there is any obstruction but I doubt it since the sweep went up the chimney with no resistance.
The chimney from the fireplace is about 20 feet. I've always had to heat the chimney once the fireplace is cold and its always been a pain. I use a hair dryer but it takes a couple of minutes . I think my issues is getting the chimney warm to prevent a downdraft plus its fairly windy where I am at. Any tips on getting the chimney warm? Something better than a hair dryer? I've heard of a chimney cap for windy areas that rotates in the wind to prevent the wind causing a downdraft. Anyone hear have experience with this?
After cleaning I put the blanket and tubes back in. I started a fire just with cardboard to see how it would go. Box filled up with smoke again. I took the blanket and baffle boards out today and did a fire with cardboard again and it still filled the box with smoke. I'll get in the fireplace and shine a light in the chimney tomorrow to see if there is any obstruction but I doubt it since the sweep went up the chimney with no resistance.
The chimney from the fireplace is about 20 feet. I've always had to heat the chimney once the fireplace is cold and its always been a pain. I use a hair dryer but it takes a couple of minutes . I think my issues is getting the chimney warm to prevent a downdraft plus its fairly windy where I am at. Any tips on getting the chimney warm? Something better than a hair dryer? I've heard of a chimney cap for windy areas that rotates in the wind to prevent the wind causing a downdraft. Anyone hear have experience with this?
Attachments
![[Hearth.com] Quadrafire 5100 ACC smokes and cant get fire started](/talk/data/attachments/341/341919-622d44a5ecd1002c083e7258c68ec8bf.jpg?hash=NBfDLhfCnc)
![[Hearth.com] Quadrafire 5100 ACC smokes and cant get fire started](/talk/data/attachments/341/341920-8ab99084864c74ed845234472bef2762.jpg?hash=a5ISaD5cqK)
Burnin Since 1991
Member
I've seen those wind/swivel caps online, but I don't know anyone around my way that has one.
Have you tried lighting your fire top down? My stove seems to run better when I do a top down start.
Search it online and there are even videos to show you better than I can explain.
Have you tried lighting your fire top down? My stove seems to run better when I do a top down start.
Search it online and there are even videos to show you better than I can explain.
When I had a hard to start chimney I used to load the firebox with crinkled newspaper and then light that off. The blast of hot air would prime the chimney. As that burnt down I’d load the wood and then light that.
Blow torch.
Our last house was a windy location and I found the wind would increase draft so much so that I’d have to throttle the stove back to totally closed, even when starting a fire. I’d guess different cap designs could affect the chimney draft?
You didn’t mention if the cap was plugged?
Our last house was a windy location and I found the wind would increase draft so much so that I’d have to throttle the stove back to totally closed, even when starting a fire. I’d guess different cap designs could affect the chimney draft?
You didn’t mention if the cap was plugged?
It might or might not be an obstruction. Look for liner failure, especially if 2 ply. Also look for air getting into the liner especially where it connects to the insert.
I go on the roof yesterday and removed the cap. I was not plugged. I had my daughter hold a light where the smoke exits the insert into the flue. I was able to see the light from the rooftop looking down into the chimney. I wasn't able to see it directly but was able to see it. Its as if the liner turns to connect to the fireplace insert at the very bottom and the hole into the insert is just out of site. I'd have thought it would have been a straight shot but maybe not.
I may just have to pay for a chimney inspection to check out the liner.
I may just have to pay for a chimney inspection to check out the liner.
What’s your outside temp? How tall is your chimney? You stated your wood was definitely seasoned, what is your definition of seasoned?
Woodsplitter67
Minister of Fire
it's good that you did the cleaning. Your in VA it's been warm. I suspect that draft is week because of the outside temperature. I'm north of you and I know my draft has been on the week side, your south of me so it's definitely the same for you. Try lighting the stove Tuesday night after the front moves through. I bet you see a big difference
Similar threads
