Shelborne smoking

[suzannedunning]

Hi guys- I am in search of some advice… I I’m going into my second season with my Shelburne Hearthstone stove. I am using seasoned dry hardwood, but we live in a moist climate so it can only get so dry?

My problem is that unless the stove is running optimally, I can’t open the door without the whole room filling with smoke. We already added pipe to the chimney, but it’s a small house with a low roof.

Additionally, the pipe has a 45° bend in it. I’m on the verge of pulling the stove out and getting another one even though I spent $13,000 installing this stove! It seems like for this price. This thing should work better and I should be able to enjoy having a woodstove.

I guess the question is are these stoves faulty or do we need to somehow figure out how to change its position so there isn’t a 45° bend in the pipe? Or is there something wrong? It’s operated like this since I got it so it doesn’t seem like anything is clogged. Thanks so much

 

[EbS-P]

Hi guys- I am in search of some advice… I I’m going into my second season with my Shelburne Hearthstone stove. I am using seasoned dry hardwood, but we live in a moist climate so it can only get so dry?

My problem is that unless the stove is running optimally, I can’t open the door without the whole room filling with smoke. We already added pipe to the chimney, but it’s a small house with a low roof.

Additionally, the pipe has a 45° bend in it. I’m on the verge of pulling the stove out and getting another one even though I spent $13,000 installing this stove! It seems like for this price. This thing should work better and I should be able to enjoy having a woodstove.

I guess the question is are these stoves faulty or do we need to somehow figure out how to change its position so there isn’t a 45° bend in the pipe? Or is there something wrong? It’s operated like this since I got it so it doesn’t seem like anything is clogged. Thanks so much

We need a few more details. How high is the chimney? What type of chimney? And when was it last cleaned?

 

[begreen]

Dry wood is important, but that should be possible, even in damp Arcata, if the wood is stored for a year under cover. A well ventilated shed is ideal. Doug fir, if available should dry out reasonably in a season.

We need some more details on the installation. The Shelburne needs decent draft, but there may be other issues. Does opening a nearby window an inch help? About how tall is the flue system from stove top to chimney cap? Can you post some pictures indoors of the stove and stove pipe and outdoors of the chimney?

 

[suzannedunning]

Dry wood is important, but that should be possible, even in damp Arcata, if the wood is stored for a year under cover. A well ventilated shed is ideal. Doug fir, if available should dry out reasonably in a season.

We need some more details on the installation. The Shelburne needs decent draft, but there may be other issues. Does opening a nearby window an inch help? About how tall is the flue system from stove top to chimney cap? Can you post some pictures indoors of the stove and stove pipe and outdoors of the chimney?

 

[suzannedunning]

There is a jog in the chimney - I’ve wondered if that’s the problem. I have two year old seasoned wood kept under a shed.

 

[suzannedunning]

And it’s an old drafty house that always has windows open (now I have to keep windows open because the smoke from the stove is so bad)

 

[suzannedunning]

We need a few more details. How high is the chimney? What type of chimney? And when was it last cleaned?

The chimney is 6’ in the house, and then four feet in the attic (with two 45 degree pieces) and then 5’ above the roof.

We were advised to not go through the ridge line because several installers said it would cause the roof to leak but the smoke is so bad we are wondering if it would be better to get a custom flashing piece made and just go straight up.

It has done this since it was freshly installed and I’ve pretty much only burned very dry madrone or oak so I’ve had very hot fires .

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

And it’s an old drafty house that always has windows open (now I have to keep windows open because the smoke from the stove is so bad)

Is there a second floor? Or just one floor then the attic? If you have windows open in different places in the house they can cause a negative pressure in which the stove doesn't want to breath properly. Close all the window and anything else pulling air out of the house (dryer, stove vent, bathroom fans etc) and then try cracking a window as close to the stove as possible. Open the bypass and then open the air intake. Give it a minute and then crack open the front door. Give that a bit. You should not get much smoke back into the house. If a little tries to come out, crack the door again and open the window half way and then see if that makes a different. You wouldn't think an older drafty place would have issues like this...

Has your chimney been cleaned this season? It's really important to clean your chimney on a regular basis as recommended by the stove and pipe/chimney manufacturer. It's also good to make sure there are no obstructions in your chimney... Bird nests and the list is a long one.

Also, Oak can hold moisture a long time and can take 3 years to be "seasoned" There are threads / posts here that explain the procedure for using a pin moisture meter and checking your wood to make sure it's under 20%.

Just one more comment and a question. The 45 degree bend in the pipe can cause some issues, but it's probably not a deal breaker. Don't tear out that chimney, yet.

When do you get smoke into the house. When lighting the stove? Refilling the stove with wood or?

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

The chimney is 6’ in the house, and then four feet in the attic (with two 45 degree pieces) and then 5’ above the roof.

Hearthstone calls for 13 feet from the stove top to the chimney cap. You should be good with 15 feet.

I'm sorry to hear of the trouble your having with the Shelburne. I am especially interested in helping you resolve this issue as I recently ordered a Shelburne for my home to replace our very old stove.

 

[bigealta]

So that's only 15 ft chimney height max. With 2 45 bends you are probably under the recommended minimum height. Can you get a 2 or 3 ft cheap pipe to put onto the top of the chimney? It would be a quick and easy test to see if adding height to your chimney will fix the issue.

If it works then you can get a piece of the proper chimney pipe installed.

So BS 1989 just said 13ft is the Min height. I'd still try to add a few feet.( after ruling out any blockages or other simple problems).
It can make a difference.

And definitely make sure the interior of fresh split wood is indeed under 20% moisture.
Everyone says and thinks their wood is seasoned well and dry. Most are Neither.

 

[begreen]

At what point is the stove door being opened? Most stoves don't like this to be done while the fire is burning. It's fine once the fire has reached the coaling stage. Opening a window in the house can create negative pressure, though this might already be an issue if it's a somewhat leaky old house. If there is an attic door, or an attic vent grille in the ceiling, that should be sealed.

That said, I think the main issue might be that outside temperatures are pretty mild in Arcata. Normally this stove is not too fussy about draft. Even our stove with close to an ideal setup will spil some smoke when burning if outside temperatures are in the 50-60º range.