This will be the 6th year for this St Croix Afton Bay. I think I got so used to the smoke in the room on startup I am not really sure when it started. It may have even done it when it was new. At any rate this year I decided I was tired of it and determined to fix it. The exhaust blower was new end of season last year. I pulled it anyway and replaced the gasket. Previously my pipe ran straight out the wall and no oak. The pipe now runs straight out and 7ft up and I installed an oak. The good news is the stove has never burned this clean. I am amazed the difference this has made on combustion. The problem is the damn smoke is still coming into the room on startup when the inside of the stove fills with smoke. The door gasket was also new last year. The pipes are all sealed with High temp RTV. As luck would have it you can not see the smoke. It is just enough of an odor to drive you nuts. Every time it starts I have my head and nose sniffing to see where it is coming from. The first place I can smell it is just inside the access door. I have attached a picture. There is no odor when it is heated up and running. I am guessing it could be one of the welds or maybe that gigantic gasket around the hopper. Any guesses?