While getting a draft started today on a cold stove I was getting lots of smoke out the open door. I closed the door tightly and then smoke began coming from the air inlet slot AND the complete top of the closed door. Does this necessarily indicate a need for a new gasket? The one there looks good and the Jotul C350 Wintersport is new. Thanks
Smoke out the door
- Thread starter CI-Borg
- 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. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
- Status
Howdy!
Not whatsoever. You simply had a negative pressure in your stack. Open the closest window to the stove 5-10 minutes before lighting. Make sure all fans that vent outside are off (bathroom, kitchen, etc) and then check. What is your stove/chimney setup (basement stove? outside chimney?)? What was the temperature outside?
Andrew
Not whatsoever. You simply had a negative pressure in your stack. Open the closest window to the stove 5-10 minutes before lighting. Make sure all fans that vent outside are off (bathroom, kitchen, etc) and then check. What is your stove/chimney setup (basement stove? outside chimney?)? What was the temperature outside?
Andrew
Once you get the heated air reversing the cold air flow down the stack, your smoke problem will be resolved.
Some options to get a cold flue warmed up to reverse a downdraft:
- Stuff some crumbled newspaper in the front of the baffle and light it up.
- Use a hairdryer and blow warm air over the baffle.
- Ditto with a propane torch.
- Simply keeping the house warm will also help.
Make also sure the flue is not blocked. Check especially the cap screen.
- Stuff some crumbled newspaper in the front of the baffle and light it up.
- Use a hairdryer and blow warm air over the baffle.
- Ditto with a propane torch.
- Simply keeping the house warm will also help.
Make also sure the flue is not blocked. Check especially the cap screen.
Thanks for the replies. I read up on starting a draft. I'm mainly concerned about the smoke escaping out the closed door. Wouldn't this signify air was getting in during normal operation?
Last edited:
McKeznak
Member
I have a basement stove that's has back draft issues. If it is backdrafting you can usually tell as soon as you open the door, you can feel the cold air rushing out.
For the least amount of smoke released i start a hot quick fire, newspaper and dry kindling, or just a super cedar, then immediately once it stars point a box fan on low right in the opening of. The fan over powers the backdraft and forces the air up the chimney, the air its forcing up is warm so it reverses it, after only a few seconds with the fan its reversed and I'm good to go.
It's in the basement so I have the luxury of leaving a fan nearly and not worrying about a tiny bit of ash blowing around. It may or may not work for your situation, if you accidentally catch your box fan on fire I will deny making the suggestions.
Note: so long as you don't let the stove cool you should be safe from it returning
For the least amount of smoke released i start a hot quick fire, newspaper and dry kindling, or just a super cedar, then immediately once it stars point a box fan on low right in the opening of. The fan over powers the backdraft and forces the air up the chimney, the air its forcing up is warm so it reverses it, after only a few seconds with the fan its reversed and I'm good to go.
It's in the basement so I have the luxury of leaving a fan nearly and not worrying about a tiny bit of ash blowing around. It may or may not work for your situation, if you accidentally catch your box fan on fire I will deny making the suggestions.
Note: so long as you don't let the stove cool you should be safe from it returning
brad wilton
Feeling the Heat
usually light my stove by heating flue with newspaper,one day tried to light with kindling smoke poured out of every crevice heat up flue no problems.
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
No it happens even with a good gasket. Do a dollar bill test but unless the stoves several years old, not to worry.
As said it's a draft issue. But if it's a new thing that you didn't have before it could be a plugged screen.
Air does get in during normal operation. These stoves do not close air tight. There is always at least a small amount of intake air being supplied. Unless the intake is modified by the end user.
Heatsource
Minister of Fire
- Status
Similar threads
