Starting a fire from cold and small creosote deposits on firebricks

[myth83]

Good day everybody,

Today I have yet another newbie question, it is about those small creosote buildups that occur when I start a fire from cold.

I am using dry wood(less than 14% moisture content), and operating a modern fireplace (Jotul I400 Harmony), that is connected to a modern brick chimney that has an insulated stainless steel liner etc..

It happens when starting a fire from cold, shortly after the kindling are burning strong and the first pair of splits from the top are started to catch fire, I can see a small swirl of fire and a very fine draw of smoke going to the side of the firebox and within 10-15 minutes, a small black deposit is to be seen.

That goes away later (probably burns away) and disappear once the firebox is up to temp.

However, I wonder if that is normal ? Or there is anything to learn about the causes and how to avoid and/or optimize this.

I have attached a photo.

Any information or tips are as always much appreciated

Thank you!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

The flame is pulled toward a crack in the firebrick?

 

[myth83]

The flame is pulled toward a crack in the firebrick?

Thank you for your reply!

Nope, actually the firebricks are new and have no cracks so far (fireplace operation is less than 2 month old)

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I think your firebrick just gets some soot on it from the flame and the soot burns off. Enjoy the fire and don't over analyze it. (I know it can be hard to not examine every detail.)

 

[billb3]

It's normal.
At what temperature does water boil ?
How long do you think it takes to boil the water out of your 14% moisture content charge of wood ?

 

[firefighterjake]

Normal sooting . . .

 

[myth83]

Thank you all for your replies!

So it’s normal, good to know.

Yes, Right now I am “over analyzing”, true.. hopefully so I don’t make mistakes and turn them as time passes by into my “gold” standards ;-)

So I guess that it’s also normal when the fire is being let to burn down, and a bit of black is showing on the side firebrick of the firebox, it’s normal ?

Thank you all

 

[firefighterjake]

Thank you all for your replies!

So it’s normal, good to know.

Yes, Right now I am “over analyzing”, true.. hopefully so I don’t make mistakes and turn them as time passes by into my “gold” standards ;-)

So I guess that it’s also normal when the fire is being let to burn down, and a bit of black is showing on the side firebrick of the firebox, it’s normal ?

Thank you all

Yup, normal.

And keep asking questions . . . it's how we learn.

Well, you can also learn from your mistakes, but I am pretty sure you would rather not burn down your house and learn from that mistake, right?

 

[myth83]

Well, you can also learn from your mistakes, but I am pretty sure you would rather not burn down your house and learn from that mistake, right?

No Sir