I've been using this unit now for a couple months. A couple things I'll add that has worked for me.When you start the fire is the catalytic combuster lever pushed in or pulled out? If it is pushed in on startup it will smoke u out with the door ajar, I made the mistake of trying to restart the fire with the catalytic combuster(CC) engaged and soon a I put the torch to the kindling the smoke was escaping into the room, I noticed right away and disengaged the CC and the draft kicked in instantly.
The air intake I'm referring to is located in front middle of the stove, the lever on the bottom of the stove control the amount of air that is allowed to enter the system, if the lever is all the way to the left, that will let the maximum amount of air, all the way to the right will let in the least amount of air. When starting your fire, the cc rod should be pulled out and the air intake to the far left. If your fire is dying out when u close the doors, my guess is your are either not getting enough air or your draft is being restricted. If the fire isn't getting enough air then I would try brushing the air intake out to remove any debris that may have gotten stuck in the intake and is restricting the air flow. If it's not the air intake, you may have a blockage in your liner, from a crimp, animal, or creosote build up. The may have forgot to install the cc.
I've read a lot of negative reviews on ci2700 and some people who raved about it. I have had great luck with mine, I fill 3-4 times a day and my heat never kicks on unless it has to make hot water. I get build up on the glass wien I run it low and slow but if I refuel and let it burn with the airintake all the way to the left, the black clears up in 30 min. When the fire is out I use a damp pieces of newspaper dipped in ash
And the stain on the glass comes right off with little to no elbow grease. I follow the directions in the manual and the stove operates flawlessly. I almost never get smoke I'm the house and if I do, it's because I did something wrong. I hope u figure it out call regency directly.
I warm up the flue with a torch to make sure I get a good draft prior to lighting any kindling. Then I start slow. and small. I find that I need to really get a solid coal bed before I close the door for the 1st time of the start up. I have a really good draft but yet it if I close door too soon it snuffs it out. I have to be patient and when I do everything goes better.
I slowly (over the course of 20-30 mins) add larger spits and then she's good to go and I can go larger and close the door.
When I re-load I'll open the bypass, air intake and I crack the fire box door a tad and just hold it closed with my hand. Air rushes in and I let it settle a bit and then I go in for the re-load. A little smoke comes out but not much at all. Mostly just enough to give off some wood smoke smell.
Maybe some of this will help. I have certainly smoked my house out more than once figuring this unit out but it's getting much better.
I hope you are able to figure yours out.
I'm coming from an outdoor boiler set up and am loving this thing!