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4
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Troubleshooting Guide
Start Fire Problems
Possible Cause
Solution
Can’t get fire started
Excessive smoke or spillage
Burns too slowly
Smolders, sizzles
Not enough kindling/paper or no
kindling/paper
Use dry kindling, more paper. Arrange kindling &
wood for air movement.
Not enough air for fire to ignite
Check for restricted cap/shroud.
Check for flue blockage.
Pre-warm flue before starting fire
Check for adequate vent height (refer to chimney
assembly section).
Wood condition is too wet, too
large
Use dry, seasoned wood
Bed of coals not established
before adding wood
Start with paper & kindling to establish bed of
coals (refer to starting fire section).
Flue blockage such as birds’ nests
or leaves in termination cap
Have chimney inspected for creosote and cleaned
by a certified chimney sweep.
Fire burns too fast
Extremely dry or soft wood
Mix in hardwood.
Mix in less seasoned wood after fire is established
(refer to wood fuel section).
No glass doors
Add glass doors to slow down air flow.
Overdrafting
Check for correct vent height; too much vertical
height creates overdrafting.
Check location of vent termination (refer to
chimney assembly section).
Outdoor Lifestyles by Hearth & Home Technologies • ODVILLA Wood Owners/Install • 4072-345 Rev A • 08/22
