20
02/23
7037-807C
With proper installation, operation, and maintenance your wood appliance will provide years of trouble-free service. If you do
experience a problem, this troubleshooting guide will assist you or a qualified service person in the diagnosis of a problem
and the corrective action to be taken.
Table 20.1
Start Fire Problems
Possible Cause
Solution
Can not get fire started
Excessive smoke or spillage
Burns too slowly
Not enough heat output
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 termination cap
Check for blockage of outside air kit (if installed).
Check for flue blockage.
Warm flue before starting fire (refer to Building a
Fire Section).
Check for adequate vent height (refer to Chimney
Height Section).
Open window below the appliance towards
the wind.
Wood condition is too wet,
too large
Use dry, seasoned wood (refer to Seasoned
Wood Section).
Bed of coals not established
before adding wood
Start with paper & kindling to establish bed of coals
(refer to Building a 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.
Down draft or
negative pressure
Competition with
exhaust devices
Do not use exhaust fans during start-up (refer to
Negative Pressure Section).
Open window below the appliance towards
the wind.
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).
Over drafting
Check for correct vent height; too much vertical
height creates over drafting.
Check location of vent termination (refer to Chimney
Termination Requirement Section).
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Troubleshooting Guide
