do regarding the safe operation of your stove.
Burning wet wood causes the incomplete
combustion of the fuel and lowers the fire-
chamber temperature and flue pressure so
that creosote residue and heavy soot deposits
are left inside the flueway and chimney.
These will eventually, and usually very quickly,
cause a blockage making it harder for the smoke
(and CO) to take its normal safe route through
the flue system so that it escapes from the stove
and consequently enters the room.
Check there’s enough room air
Check that any permanent air vent fitted to
supply the extra combustion air required for
the stove has not been accidentally blocked.
Alternatively, if the stove has a direct external
air supply check that the outside grille has not
been blocked by leaves, new plant growth or
snow.
The addition of any new mechanical extraction
in a nearby room could also adversely affect
the flue draught pressure so that it is no
longer sufficient at the start or end of the
burn cycle to safely remove the combustion
gases from the firechamber and consequently
this will allow them to escape into the room.
A simple way of checking whether or not the
stove is receiving enough combustion air is to
open a window in the same room as the stove
whilst the stove is operating. If this improves
the problem with smoke then this would
certainly indicate that the stove is being
starved of combustion air and the advice of
the original installer should be sought.
Consider any extreme weather conditions
High winds or freezing temperatures can also
temporarily affect the performance of the
chimney draught and consequently its
effectiveness in removing smoke and fumes
from the stove’s firechamber. In the case of
freezing temperatures it is important to build
a much larger pre-fire than normal to quickly
provide the additional heat needed to warm
the flue system and to counteract the much
lower temperatures at the exit point of the
chimney. Please see the section on lighting
your stove on pages 21 to 25.
Consider high winds / Prevailing winds
If the problem is associated with high winds
and it becomes a regular occurrence, then
you will need to fit a specialist chimney cowl.
These are designed to help provide a stable
draught and prevent specific types of problems.
Specifying the correct cowl should always be
left to an approved installer. If your installation
features a direct external air supply then
c
heck that the outside inlet grille is not subject
to the adverse effect of high or prevailing
winds and either take steps to relocate it or
safely shield it from the wind.
Check if the chimney terminal has
become restricted
Check that any summer tree growth or new
building work (especially at the beginning of
the heating season) has not interfered with
the free passage of smoke and flue gases
from the flue system or chimney top. New
tree growth should be cut back (ensure you
comply with any local authority regulations).
Where there is new building work always
seek the advice of your installer as the height
of your flue may need to be increased to
compensate for this.
4
Excessive fuel consumption
This can be caused by a number of factors.
Check for faulty Door Seals
The rope seals around the firechamber door
could have become worn and may no longer
provide an air-tight seal. This will allow a sup-
ply of uncontrolled combustion air which will
limit the effectiveness of the actual air control,
especially when you try to close it down.
When the stove is cold, you can easily check
this seal by placing strips of paper at various
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