26
Section
7
– Trouble Shooting
1.
Stove burns lazy at start up.
2.
Stove back-puffs or smokes into the room at start up.
3.
Stove smokes out the door when it is open.
4.
Stove won’t shut down.
5.
Stove won’t burn hot enough. Lazy burn.
6.
Burn time too short.
Stove burns lazy at start up.
1.
The chimney is still cool, allow more time to warm up.
2.
Wood is not seasoned (still green). Wood should sit for about 1 year, split and loosely stacked if it
was cut green.
3.
Wood is well seasoned but has a lot of surface moisture. Your wood supply must be covered.
Check your tarps or other covering to see that no rain or snow is getting to your wood. Wood
should be covered on top, but open on the sides to allow air movement to aid in drying.
4.
Check the air supply to the stove. If you have installed outside air, check the ducts for blockage.
If you are not using outside air, be sure you have removed the cover plate on the back of the
pedestal. (pedestal models only)
Stove back-puffs or smokes into the room at start up.
1.
Chimney is cold. Cold chimneys can produce a “reverse draft” where cold air is rushing down the
chimney into the stove. Open a door or a window for about 5 minutes to equalize pressure in the
house then try restarting with small strips of newspaper. Using small strips of newspaper or an
approved fast burning fire starter and small pieces of kindling will create heat faster to help
reverse the cold air.
2.
Chimney and/or the chimney cap needs to be cleaned. Your chimney should be checked and
cleaned if necessary every few months. Even a small amount of buildup can cause a draft
restriction, for example: ¼ inch of buildup on the side wall of a 6” chimney reduces the effective
area of the chimney by about 20%. Pay close attention to the chimney cap, especially if it has a
screen. Screened chimney caps can become blocked enough to restrict flow in just a few weeks.
Stove smokes out the door when it is open.
1.
The door was opened too quickly. Crack the door open just a small amount and let the stove
“breathe” a few seconds before opening all the way.
2.
Chimney and/or the chimney cap needs to be cleaned. Your chimney should be checked and
cleaned if necessary every few months. Even a small amount of buildup can cause a draft
restriction, for example: ¼ inch of buildup on the side wall of a 6” chimney reduces the effective
area of the chimney by about 20%. Pay close attention to the chimney cap, especially if it has a
screen. Screened chimney caps can become blocked enough to restrict flow in just a few weeks.
Stove won’t shut down.
1.
The ash pan may not be sealing correctly. Check the ash pan gasket for tearing or fraying. See the
ash pan instructions in section 5. Even a small amount of undesired air can keep the stove from
shutting down.
2.
Check the main door gasket and glass gasket for proper seal. See for instructions on checking
your gaskets.