1. I started a fire and the house filled with white smoke and a strong odor. What’s wrong? Questions Causes Solutions Is this one of your first fires in a new appliance or newly painted appliance? Paint curing Open windows, use fans. Will stop after a few hot fires   2. I can’t get a fire started. What’s going on? Questions Causes Solutions Are the damper and air controls open? §     No Draft §     No combustion air Open the damper and air controls Is there enough paper/starter? §     Insufficient heat to ignite kindling Use more paper/starter Is there enough kindling? Is the kindling dry? §     Insufficient heat to ignite fuel Use more dry kindling Is there too much wood?   Is the wood too big? Is the wood dry? §     Insufficient heat to establish draft §     Insufficient air passage §     Insufficient surface area §     Ignition temperature high due to moisture Use small split wood that is well seasoned (split covered on top at least 6 months, preferably a year)   Are there adequate air spaces between fuel pieces? §     Insufficient combustion air and exposed surface area   Arrange the kindling and wood for air movement   Is the chimney pre-warmed? §     Exposed, cold chimney down drafting Use lighted rolled newspaper at throat to start upward movement. Is there smoke in the house? §     Damper closed §     Obstruction in chimney §     Downdraft from chimney temperature or from negative house pressure   Check damper; have chimney checked if worked previously; pre-warm chimney, shut off exhaust devices, open window slightly Does the kindling, wood not ignite? §      Condition, amount, arrangement of kindling and fuel Use more fuel, drier, well spaced kindling and fuel Does the kindling ignite but the fuel doesn't? §     Amount of kindling §     Condition of fuel  Use more kindling; use smaller, dry wood Does the fuel ignite but not burn well? §     Closing damper and/or air controls too early §     Using blower too soon or at too high speed §     Condition of fuel §     Combustion air supply problem §     Catalytic combustor not lighting off Leave damper and air controls open longer (operate by thermometer); wait to turn blower on and set at a low speed; Use well seasoned wood and sufficient amount; turn exhaust fans off; open window slightly; have combustor cleaned or replaced   3. Why won’t the glass stay clean? (stove/insert with effective air wash) Questions Causes Solutions How dirty is the glass and when? §     Slight haze in a few places after extended burn: unrealistic expectations   §     Dark brown, black over most of glass most of the time; operational or system problem This is normal, it will burn off with hot fire or it can be cleaned when the glass is cooled down   Operation: Avoid closing damper/air controls too early; use enough kindling/fuel to start a good fire; make sure chimneys clean and unobstructed   4. I don’t get enough heat. What’s wrong? Questions Causes Solutions Are you getting a good fire going? §     Bad startup §     Not enough fuel Use thermometer to determine good startup; load more fuel How do you set the damper and air controls? §     Closing damper too early, too late (after fuel burned up), or not at all §     Air controls too low Use thermometer to know when to close damper; open air controls more What is the condition of the fuel? §     High moisture content §     Rotten wood Use plenty of kindling to start fire and establish draft, add small amounts of wood often to help dry fuel, find and keep well seasoned wood; don’t use rotten wood Are the blowers in use? §     Excessive cooling of firebox Don’t turn blower on until good fire established and use only on low speed   5. The wood burns too fast/ I can’t get an overnight burn. What’s wrong? Questions Causes Solutions How much wood is loaded? §     Not full load of wood Load firebox fully How are damper and air controls set? §     Damper open or air controls set too open Close damper and set air controls lower at proper time Is there unburned wood in the firebox after long burn? §     Fuel load not igniting properly before damper closed and air controls lowered Wait until wood catches well before setting for extended burn What size is the stove? §     Unrealistic expectations A small firebox stove doesn’t hold enough fuel for overnight burn, tending is necessary Does it hold a fire sometimes but other times not? §     Fuel load adjustment based on weather Add more wood in cold weather to compensate for increased draft conditions   6. Smoke comes in the house during reloading. Is this normal? Questions Causes Solutions Are the damper and air controls only open for a short time before opening the door? §     Not enough draft or access to flue exit Open damper and air controls a little while before opening door Are you opening the door slowly and carefully? §     Pulling smoke into the house with door Open door gradually (stand to side to avoid flashback) Is the chimney clean? §     Obstructions or restrictions preventing draft Check and clean chimney if needed   7. The wall/mantel is hot to touch during operation. Is that normal? (stove/insert installed with proper minimum clearance) Questions Causes Solutions Is the stove operated at normal temperatures? Yes: §     By thermometer and/or no metal turns orange/red: unexpected condition   No: §     By thermometer and/or no metal turns orange/red Warm temperatures normal with minimum clearance; protection possible for peace of mind   Doors should not be left open, leaks/gaps sealed, proper fuel and load size. Cause must be determined and solution found  *Information provided by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

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