1. I can’t get a good fire going, what am I doing wrong? Questions Causes Solutions Is the damper open? §     No Draft §     No combustion air Open the damper 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? §     Condition of fuel §     Draft problem Use well seasoned wood and sufficient amount; turn exhaust fans off; open window slightly   2. I smell smoke in the house during operation, what’s causing that? Questions Causes Solutions Do fires start and burn well? No: §     Damper not fully open §     Chimney obstruction §     Not enough kindling and/or fuel to establish draft inadequate combustion air   Yes: §     Fire too close to front §     Competition with exhaust devices No: Open damper; check and clean chimney if needed; use adequate kindling and fuel; open air controls on glass doors or open window, check for need of balanced air makeup     Yes: Build fire farther back; don’t use house exhaust fans during startup and/or check for need of balanced air makeup system    3. I smell smoke in the house after we’ve had a fire. What is the cause/what can we do? Questions Causes Solutions Is the damper closed? No: §     Downdraft of negative pressure   Yes: §    Negative pressure from exhaust fans and/or house stack effect No: Close damper at end of burn   Yes: Check for need of glass doors or balanced air makeup system or raising chimney   Is the chimney clean? No: §     Creosote odor   Yes: §    Damper closed too early No: Have chimney cleaned   Yes: Wait until fires completely out before closing damper   4. I don’t get enough/any heat from the fireplace. What can I do about it? Questions Causes Solutions How much wood is used for fire? Insufficient fuel Make larger fires Do you have a blower (where possible)? Yes: §     Turning blower on too early or set too high cooling firebox No: §     Need for all heat boosts possible Yes: Wait until fire established and leave on lower speed   No: Add blower if available How much heat output do you expect? §     Unrealistic expectations Explanation of decorative nature of fireplace; suggestion of approved fireplace insert   5. The fireplace burns wood too fast. What can I do? Questions Causes Solutions Do you have glass doors? §     Need to slow the air intake Add glass doors; use air controls on glass doors What is the condition of wood? §     Extremely dry wood Mix in less seasoned wood after fire established * Information provided by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association INFO CHANNEL        HOME  Privacy Policy - Anti-Spam Policy - Copyright Notice - Disclaimer Copyright © 2006 - The Fireplace Channel.com - All Rights Reserved - Site Design: YouComHere.com

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