10
Troubleshooting Solutions For Stove Problems
Installed and used correctly your stove will provide years of warmth with little effort but used incorrectly will be difficult
to achieve the results you expect and can be damaged.
Combustion is a complex chemical process with many variables, all of which need to be correct for your stove to burn
correctly. Taking the time to understand these variables and the combustion process will make your life with your new
stove a happy one.
1. Stove is difficult to light / keep lit
Common causes:
a.
Damp fuel
–
Wood should be maximum 20% moisture and ideally 12-15%. We strongly advise purchasing a digital
moisture meter to test your logs. Always split logs in half and test the centre of the log.
b.
Poor draught and chimney strength
–
Your chimney needs to pull through adequate air for combustion. Flue draught
should be between 12Pa and 18Pa
–
if in doubt consult a local expert.
c.
Logs too big
–
Always start fires small and gradually build them up. Begin with paper or solid firelighters, building a
small fire with kindling (small sticks of wood) until the kindling is well alight and hot. Then gradually build the fire with
your wood logs (not too thick). (Splitting the logs will increase the surface area allowing more thorough burning). Once
the firebox is up to temperature, slightly larger logs can be added.
d.
Chimney/flue blocked
–
Excessive soot should not be allowed to build up in the flue
–
flues should be professionally
cleaned when required and, in any case, at least once per year, or more if your chimney / fuel type is causing excessive
soot to build up.
2. Fuel burns too quickly
The rated output on your stove is based on burning dry seasoned hardwood and re-fuelling every hour. By turning down
the vent controls the fuel will burn slower and last longer.
Common causes:
a.
Excessively strong chimney draught
–
If by turning down the vents the fire still burns too quickly, this is normally due
to excessively strong draught on the chimney. This will lead to over-firing of the stove which is inefficient, losing
excessive heat into the chimney and pulling too much cold air through the house. A flue damper fitted into the first
section of flue pipe can help to calm a chimney draught.
b.
Fuel type/size
–
try experimenting with different types of wood/fuel and different sized logs. Coal and slightly larger
logs will burn slower. Softwood such as pine will burn particularly fast. Kiln dried wood is NOT recommended
–
It is likely
to burn too fast
–
always use seasoned, naturally dried logs (hardwood) where possible.
3. Smoke comes back into room
A small amount of smoke entering the room when you open the stove door is normal but should stop after a few
seconds
….
