wood

A Troubleshooting Chart For Your Wood Stove Or Insert

This chart offers a convenient way to find information on common problems with your wood stove or wood fireplace insert.

Symptom/Complaint Likely Causes Solutions
Dirty glass (1)

Turning down too much

Turning down too early

Fire new load hot until the firebox is full of flames

Don’t try to conserve flue gas heat loss

Dirty glass (2) Wet wood Split wood smaller, load crisscross, don’t turn down; be better prepared next year(more Information)
Dirty glass (3) Trying to burn continuously in mild weather

Be prepared to light one fire each day when temperature is above 0°C

Don’t try turning down to reduce heat

Get kindling materials & technique together

Dirty glass (4) (streaks) Leaking door and glass gaskets Replace gaskets
Inadequate heat (1) Wet wood Split wood smaller, load crisscross, don’t turn down; be better prepared next year
Inadequate heat (2)

Fear of big hot fires

Turning down too early

Fire new load hot until firebox is full of flames, then only reduce air so that flames slow down a bit
Inadequate heat (3) Excessive charcoal build up in cold weather (non-cats especially) Rake coals and put one split piece east-west on row of coals; fire hard, repeat
Inadequate heat (4) Trying to preserve flue gas heat

Fire until firebox is full of flame.

The chimney needs heat, so give it freely

 

Inadequate heat (5) Low draft and excessive charcoal build up due to venting system leak Check venting system for leaks; seal it
Inadequate heat (6) Excessive ash build up Remove ash more frequently
Short burn times (1) Not stoking properly Use more aggressive loading techniques (more information)
Short burn times (2)

High draft due to tall chimney and cold weather, mainly with non-cats.

(i.e., The Florida Bungalow Syndrome)

See if air control can be adjusted, or secondary air limited; only in extreme cases resort to key damper
Short burn times (3)

Refuelling at start of charcoal phase

Not including charcoal phase as part of burn cycle

Provide information on what a burn cycle is and what to expect
Stove doesn’t perform as expected (1) Unrealistic expectations of heat output, heating capacity Consider purchase expectations; compare to heater selection, climate and housing type
Stove doesn’t perform as expected (2) Misled by bad advice and specific flue pipe or stove thermometer readings Ignore thermometer and bad advice; learn about visual cues
Smoke rollout when loading (1)

Smouldering fire

Make sure primary air shutter is wide open. Add more dry kindling to help catch the smoldering wood.

Smoke rollout when loading (2) Restrictive venting system with too many elbows/changes in direction and horizontal runs

Replace 90 degree flue pipe elbows with 45s

Replace outside chimney with inside

Smoke rollout when loading (3) Upgraded to EPA stove connected to a marginal venting system Point out that the new firebox is more restrictive; suggest upgrade to venting
Cold backdraft at standby (1) Chimney runs up outside of house

Re-install chimney inside

Enclose chimney and keep it warm

Cold backdraft at standby (2) Chimney penetrates envelope below highest level

Re-install chimney so it penetrates highest heated level

Enclose chimney and keep it warm

Appliance puffs smoke in windy weather (1)

No chimney cap

Ineffective chimney cap

Install a proper chimney cap
Appliances puffs smoke in windy weather (2) House is leaky or open windows on downwind side Describe how house can be depressurized by wind acting on leaks; seal leaks, keep windows closed