Comments on: Wood Burning Stoves Have A Lot Going For Them

By: June C

June C — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:37:59 +0000

There can be several reasons why stoves can produce smoke like you described. A lot of this depends on the type of stove that you are using and the venting system. I will assume from your question that you have a stove that is vented out through a chimney. You can check the following:

1. Check to see if the doors or the opening of the stove close properly. If it is not closed, you can get smoke coming in and mess up the venting.

2. Clear out any ash / material from the pipe or chimney opening, the pipe itself, or the chimney.

3. Check for holes or leaks in any of the venting areas.

4. If you can not find obvious problem, you should call in a professional because venting problems can be dangerous.

You can also do a couple of things to cut down the level of smoke like:

1. Don’t use green wood

2. Make hotter, smaller fires.

3. Check your windows and insulation because this can affect venting

References :
http://www.fireplacesmagazine.com/stoves/wood-burning-stoves.html
http://www.fireplacesmagazine.com/stoves/wood-stoves.html

By: amie_dunlap

amie_dunlap — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:35:59 +0000

Make sure your wood is not moist or green. Also, make sure your dampener is open so that the smoke can vent properly.
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By: poppajoe49

poppajoe49 — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:33:59 +0000

Are you sure the wood is dried out completely? Wood that is still "green" has sap in it and will cause smoke.
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By: luka

luka — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:31:59 +0000

you have a leak in your vent pipe or your chimney needs to be cleaned.
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By: gar_fanatic

gar_fanatic — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:29:59 +0000

Are you sure the dampener (in the chimney pipe) is not closed down? Wood burning stoves do emit more smoke than fireplaces when they are open, but should not emit any smoke while running with the door closed. You should have a professional chimney sweep come look at it if your dampener is open to make sure the chimney is working properly.

BTW-the whole house will smell like a campfire when the fire is going. Throw in some cedar wood and it’ll smell awesome!

If the smoke inside the house is too much for you, you should look into getting a Central Boiler system. That puts all the wood, ash and smoke outside, but you only get heat inside. I’ll never own an interior woodburner again after owning our Central Boiler system.
http://www.centralboiler.com/
References :
Living in a house with only woodburning heat for the last 4 years.

By: loretta t

loretta t — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:27:59 +0000

Did u also clean the pipes? If not do so..also if there is a elbow it might need cleaned as well! If there is a vent where the smoke comes out..could be stopped up!! If you don't feel comfortable checking that call someone to do so! Hope I helped ya!
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By: Oryx

Oryx — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:25:59 +0000

Try burning less wood. If smoke is coming into the house and the chimney is clear you may be producing too much smoke for the chimney to handle. Keep the door closed and maybe think about having a professional cleaner come in.
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By: Paradox

Paradox — Sat, 22 May 2010 17:23:20 +0000

Why does our wood burning stove smoke so much?
I’ve lived in houses where they have fireplaces, but never a wood burning stove. I don’t ever recall the house smelling like a campfire while the fire is going. It’s almost unbearable to breathe. Why is this happening and what can I do to prevent this? We already cleaned out the chimney the best we could, by the way.