In February I replaced my smoke dragon Gold-Marc insert with a Lopi Freedom. Due to the mild Winter I really haven't been able to appreciate my investment, and now I have to deal with a downside. The regular Spring down-draft sooty smell is much, much worse. I never imagined that the old unit with its sliding damper and holes in the door would seal better than an "airtight" stove.
I made a point of burning a hot last fire (but not as hot as the Gold-Marc would have been), I plugged the adapter above the bypass with rags, but the smell is there every day when I come home. Previously I would only get the smell on thundery days with rapid weather changes. I didn't clean the liner, but there were at most 10 fires in the new liner, all but one with well-seasoned wood.
Is this to be expected with an EPA unit? Is there any way I can block the air intake? Would blocking the liner at the top help (are there proper plugs available)?
TE
I made a point of burning a hot last fire (but not as hot as the Gold-Marc would have been), I plugged the adapter above the bypass with rags, but the smell is there every day when I come home. Previously I would only get the smell on thundery days with rapid weather changes. I didn't clean the liner, but there were at most 10 fires in the new liner, all but one with well-seasoned wood.
Is this to be expected with an EPA unit? Is there any way I can block the air intake? Would blocking the liner at the top help (are there proper plugs available)?
TE