Heavy Smoking After Reloading

[69_Eliminator]

I had the same problem identifying my smoke dragon a few years ago, and with smoking on reloads. The most positive thing I can say is that it taught me to pay attention to my wood and burning habits, so that when I got a real stove it was heaven.

I can't find the model anywhere, but I have a plan now. From what the others have told me on opening it up upon reload and slowly closing it down seems to help a bunch. I was very frustrated because I thought my semi-wet wood was causing all the smoke so I bought a cord and a half of dry oak and it was still smoking like crazy.

Yep, I'm looking forward to having a more modern stove next season!

 

[Hogwildz]

Be careful with the Oak. It really does take about 3 years to dry.
It may not be as dry as you think. It may be, I don't know how long ago it was split. But about 3 years after split is optimal.

 

[69_Eliminator]

Be careful with the Oak. It really does take about 3 years to dry.
It may not be as dry as you think. It may be, I don't know how long ago it was split. But about 3 years after split is optimal.

Wow! That is a long time to dry. I'm not sure how long this has been drying, but doubt it's been that long.

 

[begreen]

Take a few thick splits and resplit them. Then, retest the moisture content on the freshly exposed wood face of the split.

 

[69_Eliminator]

Take a few thick splits and resplit them. Then, retest the moisture content on the freshly exposed wood face of the split.

I'll have to do that as soon as I get new batteries for my MM. It just started giving some funky inconsistent readings.

 

[begreen]

How was this insert installed? Is there a liner in the chimney and if so what size? If no liner, is there at least a stub over the damper area and a block off plate?

 

[69_Eliminator]

How was this insert installed? Is there a liner in the chimney and if so what size? If no liner, is there at least a stub over the damper area and a block off plate?

Unfortunately I am poor this year and that's why I'm heating with wood vs oil furnace. There is no liner, it just vents into a clay flue liner. What is a stub?

 

[bluedogz]

There is no liner, it just vents into a clay flue liner.

That can't be helping anything.

 

[begreen]

Agreed. The lack of any liner or even a stub past the damper area is most likely the issue. This is a potentially dangerous situation, especially if the fireplace liner is large or very cold.

 

[69_Eliminator]

Agreed. The lack of any liner or even a stub past the damper area is most likely the issue. This is a potentially dangerous situation, especially if the fireplace liner is large or very cold.

What is a stub?? Ever since I last night when I followed the advice of others in this thread on reload techniques I have had very very little smoke. My neighbor just dropped by and he said he didn't even know I was burning because he didn't see any smoke

Thanks to all who contributed to thread with the burn techniques after a reload- it was extremely helpful!

 

[begreen]

A stubbed installation has the pipe stubbed up past the damper plate by at least a foot or more and is sealed off with a block off plate.

 

[69_Eliminator]

A stubbed installation has the pipe stubbed up past the damper plate by at least a foot or more and is sealed off with a block off plate.

View attachment 122080

Ok. Thanks for the explanation and diagram! Do chimney liner places sell the parts to do a "stubbed install?" I don't think I can afford a full insulated liner this year and this maybe an option to increase safety.

 

[begreen]

It is just a short piece of flex liner and a block off plate that you can make yourself out of sheet metal from Home Depot. The main question is what size is the flue outlet from the stove.
Here are a couple articles with links on the topic that should be helpful.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/why-damper-seal-is-needed/
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/making_a_block_off_plate/

 

[begreen]

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/well-it-happened-chimney-fire.120751/