New to woodstoves! Couple questions...

[FiyahBurnah]

One reason for starting with small fires is to get an idea how your stove and flue work. You wouldn't want to start with a full load and have the stove get too hot on your first fire. It takes a few fires before you'll know how to load and what air settings work best.

Wow, were you right about this!!

I got a small kindling and newspaper fire going in it and then got a fire going in the upstairs fireplace. All flues have been checked, cleaned and dividers added at the top of the chimney.

I come back down here and the fire had almost burned out and there was smoke pouring into the room from the air intake on the jotul. Ugh.

I relit a few pieces of paper and kindling in a panic and am now standing here to see what's up when it dies down again. Have a window cracked down here to help.

 

[Grisu]

Did you have a good fire going before you closed the door and went upstairs? Was the air fully open?

 

[FiyahBurnah]

Did you have a good fire going before you closed the door and went upstairs? Was the air fully open?

Well...it was going pretty well and the air was about 3/4 open...how long do I need to wait before closing door entirely and leaving it be for a bit?

 

[Grisu]

When closing the door you still need to see a nice fire going. It helps to monitor the stove a bit. I would also leave the air open all the way when just doing a start-up fire from a cold stove.

Was that the first break-in fire? Often, the firebricks have some moisture in them that needs to be driven out. That may have contributed to the fire going out and the smoke.

 

[FiyahBurnah]

Good info. Thanks. Also, once the fire is out...I don't have a damper so I assume all I can do to keep cold air out etc is to shut the air intakes all the way?

 

[Woody Stover]

The small break in fires are mainly for curing the paint

And to season the cast iron. I'm not sure exactly what that does, but...
(broken link removed)

 

[FiyahBurnah]

Got the stove up to 350 last night (third break in fire and I'll do another to get it to 400) and man did it stink! Kinda like curdled milk. Glad it's in the basement.

 

[begreen]

The small break in fires are mainly for curing the paint

And to season the cast iron. I'm not sure exactly what that does, but...
(broken link removed)

The first small breakin fire is to drive moisture out of the firebrick as well.

 

[kcassidy]

I just installed a Jotul Oslo. I have had 2 small fires, and then the third fire went up to 400+ for about an hour. The stove did smell on the 2nd and 3rd burns, but worse with windows open all the fire alarms went off in the house till the stove cooled down under 200. This is a 2nd home so my question is how many times will this happen?

Thanks,

-Kevin

 

[Swedishchef]

That should happen 5-6 times but that's it. The paint is curing. Make sure you get it to 500-600 a few times. Then you should be good.

Andrew

 

[kcassidy]

That should happen 5-6 times but that's it. The paint is curing. Make sure you get it to 500-600 a few times. Then you should be good.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew. I'll just keep at it. The worst part is the smoke detectors screaming in my ears....

 

[FiyahBurnah]

Thanks Andrew. I'll just keep at it. The worst part is the smoke detectors screaming in my ears....

Keep a window or two open...like, really open. It reeks. Like a melted plastic/curdled milk stew.

My detectors didn't go off but it was warm when I broke mine in and I had two full sized windows in the room open.

It goes away but takes a half dozen Fires (full not break in) for it to completely go away. Ymmv.

 

[Swedishchef]

No problem kcassidy.

It also helps to put a small fan in a window pushing air out with another window open at the other end of the floor where the stove is located (don't ask how I know this..)


Andrew

PS. North COnway is a very nice place! Been there twice!

 

[kcassidy]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to hopefully finish the burns to cure the paint this weekend. It's black without enamel so I expect I'll have to deal with the alarms again. Funny thing is the smell wasn't too bad.

 

[Tenn Dave]

No problem kcassidy.

It also helps to put a small fan in a window pushing air out with another window open at the other end of the floor where the stove is located (don't ask how I know this..)


Andrew

PS. North COnway is a very nice place! Been there twice!

Yes, using a small window fan that sucks air out of the house and opening a window on the other side of the room should create a nice airflow that in most cases will move the smoke odor out and keep the alarms from sounding. Worked like a charm for me.

 

[Oregon aloha]

hey guys, based on the picture what are your thoughts on something in front of the hearth? Will a rug do? I'm not sure exactly why I need it but the installers suggested it...Thoughts?

This is more of a code/insurance issue then anything. Your owners manual will give you your door to combustibles masurment. My stove is 16" to combustibles. Also you can factor in the hight of your hearth to reduce that distance.

So see your owners manual and check local code requirements. You may also check in with your insurance agent on their requirements.

I hope this helps answer your question.