The process of burning fuel on a wood-burning/multifuel stove has remained constant for many years. Yes, we have seen tweaks with the technology, additional services added but the idea of setting the fuel alight, letting the gases escape through the flue and enjoying the deep seated heat have not change. One issue that you will likely come across at some point is that of smoke seeping back into your room once you have fired up your stove.
Why would smoke seep back into the room?
There are a number of reasons why smoke may seep back into the room from your stove. These include:-
• Pocket of air stuck in the flue (most common)
• Strong winds
• Poor draw
• Lack of ventilation
• Exposed location
We will take a look at the issues associated with a pocket of air stuck in the flue, what this will cause and how to avoid it.
What causes an air pocket?
There are a variety of reasons why you may have an air pocket in your flue such as a blockage, lack of airflow through the room or specific weather conditions. Even though stoves of today are finely tuned machines, a simple air pocket in your flue can cause havoc with your stove output and safety. The best way to avoid air pockets is to leave the air vents on your stove open when not in use. This will encourage natural ventilation through your room. This continuous flow will minimise the risk of an air pocket forming in your flue/chimney and causing smoke to be released into your room.
How to disburse an air pocket
There is a very simple and effective way to disburse an air pocket trapped in your flue/chimney. Place a sheet of newspaper over the wood/other fuel you are using and set the paper alight in several places. The sudden burst of heat will likely dislodge the air pocket, thereby creating natural ventilation up through the flue/chimney. This process is very simple, nothing to worry about and will rectify a problem which can be serious.
Some of the other issues associated with air pockets include:-
Strong winds
There will be occasions where strong winds can impact the flow of air up through the flue/chimney and into the atmosphere. In this scenario it is vital to get the right cowl to prevent backdraft and the issues this can cause.
Poor draw
If there is poor draw when lighting your stove then this will not create the heat required to begin the airflow out of the stove and through the flue/chimney. Therefore, you may need to open the air vents a little more and we strongly recommend referring back to the manufacturers guidelines.
Exposed property location
It is very important to take advice about the best location for your flue as well as the most appropriate cowl. Exposed property locations can cause significant problems especially if the flue is placed on the wrong side of the building. Any HETAS engineer will be able to advise you on this particular issue.
Lack of ventilation
A lack of natural ventilation in your room can also hinder the creation of airflow which takes all gases out of the stove, up the flue and into the atmosphere. Again, a HETAS engineer will be to advise you on specific issues and how these can be addressed. It may be something as simple as leaving the room door open or even opening the stove vents when not in use.
Conclusion
There are a number of common reasons why rooms can be filled with smoke, one of which is a trapped air pocket. However, while this is the most common issue it is not the only situation which can cause this often frightening occurrence. It is important to take advice off the installer, manufacturer and the retailer from whom you bought the stove. If you have any issues please feel free to contact us at any time and we will do our best to assist you.