Vanity! Question about backdraft in a wood burning stove

11/17/12 | self

[jsh3180]

I've been heating my home primarily with a wood burning stove for two years. A Napoleon 1400. In the past couple of weeks, I've been getting a smoke backdraft into the room when I open to load more logs. The wood is well seasoned, but I'm guessing I may have an obstruction in the air intake, preventing a proper draft. Anyone have a similar problem in the past and how best to deal with it? I have supplemental gas heat, but much prefer to use the wood stove. Thanks in advance!

[CGASMIA68]

http://firewoodresource.com/firewood-btu-ratings/

Heres a good chart to ref BTU contained in dif species of wood.
Note the dif in weight between green and dry.

I am fortunate to have access to loads of Shagbark Hickory and right now there are 4 that were dropped and cleaned off last week cut into 5 foot lengths I can barley pick up.Bye next year I will be able to handle them no problem as they will have lost that much weight.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My son in Seattle has the same issue. His wood burns up like paper.

Good luck...

[NoCmpromiz]

We simply cut out the screen,

Just an additional thought.. Depending on the type of flue cap you have, you might need to keep in mind that a screen spark arrestor also serves to keep critters (squirrels and sparrows come to mind) from taking up residence inside your chimney during that part of the year when you aren't blowing smoke up it...

So you might need to replace the screen with a suitable critter stopper ;-)

[Cicero]

So far so good.

But I probably should have been even more specific. It was a tin sheet with holes cut in it. We removed that and put in a wire mesh fence instead, which lets a lot more air through.

That, and the metal roof!

[S.O.S121.500]

Ask which ever professional you consult about lengthening your stack to increase draft.

[rockinqsranch]

I read your post earlier this morning, but was in the middle of trying to find out what was wrong with my fireplace as the house was filling up with smoke whenever I lit a fire.

My problem is a fireplace, NOT a wood stove, but maybe what I found will help.

I had previously cleaned the flue with the brush, and the connectable rods. I went back up topside this morning, and cleaned it again.

Previously I had vacuumed the intake vent outside of the chimney, but thought maybe it might still be clogged, so I put an air valve hooked to my 5 hp Devilbiss twin tank Contractors gas compressor, and put 125 psi to the sucker,

Then I lit the fireplace. Have been enjoying a smoke free house all this afternoon, and evening.

It was the exterior air intake near the bottom of the chimney that was plugged NOT the flue of the chimney.

Take it for what it’s worth. Just thought I’d pass it along.

[cherry]

wood chopper/spitter/burner husband having burned wood for 30 some years: check your chimney...

[geologist]

Good decision. Smart ... to not take chances.
Be well. A warm inviting fire in the fireplace is one of my favorite things about cool weather. Now the patio fire pit tables are popular. Here it is too dry. Drought, so it is basically forbidden to have out door flames.