Some advice in case of combustion problems
Error
The chimney is blocked
The flue is sooty or there is accumulated soot on the
No draught
smoke baffle
The smoke baffle is wrongly positioned
Downdraught in the room caused by no draught, that the
house is too "air tight".
Downdraught in the room – caused by extractor and/or
central ventilation system that pulls too much air out of
the room.
The flues from two fireplaces/stoves are connected to
the same chimney at the same height.
The flue is in a declining position from the smoke dome
to the chimney.
The flue is too far into the chimney.
The stove
release
Soot hatch in the basement or attic that is open and thus
smoke when
creating a false draught.
lighting the
fire and during
Damper/top draught vents or doors on fireplaces that are
combustion
not in use are open and create a false draught.
An open hole in the chimney after that a fireplace has
been removed, thus creating a false draught.
Defect masonry in the chimney, e.g. it is not airtight
around the flue pipe entry and/or broken partition inside
the chimney creating a false draught.
The cross-section in the chimney is too large which
results in no or very low draught.
The cross-section in the chimney is too small and the
chimney cannot carry out all the smoke.
The chimney is too low and hence a poor draught.
The stove
The chimney is too low in relationship to the surrounding
releases smoke
terrain, buildings, trees etc.
inside when
Turbulence around the chimney due to the roof being
it is windy
too flat.
outside.
The combustion receives too much oxygen due to a
The stove
leakage under the lower border of the stove or too strong
does not heat
chimney draught. Difficult to regulate the combustion and
sufficiently.
the wood burn up too quickly.
The smoke buffer is wrongly positioned.
In case of using oven-dried wood, this requires less air
Too much
supply than when using normal wood.
draught
The gaskets around the door are worn and totally flat.
The chimney is too large.
The wood is too wet.
The glass is
sooty
The air vent control is closed too tightly.
Bad combustion (the temperature is too low)
White glass
Using wrong material for combustion (such as: painted
or impregnated wood, plastic laminate, plywood etc)
Smoke is
A levelling out of pressure occurs in the burn chamber.
released when
the door is
The door is opened when there is a fire in the burn
opened
chamber.
The combustion temperature is too low.
White smoke
The wood is humid and contains water damp.
Black or grey/
Insufficient combustion.
black smoke
Explanation
Solution
Contact a chimney sweeper / dealer for more information or clean
the flue, smoke baffle and burn chamber.
Verify the assembly of the smoke baffle - see assembly instructions.
Light the fire with an open window. If this helps, more/bigger vents
must be installed in the room.
Turn off/regulate extractor and/or other ventilation. If this helps,
more vents must be installed.
One flue must be repositioned. The height difference of the two flue
pipes must be of at least 30 cm.
The flue must be moved so that there is an inclination of at least
10º from smoke dome to chimney. Possibly install a smoke suction
device*.
The flue must be reconnected so that it does not enter into the
chimney but ends 5 mm before the chimney inner wall. Possibly
install a smoke suction device*.
Soot hatches must always be closed. Hatches that are not tight or
are defected must be changed.
Close damper, doors and top draught vents on fireplaces that are
not in use.
Holes must be completely sealed off with masonry.
Seal and plaster all cracks and sites that are not tight.
The chimney must be refitted, possibly install a smoke suction
device*.
Change to a smaller fireplace or build new chimney with a larger
cross section. Possibly install a smoke suction device*.
Increase the height of the chimney and/or install a chimney cap/
smoke suction device*.
Increase the height of the chimney and/or install a chimney cap/
smoke suction device*.
Increase the height of the chimney and/or install a chimney cap/
smoke suction device*.
Any possible leakage must be sealed off. A draught regulator or
possibly a damper can reduce the chimney draught. NB! A leakage
of only 5 cm2 is enough for 30% of the heated air to disappear.
Verify the positioning of the smoke buffer – see assembly
instructions.
Turn down the air supply.
Replace the gaskets, contact your dealer.
Contact chimneysweeper or other professional for more details.
Only use dry wood with a humidity of maximum 20%.
Open the air vent control to add air to the combustion. When new
wood logs are inserted all vent controls should be completely
opened or the door slightly opened until the flames have a good
take on the wood.
Follow the guidelines in this user guide for correct combustion.
Ensure to use only dry and clean wood.
Open the air vent control for about 1 min before opening the door
– avoid opening the door too quickly.
Open the door carefully and/or only when there is hot ember.
Increase the air supply.
Ensure to use only dry and clean wood.
Increase the air supply.
*Electric top chimney fan