Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Dec 07, 2007 08:56am | #1

   My woodstove is very sensitive to the position of the chimney damper. I have to completely open it when I open the fire door. It needs to be partially open when the fire is first starting. It can be fully closed when good hot coals are going. On particularly gusty days, I may get a blow back but very rarely. If I smell any smoke, it's easily cured with an adjustment to the damper. My stove/furnace is completely enclosed, no vents in the surround but the stove pipe is exposed and closest to dust sources. I don't let it pile up but some accumulates. I have never had it burn or smoke.

   I think the Ashley has some sort of self regulating damper. It's been a long time since I've seen one. I think they also have vents/openings in the shroud. If your fire is roaring, it could burn some accumulated sawdust. It's easy enough to remove the shroud and look for charcoal. If the fire is roaring, you are losing a lot of heat up the chimney and your wood will burn up faster. The damper should help control this at a more moderate burn rate. Some stoves have air vents for the fire. Regulating these will also help control the burn. I would check out the damper to be sure it's moving and not crudded up. Check all the pipe fittings too. They should have screws or rivets securing all the pipes and elbows.

   Other things can have an effect on stoves. Worn door gaskets, too much ash, a chimney that isn't drawing well, type and condition of the wood. I've found most stoves are a little quirky. To get a good burn all the conditions have to be correct. The smell of smoke often indicates something isn't right. Sometimes it's a window that is slightly unsealed and the smoke is coming from outside. With a proper burning woodstove, nobody should be able to know what you are heating with. There shouldn't be any smoke smell at all, inside.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match