Common Problems With Wood Burning And Multi-fuel Stoves And How To Solve Them

If you're not an expert with wood burning stoves or multi-fuel stoves, there are problems or little quirks that crop up from time to time that can be daunting.
Here are some common problems and advice on how to fix them.

Difficulty lighting the stove
In most cases, problems lighting a stove are simply a result of not using the right materials or not preparing it properly.

Difficulty controlling the temperature of your stove or over-ignition
Believe it or not, your stove can get too hot. If you don't control the temperature of your stove, it can overheat or damage it.
A common cause is having too much oxygen entering the fire. Check all the seals on the stove door and glass to make sure that's not the problem. Make sure you are familiar with all the controls on the stove and the proper operation as detailed in the owner's manual.
If it is a boiler stove, check the thermostat control baffle for debris. In extreme cases, consider installing a flue stabilizer.

Smoke coming from the stove
Almost all stoves connected to a good chimney will not emit smoke or fumes into the room.
Smoke in the room usually indicates a problem with the flue. This is usually caused by a lack of ventilation. The flue or chimney needs to supply air to the room to effectively remove the smoke.
Another common cause is a stove vent hood in the room or an adjoining room. These hoods sometimes draw smoke and fumes back into the chimney.

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Cracked refractory clay flue seal
A cracked refractory clay seal around the furnace outlet looks messy and unsightly. Mix refractory clay with heat resistant fiberglass rope, this will bond the refractory clay and stop cracks from forming.

Paint Odor
New furnaces sometimes emit a paint odor when they are first fired up, but it disappears after a few days. This happens while the paint is curing. Check your instruction manual for more information.
An odor that persists for more than 3-4 days indicates some kind of problem. In this case contact the manufacturer.

Deteriorated bars or grates
All stoves and grates deteriorate with use, some more quickly than others. The type of fuel you use, the rate of combustion and the frequency of ash removal are all key factors in their longevity.
Check your owner's manual for the best fuel to use. Always avoid petroleum fuels - sometimes called "petroleum coke". Damage can also be exacerbated by over-burning the unit and leaving the ash pit door or all vents open for long periods of time.
Clean ashes from a multi-fuel burner regularly and make sure there is air circulation around the bar to reduce the temperature of the bar. If the ash pan fills to the point where the ash touches the crossbar, it will be prematurely damaged.

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Dirty and difficult to clean glass
Most modern stoves are fitted with an air wash to keep the glass clean while burning. Read the unit's operating manual to familiarize yourself with the operation of the air cleaner.
If it is working properly, the air cleaning unit will burn soot off the glass when the stove is in use.
The best time to clean glass by hand is shortly after lighting. Use a damp cloth before the glass becomes too hot. Soot is easily wiped off.
Performing this operation when the glass is too hot will cause the water on the cloth to turn to steam and should be avoided. Stubborn stains can be removed by dipping the cloth into the ash in the ash tray and then wiping the stain.
Using abrasive cleaning solutions or cloths can damage the glass and make it more difficult to clean in the future.

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