Solid Fuel Stoves Ripon Options



Do not get smoked! Discover three common reasons why smoke is not cleared adequately from solid fuel stoves, and find out what you can do to prevent it from happening.

Solid fuel stoves are a practical and attractive feature in any home, but it is very irritating when the chimney is not clearing the smoke properly. In this article we will look at three common reasons why smoke is not cleared adequately from solid fuel stoves, and discuss what you can do to prevent this happening.

Inadequate Ventilation:

In Solid Fuel Stoves the fuel is burned, requiring air for combustion. A constant supply of new air is required in the room to replace the air that is lost in the burning process itself and the draught of air driving the smoke up the chimney. Most modern homes are built with double glazing and constructed to meet building standards which create a more air-tight environment to minimise draughts. As a result, there is often an inadequate supply of air within the room once the solid fuel stove has been burning for a while. , if new air can not enter the room there is not enough air available to support the fire and supply a steady draught through the flue to push the smoke out.

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There is a simple way to investigate whether inadequate ventilation is causing your solid fuel stove to create smoke in the room. All you have to do is leave a window or door open for a while, and see if the smoke is now clearing away properly. If this does appear to solve the problem, you will need to look at permanent ways to allow more ventilation.

Quality of Fuel:

Solid Fuel Stoves are tested to sufficient standards using good quality coal. The use of other fuels such as turf or timber, particularly damp or unseasoned wood, may result in combustion at a lower temperature. Inadequate burning at reduced temperature will affect the efficiency at which the flue extracts the smoke.

Then change to high grade coal for a while and see of the amount of smoke reduces, if you think the choice of fuel may be contributing to the smoke problem. There may still be a problem if there is residual build up within the flue and you may need to have it cleaned out.

Downdraft from Outside:

Locating the solid fuel stove chimney at a correct position where it exits onto the roof is extremely important. In a sheltered spot the chimney may be affected by a downdraft, for example:

(i) If the chimney finishes below the highest point of the roof, it will be in a sheltered position when the wind blows from the other side. The air blows over the high part of the roof and curls down over the flue exit causing a downdraft, and pushing the smoke back down into the room.

(ii) The same effect can result from high trees or buildings in the vicinity of the chimney. As the air current moves over and gets drawn down to the flue exit point.

(iii) There may be other flues or ventilation systems such as extraction fans, air conditioning, chimneys from other fires or boilers, expelling air in the vicinity of the solid fuel stove chimney. This will cause air currents which may hinder the clearance of smoke, so that the hot air from the fire is not drawn up the chimney properly.

If your smoke problem is caused by a downdraft, then you can try extending the chimney upwards or at an angle to a better location. Sometimes obstacles such as high trees and bushes causing the sheltered area can be removed or trimmed back to expose the flue to the wind allowing the smoke to be dispersed easily.

A modern reproduction stove that can burn a variety of fuels may be a better option if you are planning to use it as your main source of heating, since most antique stoves are not that airtight and as a result much less efficient heat producers.

The reinvention of the traditional solid fuel stove as a practical design feature within the home, allied with modern heating technology utilizing modern fuels, has become a present day success story. Discover three common reasons why smoke is not cleared adequately from solid fuel stoves, and find out what you can do to prevent it from happening.

In Solid Fuel website Stoves the fuel is burned, requiring air for combustion. There is a simple way to investigate whether inadequate ventilation is causing your solid fuel stove to create smoke in the room.

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