Grenadier Firelighter Problem

MRSCARNEY

I purchased a Grenadier firelighter after reading good reviews about them. Having tried it for the first time tonight it did light the wood but I ended up with a room full of smoke

I was using the same wood as normal and using that wood and firelighters has never been a problem. I understand that once the wood is lit you need to turn off the heat and let the fan blow to spread the flames but this just made smoke pour into the room and obviously you can't shut the door when the Grenadier is in place.

I'm would be grateful if some of you experienced Grenadier users out there could help me out PLEASE.

A._Badger

I hate to say this, but that can only be due to an insufficient draught. Are you sure your chimney isn't blocked somehow?

Cardew

I used them for years and never had that problem.

You need to get the wood fairly well alight and then turn to fan only.

Is this the first time you have lit a fire this year? As said above you need to see if your chimney is blocked(bird nest perhaps?)

All the firelighter does is start flame and provide a draft. Try lighting a fire the normal way and see if you still have a problem.

MRSCARNEY

Thanks for the comments so far. The stove has only been fitted 3 weeks, we had a new chimney liner and we have no problems when lighting with firelighters.

I wonder if the problem is down to the design of the stove - it's a Dunsley Yorkshire and the air comes in from the top not the bottom. I guess this would force any smoke down and out of the front. When using firelighters, once lit we close the door only leaving it open a small amount until the fire takes hold properly whereas with the Grendier we obviously have to leave it wide open until the fan has got the fire going.

A._Badger

That's very strange. Solid fuel (as opposed to wood) is usually reckoned to need air coming from beneath to burn properly, so I've no idea how Dunsley handle this need.

With my stove and a Grenadier I do partially close the doors (in fact as much as I can) because it seems to create a better draught and reduces the risk of sparks, but of you are getting that much smoke, I doubt that would help.

I think you might be best asking both Dunsley and Greandier what they think.

MRSCARNEY

Thanks for all the above advice, I think I'll give them both a call and see what they advise.

AGAgirl

Hi.

I have a Clearview stove and have always lit it by twisting a few sheets of old newspaper, then some dried twigs, and then logs on top. One match to the edge of the paper in two or three sites and shut the door with all vents open and it always works first time.

With the door shut you are forcing the air up the chimney, rather than have different thermals which can drift out the door.

I light all our open fires with the same method too.

Good luck.