Log burner roaring

guy0wen

Hi all

installed my fire fox 5 log/multi stove in the lounge, Have just pushed the pipes together for now but will add fire cement soon and have the chimney fully lined.

My question is when i had a test fire last night (when there was no wind at all) the flames inside the burner were rushing up the flue pipe as though somehtin was sucking them really hard even though i had the air wash and the main air control fully shut. this was within litterally minute of lighting he kindling.

Is this normal for burning dry soft wood? When i opended the door on the stove it increased the sucktion / draw even more. I'm worried about the amount of heat going up the flue and if the flue liner can take this sort of heat for long periods of time.

froo_gal

Hiya Guy, yes, that is normal for a wood burning stove, it can seem dramatic at first if you're not used to it! The 'sucking up' of the flames is exactly that - it shows your chimney has a good draw.

If you have DIY'd, I hope for safety sake you have studied and adhered to building regs doc J - as you will have witnessed, you have just installed a furnace that is designed to run at 200 - 250 degrees centigrade into your hearth - you are literally playing with fire and need to ensure the installation is sound and safe for both your family and home...

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7ewoH7FWT0

Chris in the video is a HETAS installer and an active member of this forum and hopefully will be along shortly with the benefit of his expertise...

crphillips

Thanks for linking to the video. It does show how a fire should operate and respond. Have a watch of it and see if your still having problems.

It is normal but when you close both vents the fire should simmer right down to where the flames disappear completely. If this isn't happening then check that the air controls are closing properly and that the rope seals on the doors are making a seal. Hinges or door catches may need adjustment if not.

It is completely normal for the fire to roar when the door is opened as there is no restriction on the amount of air available to the fire when the door is opened.

guy0wen

thanks guys, having a fire as we speak, its giving off a slightly fishy smell but i assume this is just the paint etc burning in. I have got the primary air and air wash fully closed down and im burning a mixture of soft and hard wood and its going great. it gets thhrough the wood very fast, i think i may have cut the logs to small tbh.


That video was helpful as well thanks.

I think for a beginer its almost scary how much heat these things give out.

muckybutt

Might be daft but plesemake sure the wood is as dry as possible before you burn it, damp or unseasoned wood will block a flue liner in a matter of days !

And remember to get it swept at least yearly.

guy0wen

the wood is dry 18% moisture according to a protimeter i have borrowed. That was in the middle btw, i split the wood and tested the cetre.

The wood has been split and left in our green house for 6 months so it has seasoned super quick.

crphillips

If it;s roaring away like mad it definately doesn't sound like a wet wood issue. To anyone else reading though dry firewood is the most important part of running a wood burner.