Wood furnance back smoke

[Kevin Stehle]

Wondering if anyone knows how I can stop my wood furnance from puffing back smoke about 5 to 10 minutes after reloading. I get a big puff of smoke in the basement almost everytime I reload. It puffs out the ash pan door, load door and all seams on the stack pipe. Thanks, Kstehle

 

[MikeD74T]

What you're experiencing is called a backdraft or smoke explosion in the firefighting world. Wood rapidly heated by hot coals without adequate air to burn causes a buildup of explosive gas, primarily carbon monoxide. When there's finally enough oxygen the buildup will ignite & rapidly expand causing the puff. Under controlled conditions wood gas is volatile enough to run an engine. (search for "wood gas" it's an interesting read)

When you refuel try sticking around for a few (2-4) minutes longer before you reduce the airflow into the stove. Let the inital gas burn off. As the char forms on the new wood gas production slows some. If you have a stovepipe damper you may also want to leave it a little bit more open. MikeD74T

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: Kevin

MikeD had some good explanation and cause/effect for you to think about.

Suggestion: be sure the chimney flue is clean and free of last years buildup. Keeping draft open long enough to get a warm chimney and good updraft is important.

Also, you have posted a question in the member introduction Board, and I'd suggest if more information needed or more questions, post them in a Board (like this one in Rural Living maybe) that will get you more reads and responses.

But you will find TBN friendly and willing to help.

 

[tommu56]

My double drum stove would "belch" the same way from time to time when it wasn't all that cold out producing poor draft.

I figure it making a back draft/ 3rd stage of fire heat fuel no oxygen then lighting off

My cure was run it hotter fire it more often with smaller wood

tom

 

[s78wingrider]

WARNING! This backdraft can happen while your loading furnace! (I found out the hard way) With the door open, don't stand directly in front, at least until it is drawing good, or never if you can. It put me flat on the floor with some minor burning. By the force, I think I was lucky!

 

[Egon]

One of my Aunts died after inhaling fire/smoke from a back flash when lighting a fire in the stove.

 

[beenthere]

Not good to open the firebox door when the draft/damper has been closed. The buildup of gasses are just waiting for some oxygen to explode. Best to first open the damper or crack the door very slightly to let the fire get going again slowly, without a blast. Beenthere too.