Wood Stove problem

[coachgrd]

Hello everyone. I had hoped to burn wood in our Quadra-Fire 3100 Step Top stove through March but lately I've finding it very tough to get a fire going and maintaining one. I immediatley thought I must have creosote build up so I went roof top and cleaned the stack. I then cleaned inside of the stove, including the ash pan. Still having the same issues. The stove is 3 years old.

My wood is dry, been seasoning under cover for 2+ years. I did remove the burn tubes and replaced them in the proper order. All seals appear in good shape.

Is there some other maintenance on the stove that I am over looking? It just does not appear to be getting the air flow it did in the past. If I crack the ash pan door, air appears to flow in, fanning the flames. (I know this is a big no-no.) The glass does not appear to be cleaning it self either, which makes me think there must be an air circulation issue.

I'm going to give the place where I purchased it a call tomorrow and see if they have any suggestions...until then, anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks!
Gary

 

[Army grunt]

You may have missed some stuff obstructing the air going in. when you shovel it out there may have been some ash pushed into the air holes. Dont try to vac. these out you could get a hot ash in vac. use a bottle brush.
Army Grunt

 

[Kayakin2]

You might also look at changes which might have changed the air source for the stove. Heavy snowfall might even have blocked normal air inlets. Take a look at the items on page 6 of your stove's installation manual: http://www.quadrafire.com/~/media/Files/Quadrafire/Installation%20Manuals/man_3100_ACC.ashx
Enjoy your stove! :thumbsup:

 

[DennisArrow]

Sounds like you are doing all of the right things........I use on a regular basis one of the "creosote removers" that burn during a really hot fire........Seems to make a difference for me in blasting through some of the smaller orifices in my Waterford Ashling........

Lately, while going into a section of the wood stack, it seemed as if I was having what YOU describe......just would not catch nor burn..........I changed to a different portion of the stack and HEAT with NO problems......Seems I had gotten into a section of what must be really hard, dense, and not dried out hickory.........I now combine this with wood that is further down the stack from different timber and all is well.......Good luck.....Dennis

 

[coachgrd]

You might also look at changes which might have changed the air source for the stove. Heavy snowfall might even have blocked normal air inlets. Take a look at the items on page 6 of your stove's installation manual: http://www.quadrafire.com/~/media/Files/Quadrafire/Installation%20Manuals/man_3100_ACC.ashx
Enjoy your stove! :thumbsup:

Thanks for the replies everyone, keep them coming.

I'm wondering about this snow build-up...this very well may be the problem as we have a good 16-24" on the roof. I will try to shovel some today and report back!
gary

 

[jimmyj]

How high is the top of the chimney over the snow on the roof? I think you need some good distance to help with the draft. Open a window a crack when you are starting the fire too help the draft.

Let us know what you figure out please.

 

[Kayakin2]

Gary,
The heavy snow cover just sometimes seals a home's air infiltration spots causing the house to no longer have the air which normally fed your fire.
Good luck!

 

[scesnick]

have you looked at your stove pipe? I'm guessing there is an elbow on it somewhere. Take it apart and see if it is clogged at the elbow or on any horizontal run of the pipe.

 

[sal64]

is the top of your chimney higher then your roof?

 

[Mousefield]

The other posts have given you good ideas. My guess is snow could be blocking air getting into the house not allowing for a good draft. As previously suggested try opening a window a bit in the room that the stove is in. If that seems to solve the problem then look at the normal vents into your house for blockage by snow. It also could be that, because of cold you have somehow made your house more air tight.