Why does my stove smoke or puff smoke?
Wood stoves emit puffs of smoke for various reasons. Ensuring proper function involves following wood-burning best practices. Below, we explain why your stove may emit smoke and what to do about it.
Using Seasoned Wood (20% or Less Moisture Content)
Unseasoned, or "green wood," is a major cause of inefficient burns and excessive smoke. High moisture content in green wood leads to smoke plumes, affecting your stove, venting, atmosphere and health. It's essential to season your firewood properly.
Learn more about how to season wood: How to Tell Your Firewood is Ready to Burn | Forge & Flame.
Adequate Pipe and Chimney Height
Your chimney should be at least 16 feet from the stovetop. Venting vertically through the roof keeps the venting warmer, ensuring better draft efficiency. This helps to reduce chimney soot and maintain a strong draft.
Enough Draft
Adequate draft is crucial for safe and efficient stove operation. Insufficient draft can lead to smoke entering your home, poor combustion and creosote buildup in the chimney. Common issues include air leaks from a loose or missing clean-out, loose flue collar or gaps in the connector pipe. To maintain a strong draft, ensure all connections are tight, inspect and maintain the chimney regularly and use properly seasoned wood. Sealing cracks in masonry chimneys and using a chimney cap also help.
Proper Maintenance and Cleaning
Regular maintenance prevents creosote buildup, which can block the pipe, reduce draft quality and cause chimney fires. Inspect your chimney yearly, looking for excess buildup or a glossy sheen inside the pipe. Even if the buildup isn’t visible, clean your chimney before each season. To ensure proper maintenance, we recommend hiring a professional chimney sweep.
For details on how to clean a chimney and creosote remover options, read more:
