ESSE wood stove problem
Discussion
Nine months ago we had a Esse multifuel stove installed, had a few problems with the installation but got there in the end. We burn seasoned wood only but am finding that when we open the stove door to re-fuel we are getting smoke / fumes coming into the room. Even when we allow for the flue pipe to fully warm the problem is still there, but less so. The stove was installed by people working for the shop where we purchased the stove from and they used a S/S liner through the brick flue.
We have used stoves for the past thirty years + so have experience of how these things should work. I can't fathom out what is wrong but something must be, is it the retailer responsible to have a look and fix, the stove itself carries a one year warranty.
We have used stoves for the past thirty years + so have experience of how these things should work. I can't fathom out what is wrong but something must be, is it the retailer responsible to have a look and fix, the stove itself carries a one year warranty.
Thanks for suggestions, chimney is clear and the stove runs at a nominal 5kw, apparently we did not require a air brick. We do have the HETAS Certificate, thankfully, I expect if it goes to a rip out re-install I shall need this. Its all very disappointing at the moment to have the room subjected to smoke when we re-fuel. I like the wood smell but less so the room decoration being spoilt. Maybe should have gone for gas!
I am going to run the stove today to a very high temp' and then see if it still smokes into the room on re-fill.
I am going to run the stove today to a very high temp' and then see if it still smokes into the room on re-fill.
Thanks, we do open the top air control before opening for a five/ten seconds and open the door very gingerly and slowly, and it still puffs smoke into the room.
Yes others have suggested installing an air brick, although its a fairly largish room (22'x13') the supplier seemed to think an air brick would not be needed. Maybe they were wrong!
Yes others have suggested installing an air brick, although its a fairly largish room (22'x13') the supplier seemed to think an air brick would not be needed. Maybe they were wrong!
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
Does it give a decent heat output? Do you get sooty deposits on the glass? What do your flames look like - slow and lazy, or dancing about rapidly?
How old is your house, and what sort of windows do you have? This will tell us roughly how airtight it is.
How sure are you that your wood is decent, seasoned wood? Don't just accept what the seller told you, but look for the signs of well-seasoned wood: does it feel lightweight; are there cracks in it; do the logs sound hollow if you tap them together? If you don't have a moisture meter, you can get one for about a tenner - and this will tell you for sure: 20% is what you want to see, give or take a few percent.
One thing's for sure, there shouldn't really be any smoke present in the stove while it's burning, and hence no smoke should be coming out when you open it. And there shouldn't be much smoke coming out of your chimney, just a thin whisp, if that. The draw should be strong; when I open the door of my stove, I'm more worried about getting sucked in!
For what it's worth, mine is a small 5kW stove, although we do have an existing air brick and the house is a 1930s semi so not exactly airtight.
Thanks, the wood we are burning is at least 12 months standing logged up with open air stacking and lid on top. Some is older, the logs are defo' OK.How old is your house, and what sort of windows do you have? This will tell us roughly how airtight it is.
How sure are you that your wood is decent, seasoned wood? Don't just accept what the seller told you, but look for the signs of well-seasoned wood: does it feel lightweight; are there cracks in it; do the logs sound hollow if you tap them together? If you don't have a moisture meter, you can get one for about a tenner - and this will tell you for sure: 20% is what you want to see, give or take a few percent.
One thing's for sure, there shouldn't really be any smoke present in the stove while it's burning, and hence no smoke should be coming out when you open it. And there shouldn't be much smoke coming out of your chimney, just a thin whisp, if that. The draw should be strong; when I open the door of my stove, I'm more worried about getting sucked in!
For what it's worth, mine is a small 5kW stove, although we do have an existing air brick and the house is a 1930s semi so not exactly airtight.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Thursday 30th October 14:09
House is draught proof modern built in the 1960's double glazed.
Not much of a draw when we open the stove door at all and I must admit that although we have used stoves for decades this stove is one of the more 'high tech' airwash and overhead combustion types. It may be that we are not using the stove correctly as there is some soot on the glass door.
John : the stove did come with instruction book and I have had a re-read today. Going to light another fire today to see how it goes. (maybe hang a few kippers over the stove).
fatboy b said:
I find so-called seasoned wood crap, and have moved to kiln-dried. That said, most woodburners have an air-wash system to keep the glass clear. When you open the door, just open it slightly to let the air-wash stabilise, then open it fully. If I open mine quickly, smoke comes out.
Thanks to everyone for suggestions. Found the answer was as suggested here, open the door gently after the fire has settled. Seems it a very sensitive system and being new to this stove still learning how best to use, as someone else said, every stove is different! Thanks again all. 
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