Why Wood Stove Smoking?

There are a number of reasons why wood stoves may smoke, including poor wood burning technique, wet or unseasoned wood, and a build-up of soot in the stove. Smoke from a wood stove can be annoying and potentially harmful to your health, so it’s important to understand why it happens and how to prevent it.

There are a few reasons your wood stove might be smoking. The first possibility is that the flue isn’t open enough. If the flue is only slightly open, the smoke has nowhere to go but into your home.

The second possibility is that you’re using unseasoned wood. Unseasoned wood contains a lot of moisture and will produce a lot of smoke when burned. The third possibility is that your wood stove needs to be cleaned.

A build-up of soot and creosote can cause your stove to smoke, so it’s important to keep it clean. If you’re troubleshooting why your wood stove is smoking, start with these three possible causes. Once you’ve ruled them out, you’ll be able to enjoy the warmth of your wood stove without all the smoke!

1) Why Does My Wood Stove Smoke When I First Light It

If your wood stove is smoking when you first light it, there are a few potential causes. One possibility is that the flue isn’t open. The flue is the pipe that carries smoke and fumes up and out of the wood stove.

If it’s closed, or partially closed, those fumes will build up inside the stove and eventually start to come out through any cracks or openings. Another possibility is that you’re using wet or green wood. Wet wood doesn’t burn as hot or as cleanly as dry wood, so it can produce a lot of smoke.

Green wood (wood that hasn’t been properly seasoned) has a high moisture content and can also produce a lot of smoke. Finally, if your fire isn’t hot enough, it can cause smoking. A good rule of thumb is to let the fire burn for 15-20 minutes before adding any more fuel.

This will give it time to build up a good bed of coals which will provide consistent heat and minimize smoking.

Why Is My Woodstove Smoking Back Into My Home?

Conclusion

Wood stove smoking is often caused by a dirty chimney or flue. Soot and creosote can build up in the chimney, causing it to smoke. If you have a wood stove that is smoking, you should have your chimney cleaned by a professional.

You may also need to adjust the airflow to your stove.