Why Won't my Wood Burner Draw properly?
Quick Answer: A wood burner needs a good chimney draught to work properly. The draught pulls air through the stove and carries the products of combustion safely up the chimney.
If the draught is weak or inconsistent, the fire can be difficult to light, produce too little heat, or allow smoke to enter the room.
Fortunately, poor draught usually has an identifiable cause.
What are the signs of poor chimney/flue draught?
A wood burner that isn't drawing properly may show several signs:
- The fire is difficult to light.
- The fire won't stay lit.
- The stove burns slowly even when the air controls are fully open.
- The stove doesn't seem to produce enough heat.
- Smoke enters the room when the door is opened.
- Smoke comes into the room while the fire is burning.
- The chimney seems reluctant to carry smoke away.
If you regularly experience these problems, it's worth finding out why, rather than simply trying to burn the fire harder.
Why won't my wood burner draw properly?
There are several possible reasons for poor draught. Some are simple and temporary, while others may require the chimney or installation to be checked.
The chimney or flue is cold
A cold chimney may not establish a good draught when the fire is first lit. This is particularly noticeable if the stove has not been used for some time, especially in Autumn.
Once the chimney warms up, the rising warm air should create a stronger draught.
Light the fire correctly and allow it to establish itself before reducing the air supply.
Has the chimney been swept recently?
A chimney containing soot, tar or other deposits can become restricted, reducing the flow of gases.
A regular chimney sweep is not just about keeping the chimney clean. A restricted flue will affect the performance of the stove and, more importantly, the safe removal of combustion gases.
If your stove has gradually become harder to light or seems to be drawing less well than it used to, a chimney that needs a sweep is one possibility worth considering.
Is your chimney or flue suitable?
The height, diameter and design of the chimney or flue all affect draught.
A chimney that is too short, incorrect diameter, or contains excessive bends may not produce the draught the stove requires.
If poor draught has been a problem since the stove was installed, the installation itself may need to be checked.
Does the room have enough air?
Your wood burner needs a supply of air for combustion. If the room is well sealed, the stove may struggle to obtain enough air. This can be particularly noticeable in modern properties with improved insulation and airtight windows and doors.
Opening a nearby window slightly may sometimes make an obvious difference. If it does, the installation should be assessed to determine whether a permanent air supply is required.
Can the weather affect flue draught?
Yes. Wind direction, atmospheric conditions and the position of the chimney can all affect the way air moves around the chimney.
This sometimes produces a problem that appears only under particular weather conditions.
Why does my wood burner smoke?
Smoke entering the room is often a sign that the combustion gases aren't being drawn away from the stove properly.
A small amount of smoke may be produced when lighting a cold stove, or when opening the door too quickly to add logs, but persistent smoke should not be regarded as normal.
Poor chimney draught is one possible cause, but damp wood, incorrect operation and other problems can also contribute.
If smoke regularly enters the room, the cause should be investigated.
What is down draught?
Normally, warm combustion gases rise up the chimney and create the draught needed by the stove.
Down draught is the opposite: air is pushed or drawn down the chimney instead of allowing the normal upward flow.
It can occur under certain weather conditions and can be particularly troublesome where the chimney is affected by surrounding buildings, trees, roof structures or other obstacles.
Typical symptoms include difficulty lighting the stove, smoke entering the room and a fire that struggles to establish itself.
If you experience the problem only under particular wind conditions, down draught is something worth considering.
Persistent down-draught problems should be investigated rather than simply worked around.
How often should a chimney be swept?
There isn't one universal interval that applies to every wood burner.
How frequently a chimney needs sweeping depends on factors such as how often the stove is used, what is burned and the condition of the chimney and flue.
Regular sweeping helps remove deposits that can restrict the flue and helps maintain a safe route for combustion gases.
If the stove is becoming increasingly difficult to light or its draught appears to have deteriorated, don't wait for the problem to become severe before checking the chimney.
What should I do if my wood burner still won't draw properly?
If you've checked the obvious causes and the problem remains, it's time to look beyond the fire itself. Check:
- Is your wood dry?
- Are you operatingo the stove correctly?
- Is the chimney warm enough to establish a draught?
- Does the room have an adequate air supply?
- When was the chimney last swept?
- Could weather conditions or down draught be involved?
- Is your wood dry?
What to do next
If you're still having problems with draw, please get in touch with our showroom staff.