Gark
ArboristSite Operative
Every season, the first few burns with the indoor woodstove causes a wierd odor through the house and then it stops. It's definitely not wood combustion smell- more (metallic). We clean (vacuum, dust and wipe) all parts of the stove, stovepipe and surround before first fire but still get that smell. The inner surfaces of the flue and pipe are thoroughly brushed and vacuumed beforehand. Used to get same (metallic) smell first burns from a drip-type fuel oil furnace too, then it stopped smelling funky after 2-3 fires.
1. Is this normal?
2. What causes this?
3. How to avoid the smell?
We have a Fisher (first generation, inefficient, sherman-tank iron) stove that vents rearward to a short 8" dia. pipe into clay-lined vertical chimney flue with excellent draft. The new fire smell doesn't worry us, but what causes it? Thanks for your ideas.
1. Is this normal?
2. What causes this?
3. How to avoid the smell?
We have a Fisher (first generation, inefficient, sherman-tank iron) stove that vents rearward to a short 8" dia. pipe into clay-lined vertical chimney flue with excellent draft. The new fire smell doesn't worry us, but what causes it? Thanks for your ideas.