What To Know
- Air leaks around the stove or in the chimney can allow cold air to enter, which can cool the fire and cause it to go out.
- If the pressure drops, you may need to adjust the stove settings or use a fan to increase the draft.
- With a little patience and care, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of a wood burning stove for many years to come.
If your wood burning stove keeps going out, it can be frustrating and inconvenient. The good news is that there are usually some simple reasons why this happens, and with a little troubleshooting, you can get your stove up and running again in no time.
Causes of Stove Extinguishment
There are several common reasons why a wood burning stove may keep going out. These include:
- Insufficient Draft: A draft is necessary to draw air into the stove and carry away the smoke and gases produced by combustion. If the draft is too weak, the fire will not be able to burn properly and will eventually go out.
- Poor Quality Wood: Wood that is too wet or green will not burn well and will produce a lot of smoke. This smoke can clog the chimney and reduce the draft, which can lead to the stove going out.
- Overloading the Stove: Loading the stove with too much wood at once can smother the fire and cause it to go out.
- Incorrect Stovepipe Installation: The stovepipe should be properly sized and installed to ensure good draft. If the stovepipe is too small, it will restrict the flow of air and cause the stove to go out.
- Dirty Chimney: A dirty chimney can block the flow of air and cause the stove to go out.
- Air Leaks: Air leaks around the stove or in the chimney can allow cold air to enter, which can cool the fire and cause it to go out.
- Barometric Pressure Changes: Changes in barometric pressure can affect the draft in your chimney. If the pressure drops, the draft will be weaker and the stove may go out.
Troubleshooting Tips
Once you have identified the possible cause of your stove going out, you can take steps to troubleshoot the problem. Here are some tips:
- Check the Draft: You can check the draft by holding a piece of paper near the stovepipe. If the paper is sucked in, there is a good draft. If the paper does not move, the draft is too weak.
- Use Dry, Seasoned Wood: Only burn dry, seasoned wood in your stove. Wet or green wood will not burn well and will produce a lot of smoke.
- Load the Stove Properly: Do not overload the stove with wood. Load the stove with a few small pieces of wood at a time and let them burn down before adding more wood.
- Inspect the Stovepipe: Make sure the stovepipe is properly sized and installed. The stovepipe should be at least 6 inches in diameter and should extend at least 3 feet above the roofline.
- Clean the Chimney: A dirty chimney can block the flow of air and cause the stove to go out. Clean the chimney regularly, especially if you burn a lot of wood.
- Seal Air Leaks: Inspect the stove and chimney for any air leaks. Seal any leaks with caulk or weatherstripping.
- Monitor Barometric Pressure: Keep an eye on the barometric pressure. If the pressure drops, you may need to adjust the stove settings or use a fan to increase the draft.
Additional Tips
In addition to the troubleshooting tips above, here are a few more things you can do to help keep your wood burning stove going:
- Use a fire starter: A fire starter can help to get the fire going quickly and easily.
- Open the damper: The damper is a metal plate that controls the flow of air into the stove. Open the damper wide when you are starting a fire or adding wood.
- Stir the coals: Stirring the coals can help to keep the fire burning evenly.
- Don’t let the fire burn too low: If the fire burns too low, it will eventually go out. Keep the fire burning at a moderate level.
Final Thoughts: Troubleshooting Success
If you follow these troubleshooting tips, you should be able to get your wood burning stove up and running again in no time. With a little patience and care, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of a wood burning stove for many years to come.
Common Questions and Answers
Q: Why does my wood burning stove keep going out when I open the door?
A: When you open the door, cold air rushes into the stove and cools the fire. This can cause the fire to go out. To prevent this, open the door slowly and only when necessary.
Q: Why does my wood burning stove keep going out when I add wood?
A: Adding too much wood at once can smother the fire and cause it to go out. Add wood to the stove gradually, and let the fire burn down before adding more wood.
Q: Why does my wood burning stove keep going out when it’s windy?
A: Wind can create a downdraft in the chimney, which can pull the smoke and gases out of the stove and cause the fire to go out. To prevent this, make sure the stovepipe is properly sealed and that there are no air leaks around the stove or chimney.
