Smelling Stove after non-use over summer!

DriversEd

hi,
a little help on this if you can please.
i have had an ongoing problem with our stove in the sittingroom. and worse still, after replacing the first stove as a remedy, the second is now doing the same.
we first installed a mulberry 6kw non boiler and as its a new house, the flue came up from the top and turned into the wall and into a standard chimney from there. we used this without issue for the first season with no problems at all. then the smell, very similar to the original 'curing' smell, came along, we think when it was very hot? but then all the time. we always and only burn softwood or hardwood and briquettes to start the fire. as i'm a firewood producer, i have no issues with the fuel, and no problems from my customers ever, so that seems to be ok.
so we blamed the stove itself, and moved on. we replacved that stove with one i have in another room, a horseflame 6kw. again no issues for a good while. we installed this in january and used it with no problems until the end of the heating season. then no use over the summer. today we came back from a few days away and felt the chill, so lite the fire. only to be welcomed back with the same smell as before. a noxious smell that gives you a headache in minutes.

i'm stumped!

anyone any ideas?

ed

Outkast_IRE

duffsaw wrote: »

hi,
a little help on this if you can please.
i have had an ongoing problem with our stove in the sittingroom. and worse still, after replacing the first stove as a remedy, the second is now doing the same.
we first installed a mulberry 6kw non boiler and as its a new house, the flue came up from the top and turned into the wall and into a standard chimney from there. we used this without issue for the first season with no problems at all. then the smell, very similar to the original 'curing' smell, came along, we think when it was very hot? but then all the time. we always and only burn softwood or hardwood and briquettes to start the fire. as i'm a firewood producer, i have no issues with the fuel, and no problems from my customers ever, so that seems to be ok.
so we blamed the stove itself, and moved on. we replacved that stove with one i have in another room, a horseflame 6kw. again no issues for a good while. we installed this in january and used it with no problems until the end of the heating season. then no use over the summer. today we came back from a few days away and felt the chill, so lite the fire. only to be welcomed back with the same smell as before. a noxious smell that gives you a headache in minutes.

i'm stumped!

anyone any ideas?

ed

to me the alarm bells are ringing when you say headache and noxious generally a bad sign, i would say the room may have inadequate ventilation is there a open wall vent in the room? and personally i would always reccomend putting a flue liner in the chimney

DoneDL

Is there ventilation in the room for the stove and is the chimney clear.

DriversEd

hi guys,
there is a room vent. the stove is not vented itself, but why would i be having problems after not having them beforehand?

DoneDL

Did you use the same installer, I would be looking at any sealants as these can give off fumes.

maddragon

Seal may be gone in the door or chimney might be partially blocked. Get a carbon monoxide detector as well.

DriversEd

the only sealants used was fire cement. the stove is new, as we blamed the last stove eventually and removed it. now the same after a long non-use period with another stove. me thinks its something other that the stove itself. im going to check the chimney and the pipe from the stove etc at next opportunity and i'll come back to you then, thanks a lot.

DoneDL

duffsaw, does the chimney have a cowl or similar.