FAQ - After Purchasing a Fireplace

Cleaning and maintenance of the slow combustion closed system fireplaces Smoke, draft and chimney for the slow combustion closed system fireplaces Replacement parts for the slow combustion closed system fireplaces Installation of the slow combustion closed system fireplaces Fuel for the slow combustion closed system fireplaces Others regarding the slow combustion closed system fireplaces

The glass in my stove is full of soot – what could be wrong?

Soot will appear on the glass if the combustion temperature is too low or if the lighting period is too short. When lighting the stove a lot of air must be supplied to warm up the chimney. Open the riddling grate and the air controls. If necessary, open the door a bit to supply as much air as possible. When the kindling have turned into embers, dry wood is supplied. Plenty of air must still be supplied. Besides, wet wood or poor draft conditions might cause sooty glass. Ask your Chimney sweep to measure the draft in your chimney.

How do I remove soot from the door glass?

You can clean the glass using Dovre Glass Cleanser or any other glass cleaner. This must be done when the stove is cold. If heavy soot built-ups appear, use treble ammonia water to clean the glass. Soot may appear on the glass if the combustion temperature is too low or if the air controls are used incorrectly. Don’t use any scorchers which might damage the glass surface.

How often should the stove be cleaned for soot and ashes?

The stove needs to be cleaned up at least once a year. But naturally depending on how much the stove is used. The baffle is removed from the stove and cleaned up. Note that the stove must be cold when cleaned up. Remove all residue and ash from the inside. If the baffle is fixed clean on top of the baffle with something like a vacuum cleaner. The outside surface will be kept well if vacuum cleaned with a soft nozzle. If necessary wipe the stove with a moist cloth, but only when the stove is completely cold. Be careful when choosing cleaning materials as the paint may be damaged by acid or ammonia.

How do I clean the surface of a painted stove?

The surface will be kept well if vacuum cleaned with a soft nozzle. If necessary wipe the stove with a moist cloth, but only when the stove is completely cold. Be careful when choosing cleaning materials as the paint may be damaged by acid. If necessary, use mild detergent or brown soap. The painted surface may in the course of time get a grey tinge; but the stove can easily be freshened up with a special heat-resistant spray-paint, which can be bought from your dealer. The stove must dry 24 hours before being used again. Some fumes will be given off by the paint. Ventilate the room during this phase.

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There is soot in my chimney; how did that happen?

If the temperature is too low you might experience tarry soot or creosote in your chimney. The combustion temperature will be too low if not enough air is supplied compared to the amount of wood. Tarry soot is easily recognized as a brown sticky coat. Supply more secondary air to increase the temperature. A stove pipe thermometer placed on the lower part of the flue pipe will indicate if the air supply is correct. The flue gas temperature must be approx. 250° C. If the flue gas temperature is considerably lower, tarry soot may be created in the chimney. If the flue gas temperature exceeds 250 – 300° C, the inside parts might be superheated. Superheating can damage the inside parts of your stove.

Smoke is coming out into my living room when I open the stove door. How do I avoid that?

Do not open the door before the wood is burned all the way down to embers. When opening the door, a lot of cold air will get in contact with the flames which may cause smoke inconveniences. If you for some reason have to open the door before the wood is burned to embers, this has to be done carefully. Let the door stand on a 2cm gap for a moment before opening it completely. Another reason might be poor draft conditions. A chimney sweeper is able to measure the draft.

There is not enough draft in the chimney. What can I do?

If the chimney is too low, not well insulated or has a leak, you may experience draft problems. Let the chimney sweep take a look at it and measure the draft. It is essential that the chimney is well heated during the lighting period. Use a lot of kindling and 1-2 fire starters. Open the grate and the door a bit if necessary. When the kindling has burned to embers, 2-3 pieces of dry wood are added. Plenty of air is still supplied.

What kind of chimney is the best?

Steel chimney or a well-insulated brick chimney. They both have to be min. 4 meters to get an optimum draft in the chimney. Besides, the height of the chimney you have to make sure that the chimney is free from the roof ridge to avoid down-draft. The diameter of the chimney must be between 150-200 mm. If a brick chimney is not insulated the diameter must be more that 200 mm which, however, will also reduce the draft conditions. We therefore recommend an insulated chimney. It is a good idea to ask a chimney sweeper for advice.

How high should the chimney be?

The chimney must be at least 4 meters from the pipe connection to get an optimum draft. However, it also depends on how much draft the individual stove demands. The chimney demands 3-5 Pascal’s per meter depending on wind conditions and the surroundings (trees, buildings).

How should the diameter of the chimney be?

The diameter should be at least 150 mm and ought not to be more that 200 mm as this will reduce the temperature of the smoke and thereby cause poor draft conditions.

How long should the horizontal flue pipe from the stove to the chimney be?

The flue pipe from the stove to the chimney must be as short as possible to avoid cooling down the smoke. If the smoke does not have the right temperature, it may cause poor draft conditions and smoke inconveniences. Only one elbow ought to be connected to the stove as the smoke will face too much resistance.

Are the draft conditions different if the stove is fitted with a rear flue exit instead of a top rear flue exit?

We have not been able to measure any difference in the draft conditions between a stove fitted with a top flue exit instead of a rear flue exit. However, judging from experience a top flue exit is an advantage if the draft conditions are not optimum as the smoke will face less resistance and draft and smoke inconveniences can therefore be avoided. Most stoves are fitted with a top flue exit.

How often should a chimney sweep check the chimney?

Once or several times a year depending on your municipal requirements. It is recommendable that you clean up the stove once or twice a year yourself. It is essential to remove soot and ashes on the baffle as it will make the baffle last longer.

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The glass in my stove has cracked. What has happened and can I replace it myself?

Cracks on the glass may happen due to bumps from the wood. Besides, impurities may be found in the wood such as pebbles that may hit the glass during the combustion. If the glass has cracked, it naturally has to be replaced – Dovre has the necessary fibre rope for glass that can be bought at any Dovre dealer.

The bricks in my stove have cracked. Are they to be replaced?

Cracks in the bricks may happen due to bumps from the wood. There is no need to replace the bricks even though they are cracked. They do still insulate the fire chamber. The purpose of the bricks is to insulate the fire chamber to increase the combustion temperature. However, if they start crumbling, the insulation disappears. This may damage the cast iron and they do in this case have to be replaced.

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How far from inflammable material must the stove be installed?

Stoves must be installed at least 50 cm from inflammable material. If the stove is to be installed up against an non-inflammable wall, you can decide the distance yourself. Dovre recommends 10-15 cm for cleaning purposes.

Can I install my stove to a chimney where an oil burner already is installed?

Yes, as long as the height difference between the two installations is at least 25 cm. You are allowed to install two stoves to the same chimney if the height difference is min. 25 cm. However, do never install a stove to a chimney where a gas furnace already is installed. Use separate flue pipe stacks for each appliance.

Can I install my stove myself?

Yes, as long as the local building requirements are followed. The clearance distances to combustible materials are to be kept. It may be a good idea to ask the chimney sweep for advice.

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What types of wood are preferable?

The heavy, hard types of wood, such as, acacia, blue gam and hardekool have a high heating value whereas the heating value of pine is low. Wet wood may cause smoke and air inconveniences. Timber refuse can be used if it is not impregnated or bleached with salt water or acid. Well seasoned wood is thus preferably.

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What are the advantages of radiant stoves?

Radiant stoves are fitted with one side panel which means that the stove emits a faster heat. Radiant stoves gets warmer on the surfaces than convection stoves which means the heat is more concentrated around the stove. Radiant stoves are often used in summer cottages where fast heat often is needed.

What are the advantages of convection stoves?

Convection stoves are fitted with an extra side panel. The distance between the two side panels is approx. 15cm. Cold air is led from below the stove and up between the two side panels, spreading pre-heated air into the room. The clearance distances to furniture in connection with convector stoves are shorter than to radiant stoves as the heat emission is not as hard. Besides, the heat is spread more evenly.

How many square meters is 1 kW?

1 kW is more or less equal to 10-20 m² depending on the insulation of the house. It is recommendable to choose a smaller stove as the combustion will get cleaner if you fire hard in a small stove instead of slumber use in a large stove.

How much ash should be left at the bottom of the stove?

At least 2-3 cm ashes are recommended for wood burning stoves only. The ashes insulate the base the same way as the bricks insulate the sides. The combustion temperature will get higher and the combustion clean. Besides, the ashes protect the riddling grate. Note when the ash can is emptied, the ashes must be kept in the ash bucket a few days until the ashes are completely free from embers.

The baffle has burned to pieces. Why?

The baffle is a consumable part that has to be replaced as required. Dovre’s cast iron stoves have a quite long lifetime if the consumable parts are replaced when they are worn down. This might happen if too much primary air is supplied through the riddling grate. If too much primary air is supplied through the riddling grate, the temperature in the fire chamber will be quite high – much like a forge. Another reason might be a layer of ashes and soot on the baffle. This insulates the heat which then might burn through the baffle. Soot and ashes on the baffle must be removed 1-2 a year. Use a steel nozzle, or vacuum cleaner.

Can stove dressing be used on Dovre stoves?

Stove dressing cannot be used on Dovre stoves. Besides, the surface of painted stoves will be unsightly and flaky if stove dressing is used. Stove dressing can be used on old stoves that are sandblasted or grinded down. Painted stoves must be painted with a Dovre spray paint and enamelled stoves must be cleaned with distilled water and soft soap.

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