Refuelling your wood‑burning stove: best practices and troubleshooting smoke escape
This article explains how to refuel your wood‑burning stove safely and efficiently, along with common reasons smoke may escape into the room when you open the door. Always refer to your specific stove’s user manual as the primary source of truth. The guidance below is general best practice for modern, Eco Design–ready stoves.
1. Before you refuel
1.1 Use the right fuel
Using correct fuel is essential for clean, efficient burning and to reduce smoke.
- Use only dry, seasoned wood
- Moisture content ideally **below 20%**
- Logs should be split and seasoned (air‑dried) for **at least 1–2 years** in a well‑ventilated, covered store
- Avoid:
- Wet or “green” wood
- Painted, treated or engineered wood (MDF, plywood, chipboard)
- Household waste (including cardboard, plastics, packaging)
- Coal or smokeless fuels unless your stove is specifically approved for multi‑fuel use
Using wet or unsuitable fuel produces more smoke, tar and soot, increasing the risk of smoke escape, poor glass visibility, and chimney deposits.
1.2 Check the firebed
Before adding more logs:
- You should see **a good bed of hot embers** with some flame, not just blackened logs
- If there are **too many ashes**, rake them gently so air can pass through the grate
- Leave a shallow layer of ash (unless your manual says otherwise) – this helps **insulate the firebed** and improve relighting between refuels
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2. Step‑by‑step: how to refuel your stove
Follow these steps each time you refuel to minimise smoke and maximise efficiency.
Step 1 – Prepare the air controls
1. Open the primary and/or secondary air controls slightly (according to your manual) around 1–2 minutes before opening the door.
- This increases the draft and helps draw smoke up the chimney.
2. Ensure the room is ventilated – do not block air vents or trickle vents in windows.
Step 2 – Open the stove door correctly
1. Pause before opening fully:
- First, unlock and open the door a few millimetres and hold it there for a few seconds.
- This allows the pressure inside the stove to equalise with the room and lets smoke be pulled upwards rather than outwards.
2. Then slowly open the door:
- Avoid pulling the door wide open in one movement.
- If you see smoke rolling out, close the door slightly, wait a moment, and reopen gradually.
Step 3 – Place the new logs
1. Use heat‑resistant gloves and a suitable tool if needed.
2. Add 1–2 medium‑sized logs at a time, rather than overfilling the firebox.
3. Place logs so that:
- They sit on the ember bed, not pressed hard against the glass or baffle plate
- There is space around the logs for air to circulate
4. Avoid overloading – your manual will specify the recommended maximum load. Overfilling can cause excess smoke and poor combustion.
Step 4 – Close and reset the air controls
1. Close the door firmly so the door seal (rope gasket) is fully compressed all the way around.
2. Keep the air controls slightly more open for a few minutes after refuelling:
- This helps the new logs ignite cleanly and reduces smoke.
3. Once the new fuel is burning well with bright flames, adjust the controls to your normal operating position for efficient, clean burn.
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3. Best practices for clean, efficient refuelling
3.1 Refuel “little and often”
- Add smaller amounts of wood at regular intervals rather than allowing the fire to almost go out.
- A stable ember bed makes each refuel cleaner and easier.
- This reduces:
- Smoke
- Tar build‑up in the flue
- Stress on the stove’s components caused by large temperature swings
3.2 Maintain good airflow
- Do not block the air inlets inside the stove with logs.
- Ensure room vents or dedicated air inlets are not covered or closed.
- Avoid using a powerful extractor fan (kitchen, bathroom) in the same or adjacent room while refuelling, as this can pull smoke back into the room.
3.3 Keep the glass and stove clean
- Follow your manual for recommended glass cleaning frequency.
- Excess tar and soot on the glass can indicate:
- Wet fuel
- Insufficient air
- Under‑firing the stove (running on very low settings for extended periods)
- A clean stove and flue operate more efficiently and are less prone to smoke escape.
3.4 Observe correct burn rate
- Avoid running the stove permanently “slumbered” with very low air for long periods:
- This encourages smoky, inefficient burns and soot build‑up.
- Instead, after refuelling:
- Allow the fire to burn briskly until the new logs are well lit and gases are burnt off, then reduce to a comfortable level.
4. Why smoke may escape when refuelling
Even when operated correctly, you may sometimes notice smoke entering the room when you open the door. Below are the most common causes and how to address them.
4.1 Insufficient chimney or flue draft
Cause:
The chimney or flue is not drawing strongly enough, so smoke is not carried away effectively and can escape when the door is opened.
Possible reasons:
- Cold or un‑warmed flue, particularly at the start of a burn or after a long pause
- Very short chimney or flue, or one with many bends
- External weather conditions (low pressure, high winds causing downdraught)
- Obstructions such as soot build‑up, bird nests, or partial blockages
What you can do:
- Allow the stove to burn with **higher air settings** for a short period to warm the flue before refuelling.
- Check that chimney and flue are swept regularly by a competent professional, in line with usage (often at least once per year, more if used heavily).
- If you frequently experience poor draft, consult a qualified installer or chimney specialist; they may recommend:
- Extending the flue
- Adding a suitable cowl or anti‑downdraught terminal
- Checking for compliance with installation standards
4.2 Opening the door too quickly
Cause:
Sudden pressure changes inside the stove push smoke into the room.
What you can do:
- Always open the air controls slightly before opening the door.
- Open the door in stages:
- First crack it open slightly and pause.
- Then slowly open further while watching for smoke movement.
- Avoid standing directly in front of the door; instead, stand slightly to the side as you open it.
4.3 Negative pressure in the room
Cause:
The room is under negative pressure, meaning air is being drawn out of the room faster than it can enter. This can reverse the flow in the chimney when the door is opened.
Common causes:
- Strong extractor fans (kitchen, bathroom, mechanical ventilation systems)
- Very airtight buildings with insufficient fresh‑air supply
- Multiple appliances using the same air supply
What you can do:
- Switch extractor fans off while lighting and refuelling the stove if possible.
- Ensure there is an adequate permanent air vent to the room, sized according to your stove’s output and regulations.
- In very airtight properties, your installation may require a dedicated external air supply to the stove. Discuss this with your installer.
4.4 Overfilled firebox
Cause:
Too many logs or fuel piled too high can block the path of hot gases and smoke toward the flue outlet, causing turbulence and spill‑over when the door is opened.
What you can do:
- Follow the manufacturer’s maximum load guidance.
- Do not stack logs so high that they touch or are very close to:
- The baffle/throat plate at the top of the firebox
- The glass or door
- Add fewer, correctly sized logs and allow them to burn down before adding more.
4.5 Wet or poor‑quality fuel
Cause:
Damp, unseasoned or inappropriate fuel releases more moisture and unburned gases, leading to heavier, cooler smoke that is harder for the chimney to lift.
Signs:
- Hissing from logs while burning
- Excessive smoke from the chimney outside
- Rapid tar and soot build‑up on glass and in the flue
What you can do:
- Switch to **properly seasoned or kiln‑dried wood**, ideally with a moisture content below 20%.
- Store wood in a dry, well‑ventilated log store, off the ground and protected from direct rain but open to airflow.
- Consider using a moisture meter to check log dryness.
4.6 Blocked or restricted flue
Cause:
Deposits, soot, or foreign objects in the flue can restrict the passage of smoke.
Possible indicators:
- Smoke backing up during normal operation, not just refuelling
- Reduced heat output compared to usual
- Strong smell of smoke or tar around the appliance
What you can do:
- Arrange regular chimney sweeping by an approved professional.
- Stop using the stove and seek professional advice immediately if you suspect a severe blockage.
4.7 Damaged or ineffective seals
Cause:
Worn or damaged door rope seals, glass seals or other gaskets can compromise the stove’s ability to control airflow and pressure.
What you can do:
- Check door seals visually and with a sheet of paper:
- Close the door on a strip of paper and gently tug; you should feel clear resistance all the way around.
- If seals are worn, flattened, frayed or leaking:
- Arrange for replacement by a competent technician or follow the manufacturer’s guidance if owner replacement is allowed.
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5. Safety considerations when refuelling
- Use appropriate protection: heat‑resistant gloves and tools when handling the door or refuelling.
- Keep combustibles away: do not store logs, kindling, or other flammables too close to the stove.
- Install and maintain alarms:
- Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are essential in any property using solid‑fuel appliances.
- Supervision:
- Never leave the stove door open unattended.
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance using fireguards where appropriate.
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6. When to seek professional help
Contact a qualified installer, chimney sweep or service engineer if:
- You experience regular smoke escape despite following the best practices above
- There is a noticeable change in performance, heat output, or burn behaviour
- You suspect a chimney blockage or damaged internal components
- Door seals or glass appear damaged, loose, or heavily sooted despite using dry fuel
Regular professional servicing not only improves safety and efficiency but can also extend the life of your stove and flue system.