Wood stove smoking into room cold flue season is here

Cold Flues and First Fires, as the crisp air of autumn settles in and the evenings grow darker, many of us turn to the comforting glow of a wood stove to warm our homes. But if you've ever lit your stove only to find smoke billowing back into the room, you're not alone. The culprit is usually a cold flue.

What is a Cold Flue?

The flue is the chimney or pipe that carries smoke and gases from the stove to the outside. When it's cold especially after a long period of disuse it can act like a plug, preventing the smoke from rising. Instead of drafting upward, the smoke may spill into your living space, setting off alarm.

Why it Happens

Cold air is heavy: When the flue is cold, the air inside it is denser that the warm air trying to push up. This creates a reverse draft.

Negative pressure: Modern homes are often tightly sealed, which can cause air to be pulled down the flue rather than pushed up.

Moisture and creosote: Dampness or residue inside the flue can further restrict airflow.

How to Prevent it:

Preheat the flue:  Roll up Newspaper and put into bed of stove and light it. This warms the air column and starts the upward draft.  When this dies out add more rolled newspaper and kindling.

Start small then build up. Add only small logs at first. Once you see smoke being drawn steadily up the chimney you can add larger pieces.

Crack the stove door or a nearby window: This balances air pressure and helps the draft establish more quickly.

Top-down fire method: Stack larger logs at the bottom, kindling in the middle, and firelights or newspaper on top. This burns hotter, faster and with less smoke.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using damp wood: Wet or unseasoned logs burn cooler and make it harder to warm the flue. Always used seasoned wood dried for a least 6-12 months with 20% or below moisture content.

Leaving the stove door wide open: This can cause smoke to spill into the room. Instead, leave it slightly ajar until the fire is established.

Ignoring negative pressure: In tightly sealed homes, extractor fans or dryers can pull air down the chimney. Cracking open a window helps balances this.

Note: If you consistently having issues with draft, it might be worth having your chimney inspected as there may be a blockage or air leak.