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Troubleshooting Guide
Start Fire Problems Possible Cause Solution
Can’t get fi re started
Excessive smoke or spillage
Burns too slowly
Smolders, sizzles
Not enough kindling/paper or no
kindling/paper
Use dry kindling, more paper. Arrange kindling &
wood for air movement.
Damper closed/not fully open Open damper.
Not enough air for fi re to ignite Check for restricted cap/shroud.
Open air kit (if installed).
Check for fl ue blockage.
Pre-warm fl ue before starting fi re (refer to starting
fi re section).
Check for adequate vent height (refer to chimney
assembly section).
Open window below the fi replace towards the
wind.
Wood condition is too wet, too
large
Use dry, seasoned wood (refer to wood fuel
section).
Bed of coals not established
before adding wood
Start with paper & kindling to establish bed of
coals (refer to starting fi re section).
Flue blockage such as birds’
nests or leaves in termination
cap
Have chimney inspected for creosote and cleaned
by a certifi ed chimney sweep.
Down draft or negative pressure
Competition with exhaust
devices
Do not use exhaust fans during start-up (refer to
negative pressure section).
Open window below the fi replace towards the
wind.
Fire burns too fast Extremely dry or soft wood Mix in hardwood.
Mix in less seasoned wood after fi re is established
(refer to wood fuel section).
No glass doors Add glass doors to slow down air fl ow.
Overdrafting Check for correct vent height; too much vertical
height creates overdrafting.
Check location of vent termination (refer to
chimney assembly section).
Heatilator • A36C & A42C • 28396 • Rev AG • 11/08