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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.
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).
Heat & Glo • RUTHERFORD-50 • 4059-333 Rev C • 06/08