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TROUBLESHOOTING
Woodstock Soapstone Company’s Customer Service Representatives are available by phone Monday through Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Eastern. You can reach us by calling toll-free 1-800-866-4344 or e-mailing [email protected].
This troubleshooting guide is intended to help you understand more about the operation of your stove and to be a help-
ful, accessible resource for you.
The Quick Draft Test
Many stove performance problems are caused by poor draft. One of the first things to do
when diagnosing operational problems is to be sure that you have adequate draft. If you
perform the simple draft test that follows, it will often tell you where to look for a solution to
your operational problems. (If the draft is not good, you would look for problems (1) with
basic chimney specifications, (2) with obstructions inside the chimney, (3) with a tight seal
between the stovepipe and the chimney - especially in fireplace installations, (4) with wind, (5)
with negative house pressure, and so on. If the draft is good, you would generally look for
problems within the stove or with the operation of the stove - (1) a plugged combustor, (2)
plugged air passages, (3) wet or unseasoned wood, for example.) Here’s the test:
1. Perform The Match Test: Light a match in front of the flue outlet inside your stove. If the
flame is drawn toward the outlet and chimney, then you have adequate draft to light your
stove. If the flame doesn’t move or is leaning toward you, you do not have enough draft and need to correct this
situation before starting a fire.
2. How To Improve Draft Before Re-Testing: Open a door or window in the room where the stove is installed. Wait a
minute or two, then light a match again in front of the flue outlet. The flame should be pulled into the flue opening. If
this doesn’t work, light a small piece of rolled up newspaper and hold it in front of the flue outlet. This should warm the
chimney enough to establish proper draft. If this does not work, you have a draft problem. DO NOT light the stove,
because you will simply get smoke back into the room. Read carefully the grid below, and try to determine the source of
the draft problem. Feel free to call us for help at 800-866-4344. Our toll free customer service help line is open from 9 to
5, (E.T.) Monday through Saturday.
Stove Smokes At Start Up Bypass door or air damper is closed. Check that air control and bypass
damper are both open (both
handles all the way down).
Chimney is blocked.
Warm the flue with burning newspaper or a
hair dryer and re-check draft with match.
Flue is cold.
Negative pressure in room. Turn off exhaust fans, open
window in the room, then do the
match test.
Flue is too large.
Prime the chimney by burning
newspaper in the flue.
Stove Puffs Smoke When
Combustor Is Engaged
Combustor is plugged. Let the stove cool down and clean
the combustor.
Not enough air for the fire. Increase the amount of air coming into
the stove by opening air damper.
Troubleshooting Grid:
Use this grid to help identify the cause and solution for common woostove problems.
Problem Cause Solution
Clear chimney and cap of
obstructions.
Install a liner that mathces the stove’s flue
outlet. A 6” liner is recommended for the
Fireview.
Small difference between outdoor
and indoor temperatures.
Always perform the “Match
Test” before lighting your stove.
If you light a match and hold it
in front of the flue exit, the flame
will be pulled into the flue collar
if there is enough draft to light
the stove.
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