Wood Stove Down Draft Prevention!

Comments · 309

• HE

  @healtheearthhomestead · 1 year ago

  This method worked in a 40 mph wind. The down draft kept filling my house with smoke. I found your video, and now we are warm and breathing clean air again. Thank you!

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• OM

  @omarmarquez2953 · 1 day ago

  Sometimes we run into problems forcing us to really investigate. As a result we learn. Thanks a lot for your story and the helpful information. This video may help many people, even those with conventional furnace because backdrafts occur in those as well. You figured out and solved it. Blessings to you and your family !

• TO

  @tomf429 · 8 months ago

  I open a window when I start a fire. I close it when the chimney heats up. Works for me.

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• AN

  @andrewb9105 · 2 years ago

  Excellent presentation and thank you for your advice. I have the same issue with the down draft in the basement. I will start my wood burning stove tomorrow morning and will follow your instruction.  I will buy a hand torch too - I liked this idea. Thank you for your time.

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• TH

  @themonkay5 · 8 months ago

  Thank you so much! I’ve always lived with wood stoves, however now I live in a very cold place and I didn’t know about the down draft! My house just got smoked on the coldest day of the year! Total freak out! Watched your video and now I completely understand what to do to prevent this in the future!!! You explained this so perfectly!!!

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• JO

  @johnbriscoe5932 · 8 months ago (edited)

  Solving these problems can be challenging but it was always my favorite situation to diagnose and correct. I retired after 38 years in the chimney and stove industry and kinda miss the detective work it comprises.

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• RH

  @RhinoMM2025 · 8 months ago

  Excellent teaching video!  Thank you from newbies that had this very issue just this morning…….now we feel much better attempting another fire tomorrow!

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• MR

  @mrpny521 · 9 months ago

  Thanks for taking the time to make this very valuable video. I learned a lot of what you are talking about here the hard way. I bought my current home 6 years ago, and our finished walkout basement had a very nicely installed Jotul wood stove. I had numerous problems relating to draft and even had 2 occasions where my carbon monoxide alarms went off. I have a lot of experience using a wood stove, and was a Consolidated Dutchwest dealer back in the mid 1980s. This Jotul stove had me baffled! After a lot of research, a call to Jotul customer service, and a consultation with a chimney expert, I can now operate my wood stove with full confidence, but it wasn’t easy, and it cost a few bucks, but it was well worth it. I installed a flue preheating device, and added another 4 ft. of chimney. I now follow a checklist of procedures when starting a fire. A game changer for me was learning to CLOSE ALL DOORS SEPARATING MY BASEMENT FROM THE UPSTAIRS! This will help cut down that negative draft at the stove location. I now always have a window cracked open near the stove to maintain an air supply which is essential, especially in air tight homes. The flue preheating device is basically a 6 inch section of stove pipe with a 500 watt heating element inside. I turn it on about half an hour before lighting my fire and I have zero smoke in the room. It has a thermostat which controls it so if you have a very slow burning fire, particularly on a very cold night, the heating element will go on and you won’t lose draft. Most importantly, there is no such thing as being too careful when heating with wood, so take the time to understand your unique installation and consult with an expert if you need to. They most likely have dealt with your particular situation.<br><br>2.. Crack a window to make sure there is an air supply near the stove.<br>2. Close any doors between the basement area and the upstairs to minimize negative draft.<br>3.

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• LO

  @louisel.sinniger2057 · 8 months ago

  I had this issue back in the late 70’s. I called it “back puffing” because when I saw the smoke coming back into the house it was like a “puff”. Our house was built in the late 60’s or early 70’s. This used to set off our smoke alarms! So annoying. Our stove too was in the &nbsp;lower part of our house and the chimney was pretty much the same. Yes, I too agree it also occurs from atmospheric pressures. Our situation only happened in the spring and the fall. &nbsp;I heard so many explanations until I discovered all this one my own. Good points!

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• RI

  @RichardDorsey-ei1bv · 8 months ago (edited)

  Im an HVAC professional. But have never had a wood stove... this video answered every question and problem im having. I had an idea that it was an air pressure problem but want to know for sure... thank you!

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• AN

  @AntiZionist · 2 weeks ago

  Also, use PVC to make a &quot;combustion air&quot; intake from outside. Run 3&quot; through the wall to a &quot;p-trap&quot; inside like what you have under your sink. That stops wind from coming in but allows your stove to burn outside air without having an open window.

• CH

  @chrisadanilo · 2 years ago

  FINALLY. SOMEONE WITH A BRAIN. There are so many bad fire starting videos for wood stove beginners. This is the first time I&apos;ve found any information about the downdraft and how to beat it. Thank you for making this video informative and with great humility!! Really appreciate you!!

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