Wood stove has poor draft (won't draw properly)

Symptoms

• Fire struggles to get going or stays smoky
• Smoke drifts back into the room instead of up the flue
• Fire seems to need constant tending to stay lit

Likely causes

• CommonCold chimney not yet drawing (common at first lighting)A cold flue has downward air pressure until it warms up enough to reverse the draft.
• CommonChimney or flue partially blocked by creosote or debrisBuildup narrows the passage and weakens draft over a heating season.
• PossibleChimney too short or capped incorrectlyA flue that doesn't extend high enough above the roofline can struggle to draw well in certain wind conditions.
• PossibleNot enough combustion air entering the roomA tightly sealed house can starve the stove of the air it needs to draw properly.
• CommonWet or unseasoned firewoodDamp wood burns cooler and produces more smoke, which can look like a draft problem.

What to do

1. Use only well-seasoned, dry firewood; wet wood alone can cause smoky, weak fires that look like draft issues.
2. Preheat the flue before lighting by holding a rolled, lit piece of newspaper up near the flue damper for a minute.
3. Crack a nearby window slightly to see if more make-up air improves the draft, especially in a tightly sealed home.
4. Check the damper is fully open while starting and building the fire.
5. Look up at the chimney cap from outside (safely, or via binoculars) for obvious blockage like a bird's nest.
6. Schedule a chimney sweep if it's been more than a year, or if draft has been getting worse over the season.

Tools and parts

• Rolled newspaper or fire starter
• Flashlight

When to call a pro

Call a certified chimney sweep if creosote buildup, a blockage, or chimney height is suspected as the cause.

Safety