ᐅ New Cheminee Frei Oeko Plus 75 x 57 F+ is producing smoke

Created on: 31 Mar 2010 08:23
-
-
Instead of the 30-year-old open fireplace, we had a new Cheminée Frei Oeko plus 75 x 57 F+L installed. When operating with the door open, an unpleasant smoke smell soon spreads, which after no more than half an hour requires closing the door and intensive ventilation. The fireplace installer says we just have to live with it and use it with the door closed, or have a new chimney cap installed to improve draft. Some additional information:
  • The old fireplace had very good draft and never caused smoke odors
  • The draft in the new system is also very good
  • The manufacturer explicitly allows operation with the door open in the user manual and even sells accessories for grilling...
  • An external air supply is installed
  • Smoke emission is constant and independent of weather conditions
The smoke appears clearly ONLY when the door is open and ONLY from the gap between the door and the outer wall of the insert. It seems that inside the firebox, “swirling” currents develop that cause the smoke to move along the inside of the open glass door, then creep along the door, descend on the outside, and enter the living space. We therefore fear that the proposed draft improvement is not the cause of the smoke leakage.

Does anyone have any advice? Is this not a design flaw of the insert? Do we really have to live with it?

Thank you very much for your help.
F
Fellini-1
20 Feb 2011 13:40
Hello Hertwek.
We have already consulted the chimney sweep as well.
The chimney draft is really very good; I believe there are turbulences inside the firebox at the top, which could explain why smoke gases are escaping despite the strong draft.
D
Dämmunsinn-1
20 Feb 2011 16:51
Hello Tsäme!
It is also possible that the ventilation pulls more air than the chimney, causing the air to be drawn down through the chimney. Try turning off the ventilation and see what happens.

Best regards from Dämmunsinn