Expert: James Ball - 11/5/2008

Question
We have had a multifuel fire in our house for the last 3 years, sometimes it lights like a dream and we have no problem. However of late whenever we light it the fires has an increased build up of smoke in the stove, and it starts to stream intothe living room. We open doors and windows to see if this subsides, but it does not. Once the fire has got hold ( sometimes 10-15 mitutes) it is all okay.

I have been told that a drawing cowl may resolve the problem. If not what else could you suggest

Answer
Hello Neil, I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have.
do you know when the last time this unit was cleaned? it might need a cleaning, or some thing else has changed in the home to affect the draft.
hope this helped
James Ball