Expert: James Ball - 11/13/2008

Question
James,
  I removed a old wood and replaced it with a used fisher wood stove i also replaced some 8" pipe and used a 8" to 6" reducer to connect the fisher stove ...now to the problem...when i burn the stove i get a strong odor that does not smell like wood its so strong that i have to open the windows just to be in the room....what do think ???

Answer
Hello Frank, lets start with is the stove installed correctly? (8" to 6"? you can not down size a smoke pipe on a solid flue appliance) piped to the first flue tile? all the way to the top (my recommendation) then you say it is a "used stove" could an animal have gotten  inside and died and that is what your are smelling? maybe some thing else was stuck into the stove and burning? 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.
keep me posted
James