Expert: James Ball - 12/25/2009

Question
We have Marco 792781 metal fireplace insert = The ID Plate says it must have a 3" minimum flue pipe - ours is at least 8"  We recently had a sweep clean %26 inspect the unit. We have it lit tonight %26 the smoke is intense inside the house. The ID Plate is stained heavily with smoke residue - I can clearly see smoke rising up the flue - it's as though the front of the chamber is too shallow - a steady stream of smoke spills past into the room - no metal doors, only a steel mesh curtain. Any ideas? Thanks

Answer
Hello Bruce, not sure what you have but it sounds as if you installed an insert in a Pre Fab fireplace if so it must be rated for use with each other (insert must be rated for an insert and the insert rated for a Pre Fab) you could  be making a very bad fire hazard. I have also never heard of a 3" flue for solid fuel (even a pellet stove is 4")
from what you describe I am not sure I would use it until this installation was checked by 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 they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James