Expert: Bart Ogden - 11/14/2004

Question
We've had a vent-free corner fireplace in our living room for 5 or six years. On occasion, it has become fumey or stinky. In the past, vacuuming "seems" to have improved or eliminated the problem. This year, I can't seem to get rid of the smell. It is a Comfort Glow brand. The pilot has barely a trace of odor; the stench only occurs when the heating flame is on. The heating flame height is generally 1" of blue topped with 1 to 1 1/2" yellow; there are no dead or weak flame spots along the length of the slotted tube (don't know what its called). All dust-related possibilities have been checked; the vent holes at the base of the pilot burner are clear - I removed, cleaned and vaccuumed as much as I was able. We also use propane for the water heater, dryer and stove, as well as another "vented" fireplace: no smells from them. The Comfort Glow company itself is not responding to me. This is definitely the smell of a combustion-related issue, not of something that died. Any ideas (preferably cheap ones)?


Answer
Patrick,

If a thorough cleaning of the unit has not solved the problem and if the problem only occurs when the main burner is on, what's likely occurring is not a problem with the unit, but rather a problem with the house.

Room-vented appliances use room air to burn, therefore any airborne contaminants that are present within the room air will typically cycle through the unit, be burned, then emitted back into the room.

If you have changed ANYTHING in that house that is now offgassing (carpet, paint, wallpaper, room deodorizer(s), perfumes, after shaves, hairspray, .... that's likely where your problem is - with the source.  

I would start there.  from there it's simply a process of elimination until the source of the odor is found.

The only other option is the fuel source.  You mentioned propane.  If the burner orifices are partially clogged, they could also be causing part of the problem.  If the flame looks like it always has, that's probably not the problem, though.

Good luck in your quest!

Thanks for using AllExperts.com.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
www.homesafeks.com