Smokey starts???

I have similar problem at times. My house is pretty tight. I’m in the habit of putting a flame up to stove door when I open it. The flame either gets sucked into the stove if I have draft or flame blows away from stove if I have down draft. Cracking my outside door which is right by my stove always solves my problem. When not running my stove I keep pipe damper closed, I think it helps to stop the down draft from starting.

 

The wall in back looks kinda close. I had the non cat model Hearthstone at one point and my wall in back got way to hot for my liking. Maybe you have a heat shield that isn't visible in the picture. If not, get the stove cranking and feel the wall.

 

Yeah I'm using a propane torch also to start my fires. Are you using one of the 20 lb to 1 lb adaptors to refill the little green cans? I just ordered one online.

 

yes I do refill them at home with a mr heater brand adapter. Cost is like 40 cents a fill! I get very particular and weigh in the 16 ounce charge. I think it’s a good skill to have.

 

It drove me a little nuts trying to remember the actual cost to refill. I weigh in one lb of propane to refill the green 1# LPG cylinders. I paid 1.99 per gallon to refill the 20# tanks, current price is 2.99. I don't BBQ qith them, I have them for generator fuel, emergency RV tank fuel, and refilling the green cylinders.

Propane weighs 4.24# per gallon. So at today's 2.99 price it costs 71 cents per lb or per refill of the green cylinder. The cylinder lasts a long time, only need to replace once or twice per burn season. Pretty cheap firestarter system and I'd say superior to most anything else since it is fast, good, and cheap. The big three!

 

I the same problem but only when the chimney is completely cold. Here are some ideas.

• Wadded up newspaper (works eventually but results in lots of smoke in the room)
• Propane torch (I probably didn't leave it going long enough)

Here are 2 untried ideas

• Put a small heater in the firebox and let it run for 20 minutes to heat up the flu
• If you have an external chimney like mine take the bottom cap off and run a leaf blower up it.

Let me know what you all think of these ideas?

 

Heater with a plate to stop the ash coming out works everytime...5.min...if you have and abuer flue probe you will see how cold air drops in your chimney...

Or some stoves require door closed when lighting.

Cold chimney syndrome

 

I do that. I have a flue clean-out in the basement. I slip the cap off and slide my propane torch in the snout with the flame pointing up the flue.
Works perfect.
The OP may be able to put the torch in the stove pointing into the flue outlet.

 

I'm sure it depends on temps and how cold then flue is, but how long do you usually have to use the torch to warm it up? If I decide to use the torch method, I too will have to do it from inside the stove.

 

I didn't know you could refill the green cans

 

Just a couple minutes in the flue.
In the stove top might take another minute.

 

.
Officially, legally, the mfg cant say they are refillable. The adapters work though, and it only takes a few cylinders to recoup the adapter cost. Just make sure the bottle valve seals.

 

NorthWoodsBG, Highbeam, TurboDiesel .....can someone post a pic/info of the propane torch you're using to warm the flue/start fires please? I've had one of those that use the blue bottles that was partially plastic, and melted part of it starting a campfire last year (left it propped to start the fire too long while I moved something... obviously all my fault). If I get another it will be the totally metal head, unless yall suggest something different. Not sure if you can refill the blue bottles, or just the green? Are the torches threaded for specific cylinders (size, style, if color denotes anything...)?

 

Hit the trigger and press the lock down.
(Don't turn upside down with propane)

 

Yes, threaded. I think all the one pound cylinders take the same thread

 

The torch pictured is the ts 4000 ( i believe) which is the best one I've ever had, no adjustable flame which makes it very easy and predictable to run.
A heat gun is much hotter then a hair dryer and might be another option.

 

Blue tanks are propane.
Yellow tanks are Map Gas. (Hotter more expensive)

 

So these torch heads will work on the green bottles, like in the outdoor/camping section at walmart? I've never checked those type of bottles to know what kind of threads they have. Are the long blue bottles refillable?

 

Pretty sure they work on the green bottles, cant answer your other question.

 

Yes, they thread onto green bottles. That's what I use. I have the adjustable flame ones and I regularly adjust the flame for fun I guess. Sometimes you want a slower start and high flame is pretty loud. It's also a little harder to start at high flame.

My torch was from home depot and came with a yellow mapp gas bottle. When it ran dry I replaced that bottle with one of many 1# green LPG bottles and I'm a happy camper.