maude Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Hi folks.We have a 12 year old Godin insert.Gives good heat on good woood but mais oui does it give out some filth.Even with the flue damper fully open,the door openned very gently,when we load up the fire-there is always a puther out of smoke and very fine ash.Every morning we have to wipe round the mantle,vacuum lampshades etc.It does not seem to be a very healthy way of keeping the house warm.Anyone any ideas or is this the norm.Do free standing wood burners give out the same filth? Any ideas more than welcome. Maude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 We have 2 Godins, a poêle in the sitting-room and a bois-charbon oven in the kitchen. And yes, there is a fine ash over most of the things in the sitting-room (including a much-prized piano) and I go around with a static duster a couple of times a week.I am probably a rubbishy housewife and I decided that if that is the way things are in France, then I am not going to worry unduly about it. Since that decision, I find I am quite relaxed about the dust and I don't even go round in a frenzy of tidying up and cleaning just because I am expecting visitors (God, why did I always feel I would be judged on the state of cleanliness or otherwise of my house?)I asked about the possible harmful effects of what seems to be like passive smoking here on the forum when I first came and I just got laughed at and more or less told I should be fine as long as I wasn't "smoking" the chimney! I am asthmatic and I must say that I haven't really noticed any difference in my condition.Sorry, Maude, can only speak as I find (as my dear old Welsh neighbour used to say to me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 I've often wondered whether the fine dust is a good idea. I have a Godin wood burning stove that is not sealed and a Supra wood burning 'insert' that is sealed. I swear by the insert as it doesn't puff out as much smoke etc. I'm cross that I got talked into the Godin, which I was told was a good 'marque'.I would love to know from a lung specialist whether wood burning stoves are bad for your health. I have caught pneumonia since living here! But I adore the type of heat that wood burning stoves emit - so cosy and so hot and yet so economic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarksinfrance Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 A well fitted and operated wood burner should leave very little ash in it. It certainly shouldn't be belching smoke/ash into the room when you open the door, try opening it a bit slower, so that air pressure isn't reduced out side the fire. We only need to clean the ash from our woodburner (a cheapy insert which we use as a stand-a-lone) about once a month or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Once a month! What on earth is happening? Our Godin wasn't cheap and the installation was even dearer! Mind you, we were such novices that I don't think we bought very good wood though it was supposed to be oak and "prêt a bruler".No, it doesn't belch out smoke but the place is dusty. You mean, that's just me being a so-so houseperson and just finding too many interesting things to do instead of doing the daily cleaning?[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Chase Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Hi there,I`m not much of an expert but I do have an insert fitted with stainless double wall super-insulated flue etc. and fitted it myself - lots of regs and details involved so a little knowledge was gained.If you are getting stuff blowing out of the stove when opened you have either to narrow a flue, to many angles or a blockage. For the best evacuation straight up, no bends and a big diameter is perfect. Once the flue is hot (should be within 2 minutes) the gasses are drawn up the hot chimney - even with the door open.I fear the solution is one of several options - firstly get it checked for blockages (90 degree bends are prone to this), secondly get the installation of the flue checked, thirdly - use the insert rather than the Godin where possible, lastly, only use seasoned hardwood - pine will gunk up just about any stove unless you want to clean the chimney every week!Alas, often the only solution is an expensive one when it comes to flues.Good luck, Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluestick Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 If I open the door of my woodburner, it massively increases the draught: as it should.The incoming air is normally via a regulated orrifice underneath the fire basket.No smoke should come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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