We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even get warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly), NEVER
garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony

I use a high temperature chimney sealant every year because I have to take
my chimney apart from downstairs to clean the chimney (top too high to
reach).

Anyway each year when I burn my first few fires, this stuff burns off and
gives a nasty smell. Also smokes a bit. But after this it no longer smells.

I would suggest opening all your doors and windows, then letting the fire
burn at a higher temperature a few times. Then I bet the smell will go away.

(My stove also had a bad smell when new with the first few very hot fires.
Perhaps the paint?)


"HerHusband" wrote in message
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper
down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even get
warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly), NEVER
garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony

I use a high temperature chimney sealant every year because I have to
take my chimney apart from downstairs to clean the chimney (top too
high to reach).

I use a high temp silicone on my chimney pipe (recommended by the woodstove
company), but it's only above the roof line and not in our living space.
Also, it has been there since I installed the stove, and the smell only
started last year.

I previously took the lower part of my chimney apart after cleaning so I
could clean out the top of the woodstove. This usually meant it got a few
scratches and had to be repainted. Thinking the paint might be the cause of
the smell, I cleaned the stove out from the inside this year so I wouldn't
have to paint. But the smell is still there.

I would suggest opening all your doors and windows, then letting the
fire burn at a higher temperature a few times. Then I bet the smell
will go away.

I'll give it a try, but I've had lots of hot fires and the smell always
seems to return.

Thanks,

Anthony

Yes it is paint. Sure it could be loads of other issues, but the paint is distinct. We had a log burner for years and kept it barely on tick over to avoid the paint smell. We now have a new burner and the smell is so horrendous that I am seriously allergic. At best I am sure it is quite toxic. Some people cannot smell it at all. Last night I thought I was heading to A+E. I really need to know what the toxins are so I can get allergy (LDI) treatment for it. No one seems to be acknowledging the toxicity factor...yet.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...ll-258778-.htm

I have done some more research re toxic fumes from paint on log burners (and anywhere else for that matter). Air purifiers with activated charcoal filters will take out the toxins from the air. The Blueair with smoke filters will take out dozens and dozens of hideous chemicals from the air, including gases from plastics and much more. Most people are not aware how poisonous our atmosphere is from "cleaning" materials, dyes, carpets, fire proofing... which all can also cause allergies and asthma. But these really good air purifiers will clean most of it out.
Of course it is best to check out the safety of the chimney and fireplace first, but believe me- paint fumes are distinguishable from smoke. I am surprised some health and safety executives haven't gotten on to this yet.
After only a few minutes of burning the fire I have been airing our living room for 3 days now while it is windy outside, and still the smell lingers and my skin starts to sting...it seems to stick to everything.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...ll-258778-.htm

Anthony,

If you have attic space I'd go up there and look around. Something may
be too close to your chimney or stove pipe. Are you sure about the trash?
There's a lot of plactic in junk mail.

Dave M.

Dave,

If you have attic space I'd go up there and look around.
Something may be too close to your chimney or stove pipe.

Nope, no attic. We have vaulted ceilings. I boxed in the chimney pipe where
it passes through the 2x12 rafter bays (with about 3" of air space between
the pipe and wood). It's capped by flashing on top and a trim ring on the
bottom. Nothing can get in there.

In addition, the smell is noticeable long before the chimney pipe is even
warm to the touch.

Are you sure about the trash?
There's a lot of plastic in junk mail.

Nope, I never burn paper, junk mail, or any other kind of trash. Only dry
wood (Logs, woodworking cutoffs, NO pressure treated, NO plywood). I use a
couple of "fatwood" sticks to start the fires.

Anthony

"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
Dave,

If you have attic space I'd go up there and look around.
Something may be too close to your chimney or stove pipe.

Nope, no attic. We have vaulted ceilings. I boxed in the chimney pipe
where
it passes through the 2x12 rafter bays (with about 3" of air space between
the pipe and wood). It's capped by flashing on top and a trim ring on the
bottom. Nothing can get in there.

In addition, the smell is noticeable long before the chimney pipe is even
warm to the touch.

Are you sure about the trash?
There's a lot of plastic in junk mail.

Nope, I never burn paper, junk mail, or any other kind of trash. Only dry
wood (Logs, woodworking cutoffs, NO pressure treated, NO plywood). I use a
couple of "fatwood" sticks to start the fires.

Anthony

When you called the manufacturer about this problem, what did they say?

Could it be creasote burning off ,

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...ll-258778-.htm

Set a blueberry-sized piece of Limburger cheese on a hot part of the stove. It will hide all the odors in the room.

Yan75 wrote

Could it be creasote burning off ,

Unlikely he still cares after 13 years.

--
For full context, visit
https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...ll-258778-.htm

On Sun, 2 May 2021 07:04:59 +1000, cantankerous trolling geezer Rodent
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:

Unlikely he still cares after 13 years.

But very likely that YOU trolling senile asshole will comment on EVERY
SINGLE such post!

--
Richard addressing senile Rodent Speed:
"**** you're thick/pathetic excuse for a troll."
MID:

HerHusband wrote:

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air
from an external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?


The stove's made of plastic?

The stove's made of plastic?

The new Fisher Price woodstove?

It's the paint. It will always do that when you get 'em extra hot.


steve


"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper
down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even get
warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly), NEVER
garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony

Steve,

It's the paint. It will always do that when you get 'em extra hot.

That's what I thought, but it seems to smell long before the woodstove or
chimney pipe has gotten hot enough to cause the paint to release vapors.

Anthony

HerHusband wrote:
Steve,

It's the paint. It will always do that when you get 'em extra hot.

That's what I thought, but it seems to smell long before the woodstove or
chimney pipe has gotten hot enough to cause the paint to release vapors.

Have you used a cleaner of any sort or a touchup paint?

Are the firebricks loose in the bottom/sides or are they cemented in?
Neighbor had one (forget the maker) where it broke down after some time
whereas the Fisher I had just had loose brick mechanically restrained.

Does it come at the beginning of a fire and then lessen? If so, perhaps
it's a moisture accumulation related problem?

--

Have you used a cleaner of any sort or a touchup paint?

The only cleaner I use is a glass cleaner for the inside of the door. "Red
Devil" I think. It works really well for cleaning the glass, and I've been
using it longer than the smell has been occurring. I've never noticed any
smell or residue from the cleaner.

I have used touchup paint on the chimney in previous years where it got
scratched during cleaning. But I tried to avoid that this year by cleaning
the woodstove from the inside instead of from the top.

Are the firebricks loose in the bottom/sides or are they cemented in?

Ours are loose laid, held in place by brackets. I checked them when I
cleaned the woodstove, and they all look in good condition.

Does it come at the beginning of a fire and then lessen? If so,
perhaps it's a moisture accumulation related problem?

It does seem to occur more at the start of the fire, but we have noticed it
later in the evening too.

The only repeatable thing I have been able to determine is when the damper
is fully open and the fire is burning hot. It's not necessarily when the
woodstove is hot, just the fire is burning strong.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Anthony

"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
Have you used a cleaner of any sort or a touchup paint?

The only cleaner I use is a glass cleaner for the inside of the door. "Red
Devil" I think. It works really well for cleaning the glass, and I've been
using it longer than the smell has been occurring. I've never noticed any
smell or residue from the cleaner.

I have used touchup paint on the chimney in previous years where it got
scratched during cleaning. But I tried to avoid that this year by cleaning
the woodstove from the inside instead of from the top.

Are the firebricks loose in the bottom/sides or are they cemented in?

Ours are loose laid, held in place by brackets. I checked them when I
cleaned the woodstove, and they all look in good condition.

Does it come at the beginning of a fire and then lessen? If so,
perhaps it's a moisture accumulation related problem?

It does seem to occur more at the start of the fire, but we have noticed
it
later in the evening too.

The only repeatable thing I have been able to determine is when the damper
is fully open and the fire is burning hot. It's not necessarily when the
woodstove is hot, just the fire is burning strong.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Anthony

When you called the stove manufacturer, what insights did they offer, if
any?

HerHusband wrote:
Have you used a cleaner of any sort or a touchup paint?

The only cleaner I use is a glass cleaner for the inside of the door. "Red
Devil" I think. It works really well for cleaning the glass, and I've been
using it longer than the smell has been occurring. I've never noticed any
smell or residue from the cleaner.

I have used touchup paint on the chimney in previous years where it got
scratched during cleaning. But I tried to avoid that this year by cleaning
the woodstove from the inside instead of from the top.

Are the firebricks loose in the bottom/sides or are they cemented in?

Ours are loose laid, held in place by brackets. I checked them when I
cleaned the woodstove, and they all look in good condition.

Does it come at the beginning of a fire and then lessen? If so,
perhaps it's a moisture accumulation related problem?

It does seem to occur more at the start of the fire, but we have noticed it
later in the evening too.

The only repeatable thing I have been able to determine is when the damper
is fully open and the fire is burning hot. It's not necessarily when the
woodstove is hot, just the fire is burning strong.

What's the wood supply and how is it stored?

--

Don't know then. In your OP, you said:

We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper down
the fire, the smell goes away.


so i thought that it was only when it was extra hot.



steve


"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
Steve,

It's the paint. It will always do that when you get 'em extra hot.

That's what I thought, but it seems to smell long before the woodstove or
chimney pipe has gotten hot enough to cause the paint to release vapors.

Anthony

Steve,

i thought that it was only when it was extra hot.

I notice it most when the "fire" is burning strong and hot. This can occur
when we first start the fire and the stove is still cold, or it can occur
later in the evening if I open the damper and get the fire going strong
again.

Thanks for your thoughts and input.

Anthony

In article ,
HerHusband wrote:

Steve,

i thought that it was only when it was extra hot.

I notice it most when the "fire" is burning strong and hot. This can occur
when we first start the fire and the stove is still cold, or it can occur
later in the evening if I open the damper and get the fire going strong
again.

Thanks for your thoughts and input.

Anthony

I'd be suspicious about that fatwood. I think some of it is fake, soaked
in oil maybe. Try a fire or two made the boy scout way, and see whether
you still get the smell.

"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper
down
the fire, the smell goes away.


May not be your problem but if you have small children could they have
parked a toy in a blower vent on the unit?

Mine did and took a long time for it to burn away. -

On Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:30:25 AM UTC-4, Colbyt wrote:
"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper
down
the fire, the smell goes away.


May not be your problem but if you have small children could they have
parked a toy in a blower vent on the unit?

Mine did and took a long time for it to burn away. -

OMG! I had the same problem and just couldn't figure it out! I read your post and sure enough, there was a damn little car in one of the blower vent tubes! I owe you one! Thanks ColbyT (-:

On 11/26/2013 12:02 PM, wrote:
On Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:30:25 AM UTC-4, Colbyt wrote:
wrote in message
...
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper
down
the fire, the smell goes away.


May not be your problem but if you have small children could they have
parked a toy in a blower vent on the unit?

Mine did and took a long time for it to burn away. -

OMG! I had the same problem and just couldn't figure it out! I read your post and sure enough, there was a damn little car in one of the blower vent tubes! I owe you one! Thanks ColbyT (-:

Colbyt was around in 2007 (date of the post).

Why would you think he is around now?

I haven't seen him for years.

On 11/26/2013 5:41 PM, bud-- wrote:
On 11/26/2013 12:02 PM, wrote:
On Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:30:25 AM UTC-4, Colbyt wrote:
OMG! I had the same problem and just couldn't figure it out! I read
your post and sure enough, there was a damn little car in one of the
blower vent tubes! I owe you one! Thanks ColbyT (-:

Colbyt was around in 2007 (date of the post).

Why would you think he is around now?

I haven't seen him for years.

Nursing home, and doesn't have internet?

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 11/26/2013 1:02 PM, wrote:
On Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:30:25 AM UTC-4, Colbyt wrote:
"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper
down
the fire, the smell goes away.


May not be your problem but if you have small children could they have
parked a toy in a blower vent on the unit?

Mine did and took a long time for it to burn away. -

OMG! I had the same problem and just couldn't figure it out! I read your post and sure enough, there was a damn little car in one of the blower vent tubes! I owe you one! Thanks ColbyT (-:

Why are we reading message from 2007?

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

pacificenergy had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...ll-258778-.htm
:
Hi,

Just wondering if you've solved the mystery of your woodstove smell yet.
I have a very similar problem and have taken the same steps you have. I
have yet to try a fire with the insulation pad removed from my Pacific
Energy stove. This was a suggestion as the pad could have become
contaminated by something, although it looks and smells fine to me. I
have spoken to three different dealers for this stove and none can offer
any suggestions or solutions. Very frustrating. Hope you can help.
Thanks in advance.

Andre Levesque

-------------------------------------
HerHusband wrote:


We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the
woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper
down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but
the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we
use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to
make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even get
warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly), NEVER

garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we
rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air from
an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony





##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.repair - 317606 messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##

Andre,

Just wondering if you've solved the mystery of your woodstove smell
yet. I have a very similar problem and have taken the same steps you
have. I have yet to try a fire with the insulation pad removed from
my Pacific Energy stove. This was a suggestion as the pad could have
become contaminated by something, although it looks and smells fine to
me. I have spoken to three different dealers for this stove and none
can offer any suggestions or solutions. Very frustrating. Hope you
can help. Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, no. We fired up the woodstove last night, for the first
time this season, and noticed the chemical smell again. It was very
faint, but still there.

I just cleaned the chimney and woodstove out last week, including
vacuuming all the ashes and everything out so nothing would be left in
there to create a smell. We don't have any kind of pad in our stove.

Like you said, it's frustrating...

Anthony


Andre Levesque

-------------------------------------
HerHusband wrote:


We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the
woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I
damper down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but
the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we
use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to
make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even
get warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly),
NEVER

garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we
rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or
something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air
from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony





##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.repair - 317606 messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##

On Oct 10, 1:01*pm, HerHusband wrote:
Andre,

Just wondering if you've solved the mystery of your woodstove smell
yet. I have a very similar problem and have taken the same steps you
have. *I have yet to try a fire with the insulation pad removed from
my Pacific Energy stove. *This was a suggestion as the pad could have
become contaminated by something, although it looks and smells fine to
me. *I have spoken to three different dealers for this stove and none
can offer any suggestions or solutions. *Very frustrating. *Hope you
can help. Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, no. *We fired up the woodstove last night, for the first
time this season, and noticed the chemical smell again. It was very
faint, but still there.

I just cleaned the chimney and woodstove out last week, including
vacuuming all the ashes and everything out so nothing would be left in
there to create a smell. We don't have any kind of pad in our stove.

Like you said, it's frustrating...

Anthony





Andre Levesque

-------------------------------------
HerHusband wrote:

We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the
woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I
damper down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but
the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we
use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to
make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even
get warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly),
NEVER

garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we
rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or
something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air
from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony

##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via *http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.repair - 317606 messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

My pacific energy woodstove insert does that each year for the first
few fires. I thought it might have been the crap atop the stove that
makes it's way in each summer (dust etc) but that was not the case. I
am convinced it is the paint. I think that the owner of the home
before me who installed the stove did not follow the directions for
the first fires that would properly bake in the paint job.

HerHusband wrote:
We fired up the woodstove last night, for the first
time this season, and noticed the chemical smell again.

You say you notice it when the *fire* is hot, not when the *stove*
is hot. That suggests the problem is related to creosote buildup
in the chimney.

Una

You say you notice it when the *fire* is hot, not when the *stove*
is hot. That suggests the problem is related to creosote buildup
in the chimney.

Just a poor choice of words...

The smell is most noticeable when the woodstove has heated up and I get a
good fire roaring in it. If I damper it down, the smell dissipates.

I thoroughly clean our chimney every summer with the appropriate wire brush
and rods, and completely remove the previous winters ashes, including
vacuuming any ash that falls down the chimney and builds up on the top of
the firebricks.

It has to be paint related, as it's the same smell we had when we first got
the woodstove. I expect it the first few fires, but eventually I would
think it would cure or burn off...

Anthony

On Oct 11, 3:25*pm, HerHusband wrote:
You say you notice it when the *fire* is hot, not when the *stove*
is hot. *That suggests the problem is related to creosote buildup
in the chimney.

Just a poor choice of words...

The smell is most noticeable when the woodstove has heated up and I get a
good fire roaring in it. If I damper it down, the smell dissipates.

I thoroughly clean our chimney every summer with the appropriate wire brush
and rods, and completely remove the previous winters ashes, including
vacuuming any ash that falls down the chimney and builds up on the top of
the firebricks.

It has to be paint related, as it's the same smell we had when we first got
the woodstove. I expect it the first few fires, but eventually I would
think it would cure or burn off...

Anthony

The procedure for "seasoning" new stoves is to burn several small
fires before burning a long, hot fire. During these "seasoning" fires,
most of the paint burn-in will take place. But the first few times you
fire the stove high, you may get some residual burn-in odor. After
five or six fires, it should stop as it does with ours (1-2) burns. I
know it's a hassle but if your continues to off gas paint odors I'd
consider removing it, sandblasting the thing and repainting it then do
a good seasoning of the stove. Or you can continue breathing in toxic
fumes.

HerHusband wrote:
The smell is most noticeable when the woodstove has heated up and I get a
good fire roaring in it. If I damper it down, the smell dissipates.

This is more consistent with creosote than curing paint, but since you
say the odor was strongest when the stove was new, curing paint likely
is the culprit.

I thoroughly clean our chimney every summer with the appropriate wire brush
and rods,

Brushing won't remove much creosote.

Una

On Wednesday, October 17, 2007 6:45:57 AM UTC-7, HerHusband wrote:
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even get warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly), NEVER
garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony

I am writing as have similar issue in two different stoves. The nasty chemical smell was very similar in both cases. The first stove i had was a " fake : gas stove. The kind with flames but you cant burn wood in it. It was newly installed. When I complained about the smell that came and went ...but was most strong if the stove hadnt been used in a while. The installer said it was the smell the insulation emitted at high temps from the insert box. Fast forward 10 years , different country. Had a wood burning stove for 8 years...then moved and had to get new pipes to fit right. the bottom ones are black heavy metal ones...hiher up they are shiny stainless steel ( I think) but the upper part is wrapped in rockwool covered in that metal looking wrapper. exact Nasty chemical smell again ..So it definetely either the new black pipies or the insulation...( the stove never had it the smell in 10 years.( or th eolder black pipes either which at one time were new to me) .I thought it was the insulaion ...but could be the paint on the black pipes. I am very sensitive to this chemical smell . I need to fix it ,,,, any ideas.

The ceramic sealant for the door/glass may be the odor you smell.* It's horrendous, and you're likely to smell it in areas furthest from the stove.* Definitely chemical smell.* Solution:* disassemble the door.* Clean all of the sealant off thoroughly.* Replace gaskets with a thicker sealant (more caulk-like than runny black crap that comes with gaskets).* Use the absolute minimum amount of sealant with new gaskets (Follow recommendations).* This will help a lot, but may not solve completely.* Circulate the air in your home, open windows.* Spaces where heat gets trapped emit stronger odor.* Another option is to not burn so hot, and makes sure your chimney and stove is cleaned regularly.


Paint smells similar, but slightly different.* So if unit or paint is fresh, take unit outside and burn off out there for 4-8 hours first.

On Wednesday, October 17, 2007 9:45:57 AM UTC-4, HerHusband wrote:
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even get warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly), NEVER
garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony

Possibly the carbon build up on the inside of the unit itself. When the damper is closed just a little too much(not enough to emit smoke)on ours, we experience a very unpleasant smell. This didn't start until the unit was at least 2-3 years old.

On Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:45:57 AM UTC-5, HerHusband wrote:
We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove. It
seems to be most noticeable when we have a hot fire going. If I damper down
the fire, the smell goes away.

I assumed it was just the paint on the woodstove or chimney pipe, but the
smell never seems to burn off. And it's strong again the next time we use
the woodstove.

I've cleaned the chimney, vacuumed all dust on and around the stove,
cleaned the door, etc. I've checked the walls around the woodstove to make
sure it isn't coming from an external source, but they rarely even get warm
to the touch.

We burn only clean dry wood (fir, pine, cedar, and alder mostly), NEVER
garbage or other material that might produce the smell. In fact, we rarely
even smell smoke unless I've opened the door to load wood or something.

Our wood stove (Lopi Patriot model) also gets it's combustion air from an
external source, not from the living space.

I've checked everything I can think of. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Anthony

Hey guys I realize Im way late to the party but we have lopi endevor have had it for 4 years last couple it has been making a plastic chemical smell, I was wondering if any of you have nailed down a true reason. Im wondering about the incorrectly cured paint. When we first bought the stove I had trouble burning it exactly the way they recomended be our wood ended up not being seasoned enough for this stove. Everything I burn now is two years seasoned and I only burn hedge. I have burnt junk mail with some plastic on it but I would think a couple 600 degree fires would deffinently make the smell go away. would love some feed back the local stove shop were we bought it thinks were nuts.

We've had our woodstove for about four years now. Late last year, we
started noticing a "plastic" smell when we are using the woodstove.

Hey guys I realize Im way late to the party but we have lopi endevor
have had it for 4 years last couple it has been making a plastic
chemical smell, I was wondering if any of you have nailed down a true
reason. Im wondering about the incorrectly cured paint. When we first
bought the stove I had trouble burning it exactly the way they
recomended be our wood ended up not being seasoned enough for this
stove. Everything I burn now is two years seasoned and I only burn
hedge. I have burnt junk mail with some plastic on it but I would
think a couple 600 degree fires would deffinently make the smell go
away. would love some feed back the local stove shop were we bought it
thinks were nuts.

I never figured out the exact cause but I find I can mostly eliminate the
plastic odor if I give the wood stove a good cleaning inside and out before
firing it up each fall. Scoop out the ash, then scrub down the vent pipes
at the inside top of the stove making sure the vent holes are all open.
Also, wipe everything down on the outside of the stove, top, sides, and
back. I pull the heat deflector off ours so I can clean that area well.

I don't know if it has something to do with dust that collected over the
summer, or residue left inside from the previous winter. I still get a
minor odd smell the first time I fire it up, but it is much less than
before I adopted the super cleaning each fall.

Anthony Watson
www.mountainsoftware.com
www.watsondiy.com