The #1 problem we find when a customer calls to tell us that their stove wont draft or can't start a fire without a lot of smoke coming in my home or a strong smell of smoke in the home when using their wood stove relates to the 1/2" Screened Spark Arrestors that are a California Requirement and need to be checked periodically for cleanliness along with your flu and all exterior sealants. As a rule of thumb, cleaning your flue once every cord of wood burned is a good habit to be in. However, if you start to smell smoke in your home, check your Spark Arrestor!

​

Quickley pugging spark arrestors can be caused by several factors. Low quality fuels and environmental reasons are at the top of the list. How your wood burning appliance is being used, burning at the lowest burn rate for extended periods of time will also increase the rate of buildup on the spark arrestor. Newer EPA higher efficiency wood burning appliances, counterintuitively, also can cause a higher rate of the spark arrestor becoming plugged quicker based on the design, i.e. Catalytic vs Non Catalytic. Improperly designed flues, such as to short, or to long of horizontal runs will also increase the Spark Arrestor plugging.

 

Knowing your wood burning appliance and your knowledge of what to look for in the wood you burn, how you burn, keeping your flue clean, will keep your hearth happy for many years to come