Because of the warmer outside temperature, the house will feel colder than it is, and the desire to
light the stove and at least match the outside temperature will reveal another problem, the stove
will not light.
If sufficient air is coming down the flue the stove will appear to begin its lighting cycle, but smoke
will emanate from what are normally air inlets and into the room.
The stove may continue to operate in this fashion for a considerable time but because the flue is
operating in reverse there is no possibility of any warm air produced by the stove travelling up the
flue, to warm it, and reverse the flow.
If the house feels colder than the outside temperature, do not light the stove without clarifying
that the air is travelling up, rather than down, the flue.
As mentioned previously, a smell of soot is an indication that the flue is operating in the reverse
but by opening the stove’s door and placing a hand within the stove, it should be possible to
confirm the air flow. Leaving the stove door open for a few minutes may allow enough air through
the flue to warm its fabric sufficiently, to at least stall the air flow, which will make lighting
possible.
If this fails, the practice of directing warm air from a hair dryer into the stove is a solution chosen
by some, who report it to be effective. However, do not attempt this procedure unless the stove is
scrupulously clean and free of all ash, dust and any other debris; the air flow from a hair dryer is
surprisingly powerful.
We would recommend setting the stoves controls to the lighting position, putting two
loosely crumpled pieces of newspaper onto the grate and lighting them. Leaving the main door a
crack open, the thickness of your little finger, and letting the paper burn out. This produces very
little smoke but enough heat to reverse the direction of the flue.
