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5
Troubleshooting
Start Fire Problems
Can't get fire started
Excessive smoke or spillage
Burns too slowly
Smolders, sizzles
Fire burns too fast
16
Possible Cause
Not enough kindling/paper or no
kindling/paper
Damper closed/not fully open
Not enough air for fire to ignite
Wood condition is too wet, too large
Bed of coals not established before
adding wood
Flue blockage such as birds' nests
or leaves in termination cap
Down draft or negative pressure
Competition with exhaust devices
Extremely dry or soft wood
No glass doors
Overdrafting
VCG Biltmore Series • SB100 Owner's Manual • 4013-304 • Rev A • 02/19/15
Solution
Use dry kindling, more paper. Arrange kindling & wood for
air movement.
Open damper.
Check for restricted cap/shroud.
Open air kit (if installed).
Check for flue blockage.
Pre-warm flue before starting fire (refer to starting fire
section).
Check for adequate vent height (refer to chimney
assembly section).
Open window below the fireplace towards the wind.
Use dry, seasoned wood (refer to wood fuel section).
Start with paper & kindling to establish bed of coals (refer
to starting fire section).
Have chimney inspected for creosote and cleaned by a
certified chimney sweep.
Do not use exhaust fans during start-up (refer to negative
pressure section).
Open window below the fireplace towards the wind.
Mix in hardwood.
Mix in less seasoned wood after fire is established (refer
to wood fuel section).
Add glass doors to slow down air flow.
Check for correct vent height; too much vertical height
creates overdrafting.
Check location of vent termination (refer to chimney
assembly section).
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