Possible wood stove issue

Since a few months I'm using a brand new wood stove and never had any issues. Since yesterday it's almost impossible to keep a fire. It dies pretty fast or makes the wood just smoulder without producing any heat.

I have a feeling that there's something wrong with the "stick" on the side. Sorry, English is not my first language and I can't figure out what that part is called. It's for opening the vent less (push in) or more (pull out). It sounds different and I think the vents are closed and pulling that stick out doesn't open them up.

For now I can keep a fire by having the stove door slightly open. Because it's the weekend I can't reach my stove installer, so I figured asking here.

I have brand new Napoleon S25 wood stove with a brand new chimney.

There is a troubleshooting section in the manual on page 41:

https://www.napoleon.com/sites/default/files/fireplaces_products/S25-Installation-%26-Operation-Manual.pdf

Does it burn okay once you've got the stove heated up? It does sound like a lack of air, based on your description. When you move the "air control" (it really is just a stick) do you feel like anything is moving/opening and closing?

Michael Helmersson wrote:There is a troubleshooting section in the manual on page 41:

https://www.napoleon.com/sites/default/files/fireplaces_products/S25-Installation-%26-Operation-Manual.pdf

Does it burn okay once you've got the stove heated up? It does sound like a lack of air, based on your description. When you move the "air control" (it really is just a stick) do you feel like anything is moving/opening and closing?

No that's the thing, when I push it in or pull it out, I don't hear anything like I used to do. I have a feeling that that stick isn't doing anything anymore, but I have no idea what it looks like on the inside and how that stick is connected to the vent.

I have to keep the door open to keep the fire on. When I close the door, the wood just smoulders and the temperature goes down.

That would definitely explain the problem. The manual doesn't really help, in terms of showing how the air control works.

I checked for discussions about this on other forums but didn't find any.

Michael Helmersson wrote:That would definitely explain the problem. The manual doesn't really help, in terms of showing how the air control works.

I checked for discussions about this on other forums but didn't find any.

For now I'll just keep the stove door slightly open, and give my installer a call on Monday

Daniel please be carful with this.  It sounds like a plug or a mechanical failure.  Leaving the door open can let CO (carbon monoxide) in the house.  We lost local newlyweds to this.

I tried some things and I think the stick is working properly. I can feel it opening and closing a vent from under the fire box. Now I'm thinking that there's no draft from the bottom because there's ashes blocking it (although I cleaned it all out a few days ago and there's only a thin layer in there). Once the stove is cooled down, I'll clean it out again and see if that helps.

Daniel Benjamins wrote:I tried some things and I think the stick is working properly. I can feel it opening and closing a vent from under the fire box. Now I'm thinking that there's no draft from the bottom because there's ashes blocking it (although I cleaned it all out a few days ago and there's only a thin layer in there). Once the stove is cooled down, I'll clean it out again and see if that helps.

My fingers are crossed for this solving the problem. Please let us know how it works so I can uncross my fingers and relax.  

Michael Helmersson wrote:

Daniel Benjamins wrote:I tried some things and I think the stick is working properly. I can feel it opening and closing a vent from under the fire box. Now I'm thinking that there's no draft from the bottom because there's ashes blocking it (although I cleaned it all out a few days ago and there's only a thin layer in there). Once the stove is cooled down, I'll clean it out again and see if that helps.

My fingers are crossed for this solving the problem. Please let us know how it works so I can uncross my fingers and relax.  

Good news, for some reason the stove is now doing very well. Maybe I triggered the vent by wiggling it from under the fire box, or maybe it's all a big coincidence. Let's see how it goes from now and I will clean it out anyway tomorrow morning.

I'm glad to hear it, Daniel.