Chimney Question

[mrpbjnance]

I have started my first fires....But I am getting a little black soot on my arch. Not a lot but the wife will nag me about it!
If I extend my chimney to make it taller will that help?
I am burning Ash.

[maver]

firestarter

How are you starting your fires? I've followed the forum's advice (I think James suggested this), beginning a small kindling and newspaper fire directly under the chimney (actually, I've started making this under the oven entrance arch just behind the vent landing to start warming the oven chamber a little) to warm the chimney and get the draw started. Although this smokes a little it draws straight up the chimney. Then, when the primary fire is started and smoke is being produced in volume it vents quickly. This worked well when I initially had only 2 one foot flu liner segments stacked. Adding another flu liner later has not seemed to make much difference. My guess (from my limited experience with this) is that the chimney warming fire is more important in "telling the smoke where to go" than the height of the chimney. I hope that's helpful.

[mrpbjnance]

Thanks Maver I had not seen that post. i will give that a try!