New Chiminee Frei Oeko plus 75 x 57 F+ smokes

Instead of the 30-year-old open fireplace, we had a new fireplace Frei Oeko plus 75 x 57 F+L installed. When operating with the door open, an annoying smoke odor soon spreads, which after at most half an hour makes it necessary to close the door and ventilate intensively. The fireplace builder says we have to live with it and burn with the door closed or have a new chimney cap installed to improve the draft. Some additional information:

[*]Old fireplace had very good draft and never spread smoke odor
[*]The draft in the new system is also very good
[*]The manufacturer explicitly allows the use of the system with the door raised in the operating manual and even sells accessories for grilling...
[*]Outside air supply is installed
[*]Smoke emission is constant and independent of the weather

The smoke clearly only ONLY occurs when the door is raised and ONLY from the gap between the door and the insert outer wall. It seems that "vortices" form inside the combustion chamber that cause the smoke to move on the inside of the raised glass, then "creep" over the door, descend on the outside, and enter the living area. We therefore fear that the proposed draft improvement is not the cause of the smoke emission.
Does anyone have advice? Is this not a design flaw of the insert? Do we really have to live with it?
Many thanks for your help

Hello Jimbo,
You can't simply identify the error remotely; but according to your description and my own experience, the settings that can be adjusted on the [Cheminée] to regulate the draft should be tested:
Do not exceed the amount of firewood suggested in the manual, correctly adjust the combustion air slider and the flue gas flap (also depending on the chimney height).
Go through the manual carefully; there are some tips on the settings in it.
Also keep in mind: during the first fires, unpleasant fumes arise due to the heating of the metal fats. This subsides quite quickly, and it is recommended in the manual to carry out the first fires in a well-ventilated living space.

Thanks Hertweck for the tips. Unfortunately, the whole thing has already been thoroughly tested. Specifically: - The amount of wood was not exceeded, rather it was undershot - Settings were made according to the operating instructions from the chimney builder, then repeatedly checked, also by the burner manufacturer. - Metal grease fumes were noticeable during the first fires, but no longer. It is clearly wood smoke odor. In my opinion, the decisive factor is the "wandering" of the smoke on the inside of the raised glass and its subsequent sinking on the outside. I am rather skeptical about the effectiveness of the draft improvement measures. Two metal parts have already been removed - the draft is now better than with the old system, but it still stinks merrily... Jimbo

Well, as I said, from a distance... Have you already contacted the manufacturer directly, or the [Bezirksschornsteinfegermeister] (that's what it's called here in Germany, maybe there is an equivalent craftsman in CH)? A fireplace certainly shouldn't stink.

Hello Jimbo

We also had a fireplace from the company Frei installed. (Type KK Front 65/70).
Operation with the door open is impossible; smoke gases flow immediately into the living area. When burning with the door closed, a strong smoke odor arises in the corners of the lintel. Therefore, the fireplace front must be repainted every winter. The glass sliding door turns black after only two uses.

The system was set up according to the company's specifications, fresh air supply, chimney cross-section, etc. (The chimney draws excellently.)
The company's service technician has checked all settings several times.
The sliding door was replaced and the entire setup inspected. No visible defects were found.

Have you been able to solve your problem or does anyone else know any advice?
We are very grateful for any information or assistance.

Thank you very much and best regards

Fellini

Hello Fellini,

In such cases, the draft of the chimney and/or the combustion temperature are not correct. The flue gases must not flow into the living space; with good draft, they should be drawn up the chimney. In Germany, we have the good old institution of the "district chimney sweep master"; he always provides professional advice in such cases. Is there something similar in Switzerland, like a chimney sweep or similar? If so, you should ask them for advice. Such problems can only be resolved on site.