How to Stop Smoke Coming Out of Your Stove

Do you have smoke coming from your stove even when the door is closed? These are the most common reasons why and how to stop smoke coming out of your stove.

May 4, 2023
By Reece Toscani
Leave a Comment

Guides & Knowledge

When Smoke Doesn’t Stay in the Stove

When your stove is working properly, all smoke should travel up the chimney, leaving nothing but clean warmth in your home. But if smoke leaks into the room while your stove is closed, something is interfering with the draft. Not only is this frustrating, but it can also be dangerous — smoke and carbon monoxide should never linger indoors.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most common reasons smoke might escape your stove while the doors are closed, the quick fixes you can try straight away, and the longer-term solutions that keep your fire burning clean.

Why Is Smoke Escaping From a Closed Stove?

If your stove smokes even while the door is shut, it usually means the chimney isn’t drawing properly. Here are the most likely causes:

Cold or Poor Chimney Draft – A cold chimney creates resistance that smoke struggles to overcome, especially at the start of a fire.
Downdraughts – Wind striking your chimney can push smoke back down into the stove.
Blocked or Dirty Chimney/Flue – Soot, creosote, or even bird nests can restrict the passage of smoke.
Clogged Chimney Cap or Spark Arrestor – Creosote often builds up on chimney caps, and a blocked mesh screen can choke the draft.
Insufficient Chimney Height – A chimney that isn’t tall enough relative to the roofline won’t pull strongly.
Wet or Unseasoned Wood – Damp logs generate heavy smoke that the flue struggles to clear.
Poor Ventilation in the Room – Airtight homes sometimes starve the stove of oxygen, creating negative pressure that forces smoke into the room.
Leaky Flue Joints – Poorly fitted or damaged pipework can upset the pressure balance.

Paint Not Smoke

Not all smoke comes from the fire itself. Depending on the type of paint or finish applied to your stove, it often needs to “cure” the first few times you light it. This curing process can release what looks like smoke from the surface of the stove — especially the top plate — along with a sharp, acrid smell. This is temporary and after two or three firings, the curing process should be complete and the smell will disappear, leaving you with a clean-burning, odour-free stove.

Quick Fixes You Can Try Straight Away

The good news is that many smoke issues can be resolved with simple adjustments:

Warm the Flue First – Before lighting, roll up some newspaper and let it burn at the top of the stove to create an initial draft. Alternatively, use kindling or a firelighter on a log to “prime” the chimney (see video below).
Start With Dry Kindling – A hot, bright kindling fire quickly builds the heat needed to clear the flue.
Check the Chimney Cap – Make sure the mesh isn’t clogged with creosote or debris.
Burn Only Seasoned Wood – Logs should be under 20% moisture content. Use a moisture meter if you’re unsure.
Improve Ventilation – Crack a window in the stove room if your house is very airtight, or consider fitting an external air supply.
Turn Off Extractor Fans – Kitchen hoods and bathroom fans can pull air down the chimney. Switching them off while the stove is in use helps maintain draft.

Still struggling with smoke escaping your stove? While many issues can be solved with simple fixes, sometimes the safest option is to get a professional inspection.

➡️ Visit HETAS to find a registered installer or chimney sweep near you who can check your system and make sure everything is running safely and efficiently.

Longer-Term Solutions for a Smoke-Free Stove

If smoke problems persist despite following the basics, you may need to make some upgrades or maintenance adjustments:

Fit an Alternative Chimney Cowl – A good anti-downdraught cowl can stop wind pushing smoke back down your flue.
Increase Chimney Height – Extending the flue can significantly improve draft.
Install a Chimney Liner or Insulation – Lined or insulated chimneys stay hotter, improving upward pull.
Reduce Bends in the Flue – Where possible, aim for a straighter run — fewer elbows means fewer restrictions.
Install a Draft-Booster Fan – If none of the above work, then a draft-booster fan might be the solution for your chimney problems.
Use a Stovepipe Thermometer – A magnetic thermometer on the flue pipe helps ensure your stove is burning at the right temperature (around 150–300°C when smoke is present), reducing creosote build-up that restricts draft.
Schedule Regular Chimney Sweeping – At least once a year, ideally twice for frequent users, to keep the flue clear.
Professional Inspection – A HETAS-registered installer can check for leaks, poorly sized flues, or installation faults.

Safety First

Smoke in the room is more than a nuisance — it’s a warning sign. A poorly drawing chimney or blocked flue can quickly lead to carbon monoxide build-up, which is deadly. Always ensure your stove room is fitted with a working carbon monoxide alarm.

If smoke continues despite your best efforts, don’t ignore it. Call in a professional sweep or installer to identify the underlying cause.

Clear the Air for Good

When a stove leaks smoke while closed, it’s almost always down to draft or ventilation problems. By keeping your chimney clean, using dry fuel, and ensuring your flue setup is working with — not against — your stove, you’ll restore a clean, efficient burn.

👉 Have you had smoke issues with your stove? What solved the problem for you? Drop a comment below — your experience might help another stove owner get their fire back on track.

For more practical advice, check out our guide on how to use stove air vents effectively.

See related stories to this one:

Stove Maintenance, Stove Owners Guide, Stove Safety, Woodburner Troubleshooting

Reece Toscani

Reece has over two decades in the fireplace and stove world — testing, reviewing, and occasionally getting covered in soot, all in the name of wood-fired home heating. He cuts through the nonsense, busts the myths, and shares straight-talking advice to help you enjoy your stove without the confusion. From Fireplace Products to Redefining Woodburners, if it burns wood, he’s probably tested it, fixed it, or argued about it. Now, through Woodburner Insights, he shares that experience with the world — both here and on YouTube.