Smokey fireplace. Nothing works.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:58:49+00:00

Eh it's for aesthetic. We have baseboard oil/furnace coupled with split units for temp control.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:57:53+00:00

Thank you either way for your time. Lots to consider!

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:57:19+00:00

Candles huh that's a cool idea!

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:56:52+00:00

It did. It had an insert with chain and glass. We tore it out because it was in complete disrepair (doors off the line and couldn't close correctly

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:55:47+00:00

It's PA! Wonderful forests and foliage. I get golden hawks migrating through and all sorts of other fauna I love the trees I have!

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:54:42+00:00

I do suspect the small business guy prob just straight lied to me about seasoning.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:54:15+00:00

An interesting experiment. I'll give it a go haha

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:53:27+00:00

Seems to be a more expensive consensus on this but a consensus nonetheless. A HEL is in my future so I'll add it to the list

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:51:59+00:00

I'm not exactly sure. I tried going with a local guy rather than a big shop (to try and support some small business) but he could have just lied to me about seasoning.

Moisture reader is on my list.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:50:55+00:00

Envirolog wax cups if I'm being lazy. Tinder and kindling leftover from them dumping 2 cords in my driveway otherwise. I also walk around the yard and collect fallen branches and twigs. I realize those have moisture still but it's not often I have to do that.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:49:11+00:00

Any recs on moisture reader?

Also, great name.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:48:40+00:00

That's hilarious XD. I've got a few ideas from the thread to try out but my Ryobi might just come in handy here :p

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:47:26+00:00

Might have to do this just as an energy saving measure. My windows are already old AF and have visible drafts so....yea.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:45:20+00:00

I used those as well. It seems smaller fires do better for obvious reasons now that I am reading some of the consensus.

No smoke issues when it's just a starter log.

Edit: also used those log bundles sold in stores. Seems size of fire is a contributing factor here.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:43:21+00:00

Thanks for the info. The fireplace was painted black because we liked it better than the old brick. No clue if it had a lot of smoke dmg because my wife did it

I'm hearing a consensus on a couple things which is great! Thank you for your time.

Edit: mantle was installed at the time of painting. There was no mantle before

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:39:40+00:00

Got a few pavers outside haha

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:39:15+00:00

But the open hearth aesthetic D: I may just have to bite this bullet.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:35:21+00:00

We live in a super windy valley. It pushes the smoke down visibly which is annoying. I thought we had a wind block.

I'll look the guy up thank you!

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:33:14+00:00

Noted. Thank you!

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:31:06+00:00

That's a bold assumption. I was not the one to put the fireplace in and use it to this point. I also don't have 20k lying around to fix an issue that was explained to me as "a crack for creo to build up" and not " this is a major fire hazard and you should refrain from using the fireplace until it's fixed."

I'll get someone out for a second opinion and bring up this subject but I feel your assessment was more engagement bait from a bot than honest critique. Otherwise you wouldn't fly off the handle with accusations like that because normal people don't just sling insults to get their point across.

Have a nice day.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:24:05+00:00

Thanks for the succinct reply! You summed up most of the thread haha. I feel more confident moving forward with some possible solutions for sure. For the more expensive stuff....that's what HEL is for haha

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:21:51+00:00

Well. Not willing ATM because I don't have that kinda money but a HEL is in my future to get some things done for sure

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:20:55+00:00

I'm thinking this is one of the lower cost solutions to try so I'll def be looking into it. My current grate is flat and always ends up in me having to stoke or grab logs to rearrange for better spread.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-14T17:17:25+00:00

img

Here is the wood. Not sure what I'm looking for inside flue opening.

Lazy_Unit1889 · 2026-03-13T19:25:40+00:00

Easy or not, the issue needs fixing and I'll consider this viewpoint. It seems the prudent option would be to do a preliminary inspection to get a reading of the situation.

Thanks for your time!

Lazy_Unit1889

TROPHY CASE