Something to try if your Tulikivi is smoking

   Smoking may occur or the initial firing may be difficult as a result of weather conditions or prolonged periods of idleness. Check the draft by lighting a lighter and holding it near the opened draft door: If the flame pulls towed the opening, your draft is sufficient. If not, the draft must be induced through priming. A paper and kindling fire should be ready for ignition in the firebox with the glass door and the ash door closed.

   Prime the chimney draft directly by opening the Tulikivi's soot plug and lighting about 6 loosely wadded sheets of newspaper inside the Tulikivi's smoke chamber,  one at a time. Once the draft of the chimney is audibly and visibly established " Sounds like a jet taking off", proceed quickly to the firebox, open the ash door and light the paper and/or kindling. Then close the soot plug.

Another technique that may help to first warm the chimney is to use a hair dryer instead of paper for five minutes and the immediately light the firebox.

The objective of this exercise is to move and replace the weight of the dens, cold, moist air in the chimney with warm, dry air to initiate the draft. Remember to always burn dry room tempter wood.

The same principles will work for a wood stove and fireplace as well.
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