Emmsy

I think I've become very cautious and concerned about it all, and as a result I think electric will give me piece of mind.

No, they told me we should sell the stove as we'd get near £600.

Thanks all so much for your really useful guidance. I got a specialist round last week to have a good look. I'm not sure we really established what the smell is, but to summarise the appointment it ended with 'I wouldn't light that ever again!'. I forget all the things she said were wrong with the set up, but a few were: Hearth too short so burner too close to carpet. Fibre glass etc falling on top metal plate (blanking plate is it called? where the flue goes through to the loft - made of steel) as not sealed in loft, there's just a big hole - could catch fire. Hot metal plate touching right up against wood beams. Electricity cable (I think for outdoor lights) running alongside flue in loft and touching the hot pipe. Burner too close to side walls - which are made of v thin brick and plasterboard. Vertical pipe in living room so close to walls it's the wrong type - should be insulated or something. There were other things that I've forgotten. The summary was it's dangerous, it could catch fire (in the wrong way!) and I shouldn't light it again. Unfortunately, to replace it with another log burner requires the removal and replacement of bricks (therefore redecoration), new hearth (therefore new carpet!), new chimney flue, etc etc - in other words, a total fortune and a right mess. Unfortunately, the set-up doesn't allow for a gas installation either, without significant upheaval. So we're going to go for an electric stove - one that looks similar, and stick an artificial flue on it to give the effect. I'm not happy about it, but it's the only realistic solution. Unfortunately, the installation was carried out by the previous owners. Also unfortunately, as we are in Scotland I have been told that there is no legal requirement for installers to be Hetas registered, so there is no paperwork. I do know who the installers were, but I fear it will be a case of one word against another, and as were weren't the original purchases I'm not sure it's a battle I have the energy to fight. I think we'll have to chalk it up as one of life's hurdles, and just pay for the replacement electric stove. So, crap news. But I'm glad to know the situation - I could have carried on and persevered with the smell, unaware of the significant risks it poses. Thanks again for all your efforts!!

This is really interesting and has certainly got me thinking. I guess getting a sweep to clean it (as we did) wouldn't solve such a problem. I will research it further and suggest it to the person visiting us on Thursday. Hopefully they bring a camera. It's not on an external wall, it goes straight in to the loft (bungalow) and out, without a chimney. Thanks so much for the useful help!!

Thanks everyone. You're right, it sure doesn't smell like dust. It's so awful. And in any case, I hoover and wipe it thoroughly all the time. I've phoned a local company who are going to take a look in Thursday. I just need to know it's safe.

Thanks. I keep coming back to it being dust as it's the only thing that makes sense. But we lit it yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks. The smell was truly horrendous - all doors and windows open. Smells almost toxic. Can this really just be dust?!

Not sure I'd say tary but it's certainly a chemically smell. Really strong, all windows open. Unbearable!

Thanks everyone - really appreciate your input. I do have a CO alarm, and it is positioned correctly and works. I have tried to sniff around the stove, and for the life of me can't work out where it's coming from. The chimney sweep checked it all out in October and said it was fine. There is no smell in the loft. It was installed by a professional company, so I can only assume building regs all been met. Previous owners did it. However, it smells quite quickly on lighting - the walls don't feel particularly hot when it starts to smell. I have burned it really hot (I think - I'll borrow an IR thermometer from work) many times.

Yes sir, sorry sir. I honestly don't know. I'd say it looks painted. Thanks for the 'scabby' comment 😂

Quite true - always handy for the creme brulees! Thanks so much for your help!

It's not the waxlings though that smell. This is very different. I will have to get someone in - a blow torch is not in something I own!!

Very grateful for everyone's time on this!!

Interesting. No idea, but maybe. Wouldn't it always smell though? Thanks.

We light it with waxlings and kindling.

There is no chimney. The pipe in this pic goes straight in to the loft (bungalow). You can see the pipe in the loft. There is no smell up there at all.