How to break in a new gas fireplace or stove?

A new gas fireplace or stove will emit smoke and fumes during the first couple of start-up fires. This is normal and is called “off-gassing.” As paint cures and oils from the manufacturing process burning off, strong odors and smoke may occur. Basically, you need to turn the appliance on high and let it thoroughly heat up. Perform the break-in procedure on a relatively mild day and simply open a window to ventilate the room. The new equipment will typically take 3 or 4 hours for odors and smoke to dissipate. Be sure to check your owner’s manual. There may be a procedure the manufacturer wants you to follow for your specific model.

After a couple of initial fires, some stoves and fireplaces might produce odors. This is caused by impurities around the appliance.

These sources of impurities might include pet hair, dust, new carpeting, adhesives, cigarette smoke, candles, and solvents. Ventilate the room and keep these contaminates away from the stove or fireplace.

Be especially conscious of keeping pet hair and dust from collecting on warm surfaces and the fan.

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service Quebec (QC)

Bonaventure, QC

Marcel Dionne et fils Inc
338, av de Port-Royal Ouest,
Bonaventure, QC G0C 1E0

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Delson, QC

Agrémat – Espace chaleur
188, ch. St-François Xavier
Delson, QC J5B 1X9

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Gatineau, QC

Au Centre Du Foyer De L'Outaouais
1193 Boul St-Joseph
Gatineau, QC J8Z 2C3

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Granby, QC

Cité du Feu
1361 rue denison ouest
Granby, QC j0e 2a0

Laval, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
1070 Montée Masson
Laval, QC H7C 2R2

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Longueuil, QC

Boutique Chaleur
620 Boul Therrien
Longueuil, QC J4H 3V9

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Mirabel, QC

Agrémat
13755 Rue de la Chapelle
Mirabel, QC J7J2C9

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Quebec City, QC

Maconnex
5690 Boulevard Pierre-Bertrand Nord
Quebec City, QC G2J 1B7

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Rimouski, QC

Marcel Dionne et fils Inc
905 Lausanne
Rimouski, QC G5L 8Y9

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Saguenay, QC

Maconnex
2223, boulevard Saint-Paul
Saguenay, QC G7K 1E5

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Saint-Basile-le-Grand, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
77 boul. Sir Wilfrid-Laurier
Saint-Basile-le-Grand, QC J3N 1M2

Saint-Eustache, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
28 Boul. Industriel
Saint-Eustache, QC J7R 5C1

Saint-Eustache, QC

Les Foyers Mirabel
415 avenue mathers
Saint-Eustache, QC J7P 4C1

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Saint-Hubert, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
3170 rue Harvey
Saint-Hubert, QC J3Y 3T6

Saint-Isidore, QC

Maconnex
2036, chemin de la Riviere
Saint-Isidore, QC G0S 2S0

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Saint-Lazare, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
550 Route Cité des Jeunes
Saint-Lazare, QC J7T2A7

Sherbrooke, QC

Maconnex
69, chemin Godin
Sherbrooke, QC J1R 0S6

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St-Bruno de Montarville, QC

Les Foyers et Cheminees Piermon Inc
2193 Boul Sir Wilfrid Laurier
St-Bruno de Montarville, QC J3V 4P6

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St-Charles Borromee, QC

Maison Chaleur et Confort
1060 Visitation
St-Charles Borromee, QC J6E 7Y8

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St-Georges, QC

Busque et Cie
2271, 90e Rue
St-Georges, QC G5Y 7B6

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St-Jean sur Richelieu, QC

Propane Beauchemin
775 rue Gaudette
St-Jean sur Richelieu, QC J3B7S7

Trois-Rivieres, QC

Maison Chaleur et Confort
1015, boulevard Thibeau Nord, 
Trois-Rivieres, QC G8T 7B3

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Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC

Foyer Gaz
401 boul. Harwood, local 12b
Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 7W1


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

2 Responses

  1. Nick Mansfield
    Good day sir, I installed a new Jotul Allagash I did it alone . I’m on the 3rd floor in Manchester NH I used a flue liner 17 ‘ long with the proper cap . I can’t seem to stop it from smoking! I retraced all my steps and, tried to adjust the air damper. It still smells of smoke. I have tried to talk to the dealership to no avail Do you have any ideas? Thanks you
    • Joseph Bodden
      Nick: Thanks for your note. The Jotul Allagash is a popular stove and one that's has a proven track record. I'm thinking that the smoke you are dealing with are the oils and solvents from the manufacturing process and the paint curing on the stove. Some stoves seem to smoke and stink very little. Others seem to take 4 or 5 hours to cure. I would suggest opening as many windows as possible, maybe put a box fan in one to help move the inside air out, and let the stove run for a few hours. Be sure to check your owner's manual too. There's likely something in it that addresses this issue too.

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