Help! My stove is blowing up in my face, what causes that?

Signed, Singed and Smoking

With the design of the combustion system in a MagnuM stove, it is nearly impossible for the appliance to puff back, flare up and out the door, or “blow up in your face”.  If you are experiencing this with your stove, here is some information that will be sure to help.

Happening When You Light the Stove?

If this is happening when you light the stove then it is the starter fluid that you are using. Do not use gas, charcoal lighter or any other highly flammable liquid to start your stove. Only use approved starter for your appliance. This can be purchased at any good retail specialty shop.

If the fire is already lit do not add any fire starter. This is sure to give you a surprise. Fire starter gel is not intended to add to the fire once it is lit and burning.

Happening When You Open the Door?

If the appliance puffs out the door when opened or the fire flares up when you open the door then the appliance is either installed incorrectly, you have negative pressure in the home, or the unit is plugged and needs servicing. In all of these cases it is important that you follow the manufacturer’s recommended daily, weekly and monthly maintenance guidelines and consult with a trained service tech to get your stove back in perfect operating condition.

We have a GREAT online resource for technical questions on our forum, which you can visit and find expert help.

To access the manual for your heating appliance, you can visit our Technical Documents and Owner’s Manual section of our website.

photo credit: quinn.anya

Furnaces have been around a long, long time. We all have stories of furnaces going out, having to replace a furnace, or moving into a house with an ancient furnace that is far from heat efficient and economical to run.

While corn and flex-fuel stoves have been around for quite sometime, we have yet to experience an average life expectancy for a flex-fuel stove.

You ask the question, “What is the life expectancy of a multi-fuel (flex fuel) stove?”

Well, I don’t really know yet! My MagnuM corn stove has been going for over 27 years and is still operating. There are several hundred thousand appliances in operation today that have been out for 10 plus years and are still going.

The serviceable parts can be replaced and reputable manufacturers like American Energy Systems Inc. have been around for more than 37 years.

It is important to maintain your appliance, have it installed correctly and follow the manufacturers suggestions on how to operate and maintain your unit.

We’ve posted dozens of helpful videos on correct installation and maintainace of your Magnum Countryside or Country Flame heating appliance on YouTube, such as the one featured below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You should expect a lot of years of toasty evenings without wrapping up in layers of clothes. You can also expect your flex-fuel stove to give your furnace a run for the money both in heat efficiency and longevity!

photo credit: barockschloss