Can I use a simple candle to test an old (late 1980s) airtight wood stove? (good, light)

[2Q&Lrn&Hlp]

It hasn't been used for years, but some time back the last 2 fires turned into roaring fires with the stack glowing. (I wasn't there when those fires were built, so don't know what the stove was stoked with either time.) It was assumed to have been leaking air, as neither fire could not be shut down at all . . . I don't know if that was an accurate assumption. . . . It reportedly was resealed after that, but I want to test it before actually lighting a fire in it. Is there any other way that I could tell if it has been resealed . . . ?

[6.7traveler]

That sounds like a chimney fire, have you visually inspected and cleaned the chimney? That's a great place to start. There could be a bunch of creosote buildup or possibly other debris causing an obstruction. I definitely wouldn't start a fire in it without doing that first.

[purehuman]

Originally Posted by 2Q&Lrn&Hlp

It hasn't been used for years, but some time back the last 2 fires turned into roaring fires with the stack glowing. (I wasn't there when those fires were built, so don't know what the stove was stoked with either time.) It was assumed to have been leaking air, as neither fire could not be shut down at all . . . I don't know if that was an accurate assumption. . . . It reportedly was resealed after that, but I want to test it before actually lighting a fire in it. Is there any other way that I could tell if it has been resealed . . . ?

The "stack glowing" just means the fire was built tooo big...and got too hot...thus possibly starting a creasote fire from an uncleaned chimney.
If there was no smoke coming out of it (from the stove, not the stack)then it's probably well sealed.
You could test it by lighting a bit of newspaper in it, and seeing if it smokes from the door, or lid. .
*Usually an airtight has a draft that can be open...on the stack... (when lighting) or shut when stoked up and shut down.
If the airtight smokes when you light some paper in it, either the drafts not open, or the chimney is plugged.
Good luck...I've been heating with wood only for 40 plus years...nothing beats it.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by purehuman

If the airtight smokes when you light some paper in it, either the drafts not open, or the chimney is plugged.

If the chimney is not heated it may not draft well especially if the stove is all closed up, in some cases it can even have reverse draft without being heated. You can try warming it up a little with a hair dryer or other heat source.

[arctichomesteader]

Put a bright battery powered light inside the stove, close the door. Look around the edges of the doors very carefully for light poking through. If you see any light the gasket needs to be replaced. The seams where the stove pieces are joined could also leak if the stove is in real bad shape.