WHY DOES THE FIRE GO OUT OR SMOLDER WHEN I CLOSE THE DOOR OR THE BYPASS DAMPER?

This can occur due to several factors:

• The fire was not burning hot enough to produce the draft needed to pull the air into the fireplace. Feed more dry wood kindling before closing down the stove.
• The chimney draft is weak due to too many restrictions; chimney height below the minimum; draft is diluted due to poor gasket connection(s); loose clean out door.
• The wood is not properly seasoned or too big to create the heat necessary to produce draft.
• Air shutter was not open enough. Open the air shutter all the way to get the fire burning briskly before shutting it down.