We rely on our woodstove for a major part of our heat, but we've never exprienced anything like you describe. I wonder if it has to do with continual use.
To me smoke is smoke, regardless of the source.............apparently there are MANY who disagree with me.
It's a common experience in Fairbanks. Might have to do with atmospheric conditions at this latitude. Usually nobody mentions it, but when when somebody does mention it others say yeah but they don't know either.
Might be the location of the house and/or woodstove. My cousin, who lives in the basement of my Aunts house, has a fireplace in the main "settin" area. I asked him why he doesn't use it. Well, my Aunt's house is built into the side of a hill and he said for some reason when the wind is right it blows the smoke right back down the chimney and fills the house up with smoke.
And all this time I have been hearing that there is good smoke, bad smoke, and ugly smoke.
Your just not "picky" enough in your tastes Gabz. ; )