potato peels and wood stoves?

[MoCat]

A friend told me that if you put potato peels in a hot wood stove and burn them with regular wood that it will keep the flue clean and helps to prevent flue fires. Has anyone heard of this/tried it?

[Harry Chickpea]

It won't. Good way to get rid of potato peels though... (Peels can harbor black rot and putting them in compost is iffy.)

[simi-steading]

That's an old wives tale... the only safe thing to do is clean your fireplace with a brush... Some people use the chimney cleaner logs.. They do help harden up the deposits and some break loose and fall, but it's still not a replacement for cleaning properly with a brush.

It would only take the scare of one chimney fire for you to give up on the potato peel idea... if you house was still standing afterwards..

[unregistered353870]

Probably the only thing they do is add a little steam, which can help, but I doubt it's enough to make a real difference.

[MoCat]

My friend read this on another web site and thought it sounded odd. But had to ask...

[Dutchie]

Originally Posted by MoCat

A friend told me that if you put potato peels in a hot wood stove and burn them with regular wood that it will keep the flue clean and helps to prevent flue fires. Has anyone heard of this/tried it?

Yes, have done that for many, many years.

[DakotaBrat]

My chimney sweep guy told us to burn the peeling a couple of times a week but we still have to use the brush for a good cleaning The peeling help reduce the buildup not a complete cleaning

[fishhead]

No but I have some magic beans that will keep your chimney clean.

[Harry Chickpea]

Originally Posted by fishhead

No but I have some magic beans that will keep your chimney clean.

My wife complains every time I eat those.

[haypoint]

After three correct replies, I thought we might have a myth-free thread. But it was not to be. Sometime soon, someone will have to tell about cleaning the chimney by burning aluminum cans. Just too predictable....

Just ask yourself, " How could this possibly work? Really?"

[fishhead]

I think that burning dry wood will help keep your chimney cleanER.

[MichaelZ]

Cut and split your wood one year in advance. Store in a covered shed that has good air circulation. Still you will need to clean at least once a season and check and clean if needed in the mid season.

[Sawmill Jim]

Originally Posted by MichaelZ

Cut and split your wood one year in advance. Store in a covered shed that has good air circulation. Still you will need to clean at least once a season and check and clean if needed in the mid season.

Nope i burn mine as i cut it at my age and health to much chance of someone else burning it

[haypoint]

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

Nope i burn mine as i cut it at my age and health to much chance of someone else burning it

When did you quit buying green bananas?

[am1too]

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

It won't. Good way to get rid of potato peels though... (Peels can harbor black rot and putting them in compost is iffy.)

No the heat will kill it in a few hours if it reaches 130. A good pile will be 140 for a week.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by simi-steading

That's an old wives tale... the only safe thing to do is clean your fireplace with a brush... Some people use the chimney cleaner logs.. They do help harden up the deposits and some break loose and fall, but it's still not a replacement for cleaning properly with a brush.

It would only take the scare of one chimney fire for you to give up on the potato peel idea... if you house was still standing afterwards..

I burn seasoned hard woods. In 6 years I haven't been able to scratch a quart from my flue.

[Sawmill Jim]

Originally Posted by haypoint

When did you quit buying green bananas?

A while back i was afraid the pawl bearers would eat them

[Mrs.Swirtz]

Haypoint, My neighbor just told me about using aluminum cans at church on Sunday,lol.

[ronbre]

our wood furnace company suggests that you use a creosote remover powder in your wood furnace on a regular basis..they even sell their own brand but it is also available from places like Tractor supply..

You can google it..it does work to help keep build up down..but you still have to clean your chimne..

also a stainless steel double or triple chimney is best way..crap falls right off them..tap tap

[unregistered353870]

our wood furnace company suggests that you use a creosote remover powder in your wood furnace on a regular basis..they even sell their own brand

Of course they do...not saying it doesn't work, but it definitely isn't necessary.