lazy mans way of cleaning stove pipes

Graham · #41 01/03/12, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artificer

??? Are you talking about the complete brush and rod system? Just the brush at Menards is $10, and you can use a rope/chain to pull it through the chimney. This is a steel brush, the poly bristles are even a bit cheaper. The only reason I can think of that brushes would be expensive is if you have a rectangular flue. Even then... $25 isn't that much.

Michael

My chimney is 16"x7" and finding a brush to fit is impossible. I got a quote from a company that makes custom sized brushes and they came back with $146.
I've recently cleaned it with a paint scraper fixed to a couple of cleaning rods but I still didn't get it all off. It's got the clay liner in it so I'm a bit wary about using the chain. I may eventually look into putting in a 6" steel liner kit.

RebelDigger · #42 01/03/12, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artificer

??? Are you talking about the complete brush and rod system? Just the brush at Menards is $10, and you can use a rope/chain to pull it through the chimney. This is a steel brush, the poly bristles are even a bit cheaper. The only reason I can think of that brushes would be expensive is if you have a rectangular flue. Even then... $25 isn't that much.

Michael

Our fireplace is an old fashion one, typical for houses like ours in this area big rectangle on the inside all the way up from the throat above the firebox. No damper, no tiles. There is not a bunch of creosote built up in it, mainly loose soot and dust so the cedar should do it and we already own rope and have access to a bucket truck to get up there. We don't have a Menards, guess that is a chain in other parts of the country?? I'm so cheap I squeak when I walk so I like the concept of free and cedar is free here for sure LOL.

Harry Chickpea · #43 01/03/12, 11:20 PM

Anyone consider the old method of filling a burlap bag full of hay and stones to form fit an odd shaped chimney, then using rope at the top an bottom of the bag to pull it up and down? I guess you could put some chains around it if you thought the bag wouldn't clean.

For us, Our circular triple wall is an easy clean with a brush on a PVC pipe.

Alice In TX/MO · #44 01/04/12, 08:22 AM

Yes, I have climbed up on a metal roof to clean it properly with the brushes and rods.

Yes, it does have to be done so you don't have to worry if your half way methods work and your house won't burn done.

Your safety measures should be adequate to compensate.

The cost of good sweep tools is minimal when compared to replacing your house after it burns and the insurance company won't pay because you didn't maintain your chimney.

Just saying.

Do it RIGHT.

Nevada · #45 01/04/12, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

thats my thought. Before I built my outdoor wood furnace, I burned my forced air furnace hot enough all the time that it stayed clean.

Yes, the occasional hot fire should clear creosote build-up enough to prevent chimney fires. If a hot fire doesn't do it, consider smaller diameter pipe.

But if he wants to manually clean his pipe with a torch I certainly have no objection.

RebelDigger · #46 01/04/12, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

Anyone consider the old method of filling a burlap bag full of hay and stones to form fit an odd shaped chimney, then using rope at the top an bottom of the bag to pull it up and down? I guess you could put some chains around it if you thought the bag wouldn't clean.

For us, Our circular triple wall is an easy clean with a brush on a PVC pipe.

This is pretty much the same scenario I saw on Vic. Farm except using brush instead of the burlap bag. 6 of one, half a dozen of another as my Mom used to say. Personally I don't see why either method should not work as good as brushes. As long as you get the chimney clean, that is, after all the objective and if using an old fashioned method will do it, why not? Recycling stuff around the farm, in my opinion, is way better than buying something produced in a factory, esp. if that factory happens to be in China.

chickenista · #47 01/04/12, 12:39 PM

On a nice day after a cold spell DH gets up on the roof, takes the cap off and uses the brush on the stove pipe. Then comes inside and takes the bend outside and dumps it.
But we are fortunate enough that the brush fits and he doesn't have to take out the whole thing and lay it in the yard.
Oh he would be fit to be tied....

francismilker · #48 01/13/12, 11:58 PM

My 6" pipe has a double 45 degree "S" sweep in it in order for me to get my stove a safe distance from the wall. Also, the stove roof has a piece of fireshield soapstone in it. This way, I can get a brush completely through it anyway. Anything I brush down lands on the top of the fireshield to reburn the next fire I light. It's like an act of congress to clean my pipe. (A very nice weathered day where no fire is needed and some time.)

Mulish · #49 01/14/12, 06:54 AM

Well, I know that the way my chimney was cleaned lsat year was not a conventional or approved method, but it was very effective, and completely safe for the home owners!

I keep a small flock of scovy ducks. One had gone missing for a week. I regretted losing her, but out here loses to predators do happen.

My sweetheart was down stairs in the livingroom when he heard scraping and rustling sounds coming from the woodstove. He thought that he would out the stove to find a bird or bat in there.

Well, it was a bird, the missing duck. The poor thing had been stuck in the pipe for a week!! I suppose as she starved and became dehydrated and lost weight she slid further down the pipe.

He could only see her feet dangling down into the stove, but was able to finesse her all the way out. She was quite sooty.

He carried her out to the pond, and she drank for a good ten minutes, swam away and carried on as if nothing had happened.

Boy am I glad this happened in the summer, and no fire was built under her. The previously un-named duck now goes by the name "Smokey Jo".

Yes, there is now a spark cap on the chimney!

**ladycat** · #50 01/14/12, 11:59 AM

Mulish, that gives me an idea. How about throwing a long haired cat down the pipe periodically?

Mulish · #51 01/14/12, 12:24 PM

As long as it was a good sized fat one, I think it would work!!

Pony · #52 01/14/12, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladycat

Mulish, that gives me an idea. How about throwing a long haired cat down the pipe periodically?

Did Oggie hack ladycat's account?

**ladycat** · #53 01/14/12, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Did Oggie hack ladycat's account?

"Like"

Ohiogal · #54 01/14/12, 06:58 PM

There's no substitute for an adequately size and built chimney and a good cleaning. And also quality pipes from the stove to the thimble in the wall, if this is how your system is set up.
I had my chimney - a brick/mortar/masonry chimney that went up through the center of the house - lined with the heaviest stainless steel liner I could get in there last October. I had the job done by professionals - firefighters who know what hazards are. They finished the job by pouring a cement and vermiculite solution down between the new liner and the masonry to eliminate the gaps in the existing structure.
When they removed the thimble from the old system, the surrounding wood which was 9" away at one point, was already charred. So it was just a matter of time before it literally went up in smoke. The comment made to me was "we are SURE GLAD you paid attention and had this done as this was SURE TO BURN."
Now I don't worry (as much) but I'm watchful that I don't overfire the stove and I also use a product that you spray into the back of the firebox when you have a good fire going. It is designed to make the creosote become like powder, so its easier to remove with a wire brush. Everytime I've had my stove cleaned they take a grocery sack of cresote out of there. I'm curious to see this year how much builds up. I burn seasoned hardwood and very little softwoods or green materials. You can't be too careful with fire.

KMA1 · #55 01/17/12, 04:01 PM

The only lazy man way of cleaning the chimney or stove pipe I od is burn a hot fire in fireplace and stove once a day. Heats the chimney hot enough to burn any creasot, but it is only a days worth and so no supeheating from a fire. When we clean our chimney and stove pipe at the end of the year or the beginning of the next, there is maybe a half gallon of loose, small black pieces half or less than the size of pennies, that is barely hanging in the chimneys. This usually comes loose with a pass or two of the brush. Usually spend more time taking out the spark arestor screens and cleaning the creasote out of them.

4nTN · #56 01/17/12, 05:19 PM

I`m scared to death of my woodstove.I posted a few years ago now about having a chimney fire.(no damage,because of my husband`s quick reaction`s.We did replace the pipes though)
Well I`ve been nervous around it ever since.I actually would rather pay an increased elec bill than burn wood.
I would LOVE to have an outdoor wood burner though,do any of you use one?

taylorlambert · #57 01/17/12, 05:53 PM

Dad taught me when I was little how to clean out our chimney. Take a bushy cedar with a trunk about 3 inche in diamter to hold on to and trim some of the branches off. Pack it inside the pipe and twist and shuffle up and down. We burn mixed wood here. I use kiln dried alder blocks from a cabinet shop and at night Ill build a good hot fire and then add on the green wood for a slower burn and big coals the next morning. I barely have any build up.

I saw a greenhouse with an under ground flue that ran the length of the 30 foot house. The firebox was built in the side of the hill was a 500 gallon tank. The 10 inch pipe builds up almost 5 inches of creosote and the build a really big fire and clean it. This thing will actually make the fire box suck leave off the ground in front of it. Its the only good flue fire lol .

ufo_chris · #58 01/17/12, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulish

Well, I know that the way my chimney was cleaned lsat year was not a conventional or approved method, but it was very effective, and completely safe for the home owners!

I keep a small flock of scovy ducks. One had gone missing for a week. I regretted losing her, but out here loses to predators do happen.

My sweetheart was down stairs in the livingroom when he heard scraping and rustling sounds coming from the woodstove. He thought that he would out the stove to find a bird or bat in there.

Well, it was a bird, the missing duck. The poor thing had been stuck in the pipe for a week!! I suppose as she starved and became dehydrated and lost weight she slid further down the pipe.

He could only see her feet dangling down into the stove, but was able to finesse her all the way out. She was quite sooty.

He carried her out to the pond, and she drank for a good ten minutes, swam away and carried on as if nothing had happened.

Boy am I glad this happened in the summer, and no fire was built under her. The previously un-named duck now goes by the name "Smokey Jo".

Yes, there is now a spark cap on the chimney!

I'm glad your duck was ok.
I rescued several birds out of our wood stove one fall and when the chimney sweep came he said it was so clean he didn't even have to sweep it and only charged us $20 for an inspection. That is one honest guy!
We did have a cap put on it so now we have to pay him every year, LOL!
We have it done professionally in case there ever is a fire, the insurance can't say we were negligent and not taking care of it.
Aslo we both hate any kind of heights!

tinknal · #59 01/20/12, 05:23 PM

I cleaned chimneys as a profession for a number of years. Many people here are telling anecdotal stories that are accurate, true, and wrong.

Please let me explain. There are a number of factors that contribute to the accumulation of creosote in a chimney. Among them are the wood that is being burned. Both the species of wood, and the moisture content. Wet wood does not contain any more creosote than dry wood but it does burn at a different temperature which brings us to the second consideration, the temperature of the smoke. Creosote condenses out of smoke at about 240 degrees. This means that creosote condenses out of smoke in your chimney at the point that it reaches that temperature. In an inefficient system like an ordinary fireplace the smoke is still above 240 when it leaves the chimney and it never accumulates creosote. In a very efficient system it may be cooler than that when it leaves the stove pipe so again, no accumulation.

The next consideration is the length of the chimney. A single story rambler with a stove or fireplace on the main floor might only have about 12 foot of chimney. A 2 story farmhouse with an attic and a stove in the basement may have 40 feet of chimney. The same stove in the rambler may never accumulate creosote while the stove in the 2 story always does.

Of course this brings us to the efficiency of the stove or fireplace. As stated, this will determine the amount and location of creosote when combined with the other factors.

My Uncle Walter had a very efficient wood boiler system with about 40 feet of chimney. It was so efficient that creosote would only accumulate in one very short section of his chimney, and as a result I would have to clean his flue 3 times a year.

My point is that there are seldom always or nevers when it comes to creosote and chimneys. No two set ups are exactly the same and conclusions cannot be made about one system based on results from others.

Now on to chimneys. I was cleaning when the "metlebestos" triple wall chimneys became popular, and even often mandated by code. Their great selling point was safety in a chimney fire, and they were safe......for one fire. After that they were ruined and had to be replaced. A clay lined flue, while not indestructible could handle multiple fires before they became unsafe.

JuliaAnn · #60 01/20/12, 06:14 PM

Does that dog in the background have a bucket stuck on it's head?