Creosote reducing logs in a wood stove

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Do they work? I noticed a Dura Flame type log at Wally World that supposedly helps eliminate creosote in stove pipes. Just wondering what your thoughts are regarding them. I burn wood at my hunting cabin. I don't regularly clean the pipes. Are these things helpful?

 

[RNeumann]

Ive never used the logs. But this stuff seems to make the chimney easier to clean....maybe a bit less sticky. Does it replace cleaning or extend cleaning intervals? Not in my mind. But it is worth the $16 a year.

Rutland Products 2 lb Creosote Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00120NNCY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_ocQpCbWGZCV0J

 

[tcreeley]

I used to hear that burning potato peels reduced creosote - never saw a difference.
I've heard that you need a hot burn every day to flake off the creosote. The real key is to use completely seasoned/dry wood - and limit the smolder - long slow burns that creates the conditions for creosote. - But I like the slow burns!
I burn maple, cherry, ash, birch, oak. - Nothing that hasn't sat for less than 2 years.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

TV folks here did a test and they failed, no surprise to me...

How about burning DRY wood, so you don't have creosote in the first place!!

SR

 

[4570Man]

TV folks here did a test and they failed, no surprise to me...

How about burning DRY wood, so you don't have creosote in the first place!!

SR

We must not understand the concept of how hard a little planning ahead is. The fools responsible for burning wood cut the day before are responsible for the tightening EPA restrictions on wood stoves. I can’t say I’m sad. I wouldn’t want to live by someone bellowing a cloud of smoke non stop. Even the old not very efficient stoves will burn pretty clean with dry wood.

 

[buickanddeere]

Burn dry hardwood.
Do not fill the firebox and then cut the air supply off trying to reduce the number of times the stove much be stoked. Less wood and open the air inlet for a bright clear flame without smoke.

 

[tcreeley]

The old non efficient stoves burned very clean because you couldn't turn them down with all of the leaks. They burned hot and fast - no creosote.
When they started making air tight stoves, then you started getting creosote.
Their secret to dealing with that was to call for a stove with a higher burn temp - at one time you could even have a catalytic element for your stove to burn up the gases. I tried it and it was garbage in my stove.
I burn 2 year old wood. I can still get creosote when I set it to hold the fire after loading for 10-12 hours. I won't bother with wood that isn't that old- because I get more heat from the seasoned wood. (3 year old wood- and I am starting to lose heat and wood density. I store my wood outside on 2x4's, covered with a tarp against the snow. I may have a week's worth in the house before it goes in the stove. I clean my chimney top a couple of times a winter to keep the draft going.

Until this year when we had a heat pump installed - we only heated with wood. Been about 40 years now. - Even had one of those old oval sheet metal stoves that Aubuchons used to sell. You put sand in to protect the bottom from the hot coals. It was easy to get it glowing cherry! - A worrisome sight at 11 pm!

 

[4570Man]

Burn dry hardwood.
Do not fill the firebox and then cut the air supply off trying to reduce the number of times the stove much be stoked. Less wood and open the air inlet for a bright clear flame without smoke.

I agree it burns cleaner with the damper open but that’s not a practical option unless you want to get up every hour at night and don’t have a job.

 

[shooterdon]

I use them. One every two months. The last time I had the chimney cleaned the guy said there was very little creosote. But I also burn seasoned wood. Mostly maple, birch, oak, ash, and some popple.

For $15 every two months if they help, it is worth it. If they don’t, $45 a year is not significant.

 

[Aquamoose]

Agreed on the seasoned wood. I have a rare forced air wood furnace in my shop that burns sufficiently hot & throughly that there’s essentially no smoke at all coming from the triple walled chimney.