Wet wood in a log that has been cut for years.
- Thread starter dmccarty
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Varmintmist
Platinum Member
It was in the "dead tree" post.
Here is the link again log link or linking log?
You might want to clean the chimney before you use the stove again. If you just give it a quick brushing it wont hurt. A steady diet of green wood smoldering will build up creosote fast. If you dont have a brush, get some anti creosote additive at a stove shop. I think there are anti creosote logs you can get. If you light the stove and it sounds like a train running through your house, that is a chimney fire. Close all the dampers and choke it off.
Here is the link again log link or linking log?
You might want to clean the chimney before you use the stove again. If you just give it a quick brushing it wont hurt. A steady diet of green wood smoldering will build up creosote fast. If you dont have a brush, get some anti creosote additive at a stove shop. I think there are anti creosote logs you can get. If you light the stove and it sounds like a train running through your house, that is a chimney fire. Close all the dampers and choke it off.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A steady diet of green wood smoldering will build up creosote fast.)</font>
Varmintmist
I didn't recommend the brushing since I "assumed" a couple things.
The diet of green wasn't steady. It sounded like he needed a small batch of "emergency" wood to get past a couple cold spells.
I recommended he apply a lot of air to remove the "smoldering" factor. If there's a decent flame and burn, I didn't think the creosote would build up.
Am I wrong here?
A quick question on the link you provided if you may know the answer. In the "Easy to burn" column, when there's 2 values, is the latter how easy it is to start?
Personally, I'd have to disagree with them somewhat on their values for "Easy to split". Not sure what their criteria was, but for oak in particular, unless you're in a knot or something, I find it very easy to split. It pops right open.
Brian
Varmintmist
I didn't recommend the brushing since I "assumed" a couple things.
The diet of green wasn't steady. It sounded like he needed a small batch of "emergency" wood to get past a couple cold spells.
I recommended he apply a lot of air to remove the "smoldering" factor. If there's a decent flame and burn, I didn't think the creosote would build up.
Am I wrong here?
A quick question on the link you provided if you may know the answer. In the "Easy to burn" column, when there's 2 values, is the latter how easy it is to start?
Personally, I'd have to disagree with them somewhat on their values for "Easy to split". Not sure what their criteria was, but for oak in particular, unless you're in a knot or something, I find it very easy to split. It pops right open.
Brian
Varmintmist
Platinum Member
I assumed that the good/poor thing was burn/start also.
If you dont burn your stove HOT then creosote will attach itself to the chimney. Now, you may have some flame but coals is where the heat is at. Green wood wont make coals. Burning green on and off without ever burning hot is asking for buildup.
If you smolder without enough heat, the only thing you do is put the creosote farther up the flue.
The easiest way to avoid a chimney fire is to burn hot and and clean the chimney.
...................
Chimney fires don't have to happen. Here are some ways to avoid them :
Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations)
Build smaller, hotter fires that bum more completely and produce less smoke
Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas trees; these can spark a chimneyfire
Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures where wood stoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as needed
Have the chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis
chimney fire
................................
They are not kidding when they say it sounds like a train.
I dont agree with all of the easy to split info either. If you compare oak to maple though the maple is way eaiser to split. I can pop either pretty handily, but the oak asks for more oooomph to the maul.
If you dont burn your stove HOT then creosote will attach itself to the chimney. Now, you may have some flame but coals is where the heat is at. Green wood wont make coals. Burning green on and off without ever burning hot is asking for buildup.
If you smolder without enough heat, the only thing you do is put the creosote farther up the flue.
The easiest way to avoid a chimney fire is to burn hot and and clean the chimney.
...................
Chimney fires don't have to happen. Here are some ways to avoid them :
Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations)
Build smaller, hotter fires that bum more completely and produce less smoke
Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas trees; these can spark a chimneyfire
Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures where wood stoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as needed
Have the chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis
chimney fire
................................
They are not kidding when they say it sounds like a train.
I dont agree with all of the easy to split info either. If you compare oak to maple though the maple is way eaiser to split. I can pop either pretty handily, but the oak asks for more oooomph to the maul.
Hmmm,
I wonder how much my catalytic convertors change things.
I run my wood stove 24/7 from when it gets cold until it gets warm (generally October to March or so).
During the day, it runs hot but at night it obviously cools down. I do check my chimney when I can (can't do it when a fire is going if you like your hair, eyebrows and lungs) but my creosote is so minimal that cleaning is a true rarity.
When the catalytic convertors are in use, there is no visible smoke coming out of the chimney (since the convertors burn the smoke). I guess that, coupled with the fact my chimney is internal keeps the flue clean and warm (avoiding condensation).
Never personally had a chimney fire but knew of the train sound. Thought I had one about 10 years back in an open fireplace but didn't hear the train. Ran outside and saw flames coming out the chimney. What happened was I used a bit too much paper to get the fire started (it was a very cold night and I needed to start the draw) but the draw went easy and sucked pieces of paper to the top of the chimney. They got stuck in the cap and started burning. The blockage filled the house with smoke. I quickly got a ladder and knocked the cap off and then all was fine.
I wonder how much my catalytic convertors change things.
I run my wood stove 24/7 from when it gets cold until it gets warm (generally October to March or so).
During the day, it runs hot but at night it obviously cools down. I do check my chimney when I can (can't do it when a fire is going if you like your hair, eyebrows and lungs) but my creosote is so minimal that cleaning is a true rarity.
When the catalytic convertors are in use, there is no visible smoke coming out of the chimney (since the convertors burn the smoke). I guess that, coupled with the fact my chimney is internal keeps the flue clean and warm (avoiding condensation).
Never personally had a chimney fire but knew of the train sound. Thought I had one about 10 years back in an open fireplace but didn't hear the train. Ran outside and saw flames coming out the chimney. What happened was I used a bit too much paper to get the fire started (it was a very cold night and I needed to start the draw) but the draw went easy and sucked pieces of paper to the top of the chimney. They got stuck in the cap and started burning. The blockage filled the house with smoke. I quickly got a ladder and knocked the cap off and then all was fine.
Varmitmist,
Sorry I did not answer earlier but your post was to someone else so it confused me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
We just moved into the new house. The stove has only been used less than 20-30 times and only once or twice with wood that I know was green. I don't think we have a creosote problem.
We don't choke down the fire either. If we do then it does not give out enough heat to warm up the house. We let in as much air as possible. We have a large glass door on our stove and if the stove does not burn hot enough the glass blackens up. We only had that happen when we first started burning in the stove since we where curing the stove paint and figuring out the stove's preference for wood size.
We have been suprised with how little ash is left. We have only had to empty the ashes once so far.
Later,
Dan
Sorry I did not answer earlier but your post was to someone else so it confused me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
We just moved into the new house. The stove has only been used less than 20-30 times and only once or twice with wood that I know was green. I don't think we have a creosote problem.
We don't choke down the fire either. If we do then it does not give out enough heat to warm up the house. We let in as much air as possible. We have a large glass door on our stove and if the stove does not burn hot enough the glass blackens up. We only had that happen when we first started burning in the stove since we where curing the stove paint and figuring out the stove's preference for wood size.
We have been suprised with how little ash is left. We have only had to empty the ashes once so far.
Later,
Dan
Varmintmist
Platinum Member
As long as you burn it hot sometime during the day you should have no problem. You dont need to run 1200 24/7 but you should get it there once a day.
dmccarty, no problem. If its staying clean, then you are burning hot enough. Doesnt mean that you dont brush the chimney, just that there is not a major creosote buildup.
I remember 2 chimney fires at home growing up. When they go for real, you hear the woosh. It is a real uncomortable feeling. One fire was christmas day, an uncle tossed a LOT of wraping paper in the fireplace. The other time I was home alone, fired her up and all of a sudden WHOOOOOOOOO smoke was backing into the house and flame was coming from the chimney. Neighbor said he saw it, so it had to be 20 feet over the roof. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
My father was afraid of heights, I learned to clean chimneys at a fairly young age /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Main thing is be careful. Burning green wood cold it the fastest way to creosote the flue, but creosote will come if you burn wood. Wet, dry, green, cured, hard, soft, all of them will produce creosote period. Clean your chimney. It really isnt hard.
dmccarty, no problem. If its staying clean, then you are burning hot enough. Doesnt mean that you dont brush the chimney, just that there is not a major creosote buildup.
I remember 2 chimney fires at home growing up. When they go for real, you hear the woosh. It is a real uncomortable feeling. One fire was christmas day, an uncle tossed a LOT of wraping paper in the fireplace. The other time I was home alone, fired her up and all of a sudden WHOOOOOOOOO smoke was backing into the house and flame was coming from the chimney. Neighbor said he saw it, so it had to be 20 feet over the roof. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
My father was afraid of heights, I learned to clean chimneys at a fairly young age /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Main thing is be careful. Burning green wood cold it the fastest way to creosote the flue, but creosote will come if you burn wood. Wet, dry, green, cured, hard, soft, all of them will produce creosote period. Clean your chimney. It really isnt hard.
Varmitmist,
So you clean your own chimney? I assume all I would need would be the brushes and linkages. Do you have a ball park number on how much that costs? I know it would depend on chimney length and width.
Our old house had a prefab fireplace. I had a sweep come in a couple of times to clean it, check it out and fix the firebrick. We did not use the fireplace that much since the heat just went up the chimney. In the new house the fireplace is designed to provide a good portion of our heat. I don't mind cleaning the new chimney myself. I don't have to worry about the stove compared to the old house's fireplace.
My father in law starts chimney fires on purpose. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I have seen him do it. Its his way of "cleaning" the chimney. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif He does it frequently to keep the creosote from building up to much. He throws a lighted bit of newspaper up the chimney and there she goes. I think he is nuts since over time its has to effect the flue. He has a massive stone fireplace that they use to heat their house. Its masonary all the way out the roof. No metal like mine.
I wonder which is safer, double wall stainless steel or masonary chimney?
Later,
Dan
So you clean your own chimney? I assume all I would need would be the brushes and linkages. Do you have a ball park number on how much that costs? I know it would depend on chimney length and width.
Our old house had a prefab fireplace. I had a sweep come in a couple of times to clean it, check it out and fix the firebrick. We did not use the fireplace that much since the heat just went up the chimney. In the new house the fireplace is designed to provide a good portion of our heat. I don't mind cleaning the new chimney myself. I don't have to worry about the stove compared to the old house's fireplace.
My father in law starts chimney fires on purpose. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I have seen him do it. Its his way of "cleaning" the chimney. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif He does it frequently to keep the creosote from building up to much. He throws a lighted bit of newspaper up the chimney and there she goes. I think he is nuts since over time its has to effect the flue. He has a massive stone fireplace that they use to heat their house. Its masonary all the way out the roof. No metal like mine.
I wonder which is safer, double wall stainless steel or masonary chimney?
Later,
Dan
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( So you clean your own chimney? I assume all I would need would be the brushes and linkages. Do you have a ball park number on how much that costs? I know it would depend on chimney length and width.)</font>
Dan,
I clean my own also. You can get a chimney brush most anywhere for about $20. The way I do it, connect a rope to the top end long enough for the full chimney height and put a weight on the bottom end (I just use a brick, connected up close to the brush). Slide it in from the top and the weight will pull the brush to the bottom. Don't drop it as you don't want the brick hitting whatever's at the bottom. Brush the full length a few times.
Do not have a fire or hot coals in your stove while doing this!
Make sure the damper is open at the bottom so everything falls in the stove/fireplace. Keep the doors and air intakes closed so the stuff doesn't go all over the house.
When you're done brushing, empty everything out of the fire box.
Brian
Dan,
I clean my own also. You can get a chimney brush most anywhere for about $20. The way I do it, connect a rope to the top end long enough for the full chimney height and put a weight on the bottom end (I just use a brick, connected up close to the brush). Slide it in from the top and the weight will pull the brush to the bottom. Don't drop it as you don't want the brick hitting whatever's at the bottom. Brush the full length a few times.
Do not have a fire or hot coals in your stove while doing this!
Make sure the damper is open at the bottom so everything falls in the stove/fireplace. Keep the doors and air intakes closed so the stuff doesn't go all over the house.
When you're done brushing, empty everything out of the fire box.
Brian
Varmintmist
Platinum Member
I cleaned the chimney at the house I grew up in, and I clean the chimney at my fathers house twice a year now. They are both clay liners. Metal might be different, but I bet not by much.
I moved my chimney away from the house /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Now I just watch from the kitchen if I get a fire in the chimney. (outdoor woodburner)
What you need is a brush that will fit your chimney, a rope, and the fiberglass rods that you buy to fit your brush.
http://www.northlineexpress.com/chimney-brushes.asp
A fast yahoo search found this. The brush rods are the 5th pic down. They make life eaiser.
If you have a access door on the outside of the chimney you got it made.
Get a buddy, take the rope, brush and the rods up on the roof. Drop one end of the rope down the chimney, have your buddy grab it at the bottom from the acess panel. Tie it off the the loop on the brush. Stuff the brush loop end down into the chimney and screw on a rod. Yell PULL, when he pulls it down about 2 feet, screw on another rod. Keep doing that until the brush bottoms out. then its your turn. Pull it up and let him pull it down 4 or 5 times, that will take off the creosote buildup. Take all of the creosote out fron the access panel.
If you have a fireplace or no access door, then you have to clean from inside the house. MESSY. If you have a fireplace cover the hole with a sheet before you start. Depending on how much your wife likes you, you might want to ask for a old one. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Thats about it.
If you cant get a brush a burlap sack with chains in it tied to a rope works. Not real well, and you can booger up a clay flue, but when you are poor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Plus its REAL heavy. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I moved my chimney away from the house /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Now I just watch from the kitchen if I get a fire in the chimney. (outdoor woodburner)
What you need is a brush that will fit your chimney, a rope, and the fiberglass rods that you buy to fit your brush.
http://www.northlineexpress.com/chimney-brushes.asp
A fast yahoo search found this. The brush rods are the 5th pic down. They make life eaiser.
If you have a access door on the outside of the chimney you got it made.
Get a buddy, take the rope, brush and the rods up on the roof. Drop one end of the rope down the chimney, have your buddy grab it at the bottom from the acess panel. Tie it off the the loop on the brush. Stuff the brush loop end down into the chimney and screw on a rod. Yell PULL, when he pulls it down about 2 feet, screw on another rod. Keep doing that until the brush bottoms out. then its your turn. Pull it up and let him pull it down 4 or 5 times, that will take off the creosote buildup. Take all of the creosote out fron the access panel.
If you have a fireplace or no access door, then you have to clean from inside the house. MESSY. If you have a fireplace cover the hole with a sheet before you start. Depending on how much your wife likes you, you might want to ask for a old one. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Thats about it.
If you cant get a brush a burlap sack with chains in it tied to a rope works. Not real well, and you can booger up a clay flue, but when you are poor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Plus its REAL heavy. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
