Wood stove chimney

[Markcl]

I’ve been burning a lot of wood this winter and my chimney has plugged with what looks like sheets of black glass, what is wrong and how do I fix it?

 

[EastenerWesterner]

That’s creosote build up.
Stop all burning until you clean if out, otherwise you will have a chimney fire.

 

[Markcl]

That doesn’t tell me why, or how to prevent it! It was cleaned 3 months ago.

 

[M0del_31]

Burning fresh cut green/wet softwood tends to build creosote up faster than burning seasoned (dry) hardwoods.

 

[Markcl]

Burning fresh cut green/wet softwood tends to build creosote up faster than burning seasoned (dry) hardwoods.

Thanks, It was dry, 90% ash 10% box elder

 

[EastenerWesterner]

Also burning the stove hotter will help prevent creosote build up. But the wood type/seasoning is the most important

 

[MNwr786]

Ash builds up creosote fairly quick. One thing that helps is an insulated chimney pipe, one of those dual layer ones. I usually never adjust the damper, but every week I give it a turn. When I hear the creosote building up on it, I clean everything. It usually gets done every 6 to 8 weeks when I burn ash. In fact, mine needs cleaning tomorrow.

Edit: that creosote is flammable and is the primary cause of chimney fires. I would recommend not letting it build up more than half an inch before cleaning it.

 

[Markcl]

Thanks, It was dry, 90% ash 10% box elder

This is a new EPA clean burning stove, this may be the problem!

 

[EastenerWesterner]

This was a pretty good explanation on ash.
https://www.hunker.com/13402156/how-long-should-ash-wood-season-for-before-being-burnedBox elder is similar but should be seasoned longer.

 

[MNwr786]

This is a new EPA clean burning stove, this may be the problem!

YES!!! those are the problem. The gasses get cooled too much and the chimney acts like a condenser with barely enough updraft to get the smoke out.

 

[Danil54grl]

I know we have build up right now that is going to have to get cleaned out soon. Since we have 2 elbows, it only makes it harder to clean out. So if you put in a wood stove, make sure it is easily cleaned straight up! You have to be on our roof to clean out (and I really HATE heights) parts of it and the other down in the bedroom banging on it to fall off. Sometimes you need to take apart and put back together. That is my world now that Hunny is getting older in life. If anyone knows a simpler way, please let me know. We try to burn oak mainly, but also pecan and hackberry.

 

[EastenerWesterner]

I know we have build up right now that is going to have to get cleaned out soon. Since we have 2 elbows, it only makes it harder to clean out. So if you put in a wood stove, make sure it is easily cleaned straight up! You have to be on our roof to clean out (and I really HATE heights) parts of it and the other down in the bedroom banging on it to fall off. Sometimes you need to take apart and put back together. That is my world now that Hunny is getting older in life. If anyone knows a simpler way, please let me know. We try to burn oak mainly, but also pecan and hackberry.

45s rather than 90s elbows make it easier to get a brush down, But take more space.
Most of mine have been fireplace conversions to hearth stoves or inserts. Did have one pellet stove that was pretty sweet.

 

[Arcticdude]

Burn only dry firewood, hardwood is best if you have it in your area. If you're getting a lot of creosote build up leave the damper open so it'll burn hot. We burn only dry doug fir and larch. There's no hardwood where we live. I clean our chimney out every fall. I've got 2 elbows on my stove pipe and use a cleaning brush with a flexible extension on the last section.

 

[Schattentarn]

This is a new EPA clean burning stove, this may be the problem!

Bingo, you found the problem. That thing is full of smog equipment. It could be one or more things. When I buy a stove, I either rip them if within reach or I buy one of the bolt together cheapy stoves which lets me unbolt them, rip everything out, and then reassemble it. I have done this twice. An EPA stove is worthless as a heater and just plugs up.

Open the damper as stated above. The dryer the wood the better but depending on wood species some buildup will just happen. Also, you an try one of those cleaning logs which burn and clean out the system. It is a lot easier than brushing but you need to do it every month or every other month in the winter.

 

[DrHenley]

We are blessed with an abundance of oaks, which may possibly be the best firewood there is. From what I understand, ash is one of the worst.

 

[Dave2001]

YES!!! those are the problem. The gasses get cooled too much and the chimney acts like a condenser with barely enough updraft to get the smoke out.

Those EPA stoves have caused lots of house fires, they dont allow for a fast enough air flow so that cresote dont collect!!, have burned down many houses!!! They require LOTS more maintenance!!

 

[Schattentarn]

And EPA stoves are poor machines to heat the home.

 

[Mountain Dragon]

But hey, at least you save the world with it.... low emissions and if you burn your house down with it no emissions anymore after....

Notice: More coffee reduces sarcastics. Gone for coffee now.

 

[Markcl]

Ok, can a good wood burner be bought in USA? Brand name?

 

[EastenerWesterner]

I haven't bought one in quite a while. Lopi and Vermont Castings used to be considered top of the line many moons ago.
Cast iron is preferable to steel. It holds heat better
Since you purchase wood, you may want to consider a Pellet stove. Pour bag into hopper, some have a battery backup hookups to run the auger. But they require triple wall chimney, but hardly needs cleaning.