In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Cleaned my flue today (first-timer)

Discussion in 'Modern EPA Stoves and Fireplaces' started by Brad38, Oct 18, 2016.

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  1. Brad38

    Brad38

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    Hi everyone,

    Stepped away from social media for awhile, but things are slowing down now, and thought I'd post. Decided to clean my flue today. Had a great first season with the Woodstock IS, and burned seasoned oak and poplar. I was really curious to see how much build-up I accumulated, and it honestly was not bad. Black, fluffy build-up, was easily removed. Since top-down cleaning was not an option, I removed the double-wall pipe and used a sooteater tool from the bottom up. Even a newb like me figured it out. I borrowed advice from one of the sooteater Amazon reviews, and rigged a milk jug up to the pipe with a shop vac to suck the soot out. Barely had any soot around me when finished, very clean. Worked like a charm! I'm ready, bring on the cold!
    :dex:

    Before pic looking up my flue:
    image.jpeg

    Before pic of my removed double-wall pipe:
    image.jpeg

    Cleaning the stove:
    image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    image.jpeg

    A few cups or so:
    image.jpeg

    All clean!

    image.jpeg
     
    Brad38, Oct 18, 2016
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  2. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Nice work!
     
    Horkn, Oct 18, 2016
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  3. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    :thumbs:
     
    wildwest, Oct 18, 2016
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  4. Brad38

    Brad38

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    Thanks! I wasn't sure using a tool with weedeater string on the end would really knock that stuff out, but it made easy work of it. Good piece of mind knowing you have clean pipe going into the burning season. Now if we can only get rid of the 80- deg weather here in Indiana!
     
    Brad38, Oct 19, 2016
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  5. Kimberly

    Kimberly

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    I wanted a SootEater but may have to wait on buying one.
     
    Kimberly, Oct 19, 2016
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  6. Brad38

    Brad38

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    I noticed Menards has it right now for around $42. Cheapest I've seen.
     
    Brad38, Oct 19, 2016
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  7. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Well ,that thing did a really nice job.
    I thought about getting one but, I clean mine from top down with a brush, straight shot, the messy part is taking the tubes and bricks out of the top of stove to clean, I take all that out before I do the chimney
     
    HDRock, Oct 19, 2016
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  8. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

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    Nice job Brad. The milk jug looked like it worked great keeping the soot under control. Great before and after pics too. Like they say a pic is worth a thousand words.
    I have a sooter eater too.
     
    Mag Craft, Oct 19, 2016
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  9. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Before fall cleaning, Chimney pic from the roof

    20140912_122428.jpg
     
    HDRock, Oct 19, 2016
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  10. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

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    Alright HDRock where is the after pic.
     
    Mag Craft, Oct 19, 2016
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  11. HDRock

    HDRock

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    I never take after pics it's clean as a whistle then.
    Last year
    IMG_20130213_114825.jpg


    IMG_20130213_114837.jpg
     
    HDRock, Oct 19, 2016
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  12. Kimberly

    Kimberly

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    I brought a few pieces of the chimney from Menards. For me, I find that by the time I pay the handling fee I am back up in cost again. I will take a look see, thanks.
     
    Kimberly, Oct 19, 2016
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  13. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Thanks for the tip:)

    Plus 11% rebate right now too. :yes:
     
    Horkn, Oct 19, 2016
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  14. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Nice job. I like the way you did it. Every year and how we burn can change depending on the weather. I always cleaned in the fall, and did another cleaning usually in early January, just for added peace of mind. With the cleaning, along with the time changes, it was always good to check the batteries in the smoke detectors and co detectors.
     
    Well Seasoned, Oct 19, 2016
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  15. HDRock

    HDRock

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    First year I had my EPA stove I cleaned the chimney Midwinter, since then I just do it once in the fall.
    My old stove I cleaned the chimney twice in the winter
     
    HDRock, Oct 19, 2016
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  16. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Great tip!
     
    brenndatomu, Oct 19, 2016
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  17. Brad38

    Brad38

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    Wish I would have come up with it. Basically thick tent poles with weedeater string on the end. :doh:
     
    Brad38, Oct 19, 2016
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  18. Brad38

    Brad38

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    No problem! I always like passing on a good deal Horkn
     
    Brad38, Oct 19, 2016
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  19. Brad38

    Brad38

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    Thanks Well Seasoned . And good advice on the detectors.
     
    Brad38, Oct 19, 2016
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  20. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Yep, good money-making idea, I guess the pros even use them now
     
    HDRock, Oct 19, 2016
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