1st Chimney cleaning ...

Well this is not what we expected. Only 2 weeks of burning in the new TN20. 5 start ups because the day temps got over 50. Up to the clean out T all nice loose brown stuff. From there on up solid black glaze. A thin coating all the way to the cap. The cap was covered with it also . Brown drippings on the storm collar and the roof. My husband cleaned it with a plastic chimney brush kit and a hand drill but very little of that glaze came of. I hand brushed the cap.

I hoped that the cedar burning might have helped that because it burns fairly hot. A lot of slower burning during the day and about half loaded with oak during the night probably didn't help.
The bad thing is that these temps are pretty common here during the winter. Most of you call that shoulder season, we call it winter. Mid 20s to mid 30s at night and upper 40s to mid 50s during the day. Not really cold but enough to appreciate that warm fire.

 

I'm hoping to be able to do my first chimney sweeping soon as well. Not sure what to expect...

 

Don't be completely surprised or spooked! Burning wood isn't the cleanest business. Mostly burning low and slow in perpetual S.S. I get some dripping/discoloration on my roof sometimes also. Those mesh screens are many times discarded/replaced because they plug with what you are seeing. Often. The black inside your pipe is more common than some would admit.

Seems that you had already checked you fuel with a meter or not? What are you averaging for moisture content? The low and slow burn rates will give me similar looking results occasionally with less than optimal fuel. Dry dry fuel makes a HUGE diff. in somebodies lingo Sorry. Had to add that for a funny. Clean it the best you can (regularly) and go is my procedure. Surely there are other opinions headed your way!

And about this.
Mid 20s to mid 30s at night and upper 40s to mid 50s during the day. Not really cold but enough to appreciate that warm fire.

Gods country!

 

Hi Marvin, let us know and send pics. Good luck.

 

Good morning wildwest. I think the wood is pretty dry. Everything i've used so far has been under 15%. Most of it is around 11-12 after re-splitting and checking. Surely that is dry enough, isn't it?
Been splitting some more rounds and put into the wood shed. They sat outside in rounds for about 18 months and should have another year until needed or so i hope That varied from around 12 to 16 on the cedar and around 19-21 on the oak.

 

Thanks moresnow, that makes me feel better. And yes the wood is pretty dry, mostly 11-12% the worst is up to 15%. The stove often doesn't want to draw and gets a slow start. A homesteader on youtube bought a second chimney top so it's quick and easy to deal with in bad weather. He cleans the dirty one when he has time and it's ready to go when needed.

 

Exactly what I do.

Your stove not drawing correctly is not helping your pipe health. Can you add a section to diagnose if it helps? Even a temp. single wall will function. Believe I would.

 

I would say that is about average and would not be worried. You can take the top off and wash it and put it back on. Now if you had some serious build up or blockage I would be concerned. Just check it when you can.

 

I've been burning cat stove for a year .. 12 ounces of stuff maybe.. Fly ash greyish. In 2 weeks that seems like a lot.. 12% mc wood is very dry.. PLEASE keep checking often..

Pics do not look bad.

 

If the wood is dry like she says there is really nothing that can be done. I think when it's colder and she burns hotter it will not build up as quickly. I'm in NC and the weather is similar, I get some build up and just clean it at regular intervals.

 

Adding pipe might help. Only then we can't get to the top any longer and would have to take that extra section 0ff every time we want to get to the cap or clean the pipe. Right it is nice and handy.

 

I am at that height also here. I have a 2' section to install but I need a handier helper than my wife on rung #3 of the ladder

Thankfully my current setup performs fine. It would be nice to try and fine tune it some more! One of these days when I have help around.

 

Exactly what I have to do to clean the cap and top portion of pipe.

 

Me too.

 

I think i'll try to get through this winter as is but with an extra cap. Slow starts are a pain but i'm here and in no hurry. We'll just have to check the chimney frequently..

Do the pipes looses after a while? I have the Dura Tech twist lock no bands.

 

Nope.

 

Yeah, what he said, again ...