Best setup/design to allow easy access & cleaning (rigid pipe + retrofit masonry)

[MattStryfe]

For those who have difficult or impossible to clean RIGID pipe setups, whether it be because of the stove model or the fact it's an insert, how do you go about yearly/quarterly maintenance and cleaning?

For instance, a buck91 is nearly impossible, even with the damper/flange open, to clean bottom up. And because it's installed in 'insert mode', I don't have a t-snout.

Full disclosure, I haven't fashioned a block off plate yet and it's mostly due to making this decision. Because if i have to pull the stove each cleaning, i need the block off plate to be (at a max) semi-perm, right?

The way i see it i have 2 maybe 3 options.

1. Clean from top down
2. Install a telescopic pipe to make pulling the stove easier
3. Hire professional to do cleanings (how can i set this up in a way where it's most easiest for them)

My question is... What is the best practice/full proof way to not make me hate my life each time I want to clean the pipe. It needs to be easy and safe otherwise I'm worried my spite will grow over time. I have all the safety equipment to do the roof adventures but it's just such a PITA and honestly, I don't like being up there.

I did add heavy duty caster wheels to the stove so moving it isn't the end of the world, but at age 41 and the weight of the stove at 620lb, the math is only going to check out for so long. =)

Any feedback is appreciated. thanks!
Matt

 

[begreen]

Can you go up the bypass with a sooteater?

Bottom up with a soot eater is how I clean our flue. The baffle comes out and the sooteater goes in and then up.

 

[MattStryfe]

I know those things are flexible but i figured that angle (especially because of how deep the buck91 is) would be too much for it. I've only used mine in fairly shallow insert. I suppose i can just try it out before I NEED to use it though, right?

 

[kborndale]

Do you have the white or black rods for your sooteater? The white rods are more flexible.

 

[bholler]

I know those things are flexible but i figured that angle (especially because of how deep the buck91 is) would be too much for it. I've only used mine in fairly shallow insert. I suppose i can just try it out before I NEED to use it though, right?

I clean through buck bypasses all the time with my professional rotary system.