creosote icicles

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Hope everyone has a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
Status
Not open for further replies.
Not to confuse you with the draft blower. It is pictured below, just south of the main door. Its function is to kick in when a thermostat falls below a desired temperature in the main living area. It will get the fire roaring again until the home is heated to the desired temp once again, and again the thermostat will than shut the fan off. Just like a regular furnace operates. But I feel the blower gets the unit way too hot, so I dont use it. But I do have it rigged to where I can simply turn the fan switch on manually. Which I do use when getting a new fire up and running.
 

Attachments

  • [Hearth.com] creosote icicles
    000_0354.webp
    27.1 KB · Views: 333
While I am no expert................My chimney looked exactly like yours does in those pictures and the there was a chimney fire and no I put a liner and no more creosote just fine brwon ash powder.

Line while you have the chance!!

While I was using my chimney like yours and was having the creosote problem I never slept good since I was in concstant fear of a fire at night. Now I feel much safer. The cost of the liner bites but nothing like being faced with the do I call the fire department or hope the fire will stay contained in the chimney. My chimney fire was in the day and thankfully I was there in case we needed to call the FD.

Correct the problem before you burn any more wood. You are at risk with this setup and follow Elk's advice. He is no dummy when it comes to this or the others for that matter.

That looks scary!!
 
Sound like lining this is the only real fix. The Chimney is 30' high from thimble too top, and 8x8 tile lined. Manufacturer calls for 6" Flue. Guess bigger isn't better sometimes aint.... What size ss liners should I look at? If manufacturer calls for 6" flue do you need a 6" liner? Also whats the best value out their?

Oh too answer your questions (?) Elk. The insurance Co was out after we put up the new chimney, and it was inspected by certified folks. Yes papers were sent too the corrisponding persons too. Also had a fire code inspector review the unit after it was installed. Galzanized pipe, and all. Plus the local fire chief (whom burns wood, and coal, plus installed enough chimneys too retire off of.),and myself had a lengthly disussion sitting in front of this bugger... Guess my tax returns gonna buy me a liner... Oh theirs no clean out door on my chimney, just a trap below the thimble I have too reach into clean out...

DavidJinPa
 
Well after first class professional consultation. It seems the main issue is of course the chimney. She's too thick in the hips. Seems I'm too used too the old super under efficent models, and Struggle had it right on the money. I'm gonna have too line it down too a 6" liner. Seems the 8x8 tile is almost twice the volume I need, and it can't put enough heat up the pipe too keep the temp even.. Seems the exaust is hitting a wall (cooling) when it entered the masonary chimney. Guess I'll be investing my tax return on a liner system, and piece of mind hopefully by this weekend.... I'll make sure too let ya's know how it shaped up when I get her under control..

DJ
 
I had a wood furnace years ago, DJ, which also vented into an 8x8 masonry chimney and it generated its share of creosote. I moved and hooked it up to an 8x12 masonry chimney and it produced even more.

You should get a lot less with a stainless steel liner, although you will still get some. The nice thing about stainless, in my opinion, is that the entire length of the liner gets hot quickly and stays that way as long as the furnace is running. It's a lot easier to clean and if you do torch one off, fewer worries.

Nice looking install, by the way.
 
Ok, after reading all the lining questions, and comments in the forum I a few more questions. (Always over thinking things) The stove has 120000 BTU max range. The manufacturer call for a 7" flue, and the stove pipe is 7" coming out of the stove too the thimble. Would a 6" liner, and 30' run of chimney accommodate my Stove? My tile liner is only 8x8 (outside dimen) so I know sizing is a major issue. Still looking into pricing on the liners, but is solid that much better than flex? From what I seen so far flex has a better warranty? Just some questions that popped into my mind, I thought ya'll might be able too help me with... TX
DJ
 
Status
Not open for further replies.