Dirty chimney

[Beer Belly]

Since day one (12+ years), this has been my result after sweeping the chimney. I've been reading where guys have had a cup full of ash after a season, what am I doing wrong. We fire the stove to 600 *F, throttle back to 500*F to maybe 400*F and call it a night. Am I burning to low a temp ?...... house at 80*F hen we throttle it back.

 

[Beer Belly]

Exterior chimney, about 15-18 feet.

 

[blacktail]

Exterior chimney probably has a lot to do with it. When I clean the liner in my 15' exterior chimney it looks the same. My liner is uninsulated and with my small stove and mild climate, I'm often starting a fire twice a day.
Exterior chimney plus multiple restarts are my excuses.

 

[blacktail]

Or maybe you burn softwoods. Because everyone knows conifers will gunk up your chimney! [emoji12]

 

[brenndatomu]

My liner is uninsulated and with my small stove and mild climate, I'm often starting a fire twice a day.

This is what I was wondering...how many cold starts, and what type of chimney (or liner, and is it insulated?)
Beyond that, I would wonder if your wood is fully dry? What kind of wood do you have in your stacks generally?

 

[begreen]

A cool chimney is going to condense sote more quickly. Softwood vs hardwood has little to do with this as long as the wood burned is fully seasoned.

What volume of wood was burned since the last cleaning? Is the exterior chimney insulated with a 6" liner?

 

[Beer Belly]

I burn mostly Ash and Maple seasoned at least 1 1/2 year. MM showing 15-18 %. Uninsulated Liner, usually start the stove in the morning, then last load 10pm before we turn in..