Thought I would share a little insight through hard lessons.
Running a 1978 Vigilant and have had an issue with creosote buildup. Cleaning the chimney every 6 weeks or so.
This last cleaning I began thinking a bit more of why I would get this much buildup. Grew up burning and never remember this problem. One cleaning a year. I was seeing 450-600 degrees on the stove top, and somewhere near 205-210 on the pipe. Took the following actions:
1- Removed the plate at the top of the baffles, vacuumed and then blew out the baffles.
2- Burn small amount of wood with damper open until they are breaking down to coals to allow more heat up the chimney (33 foot run)
3- Load up the stove and let burn in open position for a little longer
4- Shut down the damper
I am now seeing pipe temps of 300 or so and there seems to be much better draft through the stove. Took me a long time to get there, but I am hoping this does the trick. I will know when I pull the pipe off in a couple of weeks to inspect the flue.
Running a 1978 Vigilant and have had an issue with creosote buildup. Cleaning the chimney every 6 weeks or so.
This last cleaning I began thinking a bit more of why I would get this much buildup. Grew up burning and never remember this problem. One cleaning a year. I was seeing 450-600 degrees on the stove top, and somewhere near 205-210 on the pipe. Took the following actions:
1- Removed the plate at the top of the baffles, vacuumed and then blew out the baffles.
2- Burn small amount of wood with damper open until they are breaking down to coals to allow more heat up the chimney (33 foot run)
3- Load up the stove and let burn in open position for a little longer
4- Shut down the damper
I am now seeing pipe temps of 300 or so and there seems to be much better draft through the stove. Took me a long time to get there, but I am hoping this does the trick. I will know when I pull the pipe off in a couple of weeks to inspect the flue.