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+--- Thread: How to Reduce Creosote Buildup in the Stovepipe? (/Thread-How-to-Reduce-Creosote-Buildup-in-the-Stovepipe)
How to Reduce Creosote Buildup in the Stovepipe? - Pomoly Dan - 04-20-2022
What is creosote?
Creosote buildup in stovepipe is a tar-like substance that can form in the flue of an appliance that burns solid fuel products such as wood or coal. It is formed when hot gas reaches the top of the chimney and interacts with the cool outside air.
Causes of creosote formation
1. The presence of creosote in the stovepipe is related to the type of wood-burning in the woodstove. Softwoods such as pine, fir, and cedar can generate extremely high heat when burned, which can quickly increase the temperature of the chimney. At the same time, this type of cork will also burn out quickly. Softwoods such as fir, pine, and cedar produce more smoke and therefore more creosote.
2. Burning of wet wood or wood with too much grease can lead to an insufficient increase in creosote due to firewood burning. As the moisture content of the firewood increases, so does the amount of creosote produced.
3. The stovepipe is improperly maintained. How often you use your chimney determines how often you clean your stovepipes, cleaning your stovepipe regularly can prevent creosote from building up in your furnace tubes.
4. Creosote is caused by the burning of unseasoned wood. Burning pine does not cause more creosote buildup if seasoned correctly.
Measures to reduce creosote buildup
1. Regular chimney cleaning can reduce creosote buildup. If you use wood stoves and chimneys a lot in winter, you should clean your stove pipes more often. If it is being used daily, then you should clean the furnace tubes once a week.
2. When you use a wood stove, try to use dry wood like oak maple, and birch; don't overheat the wood stove, turn on the damper as much as possible.
3. Don't use wood that is moist or has too much oil; avoid burning softwoods that produce more soot, such as pine, fir, and cedar.
4. Sprinkle a daily dose of Anti-Creo-Soot spray or powder (chimneysaver.com) on the wood you're burning, which contains catalysts that break down creosote.
5. Carefully burn the potato skins inside a wood stove, the potato skins burn with high energy and help push the soot and creosote out the chimney.
When you clean the stovepipe, you can use a brush to clean it; you can use a creosote remover, which penetrates the thick, tar-like creosote and turns it into a loose, powdery, Ashes that don't stick can be easily brushed off. Check the directions for use before using creosote remover.