swept today - wow!

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Andy S.

Feeling the Heat
Oct 28, 2013
405
Southeastern, PA
Had my chimney swept today. I wanted another pair of eyes to see my setup and wanted to see it done before taking over. Got a little more than a gallon of fine soot and a couple of golf ball sized chunks of creosote. He said It was much better than he usually sees so I was pleased.

The big deal is the output of the insert! It is a drastic increase in output and makes me think that maybe I was more clogged than the sweep said. I am amazed at The difference.
 
So your saying the draft is much better now? I guess that was money well spent, and just goes to show you never know. Good for you having it checked.
 
Yes. It is a noticeable difference. I'm surprised and very pleased.
 
If you had a gallon all built up in one short area it could have been blocked quite a bit.
Cap was clear ?
 
So now that youve seen the sweep do it and will be taking over and doing it yourself how often do you think you will want to do it? When was the last sweep done? I like the freedom of doing it myself and applaud you for taking the reigns. Im a cheap sob and look at the $125 it would cost me as cutting into my bottom line but also think that its a great idea to watch the pros do it first and pick up on their tricks. It will be nice for you to be able to have the flexibility to take care of it yourself whenever your spidey sense starts tingling!
 
How many cords have you burnt since it was swept last, and how many cords will you burn before you sweep it again?
 
If you had a gallon all built up in one short area it could have been blocked quite a bit.
Cap was clear ?
There was definitely more at the top and the gallon doesn't include the stuff that was expelled out of the cap. It was done from the bottom with a Viper system from Wohler. I'm sure the cap was the most fouled area.I priced it and it is much more than I want to spend. I'm considering a Sooteater.

how often do you think you will want to do it? When was the last sweep done?
No Less than once a year now that I'm ahead on wood. If a warm weekend opportunity comes during winter I'll take advantage of it. BTW... your $125 would be a great deal here. I paid $145 here is SE PA.

How many cords have you burnt since it was swept last, and how many cords will you burn before you sweep it again?
About 3.5 - 4 I'd guess. Since my usage estimates are rough I think I'll go more by performance than usage. I was completely happy with performance down to about 30* but I was unable to get more than the stove room up to temp from a cold start below 30. Last night was 24* and there was no problem. It is enough of a difference to notice now that I've seen a dry wood comparison between obstructed and clear.
 
When it's completely clean.. you'll get 'laminar flow' if it's all nice and smooth. WAY more air can flow. As soon as the surface gets rough, it will be turbulent flow, not as much.

JP
 
I wonder if it's that much for the small insert at this point in the burning season.
It includes last season, VF. My estimate for this season to date is two cords.
 
I have a 3.0 cu foot insert. I have put 4 face cords of about 16" wood through (4x8 metal rack I'm using), by my math that's about 1.33 cords but what is the general rule for sweeping - depending on how much guys burn do they typically do a couple sweeps during burn season?

Also the cresol remover powder that you toss in like weekly - does it really work?
 
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I cleaned mine about 2-3 weeks ago for the first time in 2 years and got about a cup of powder.
 
I forgot to say last year we went threw about 4 cord and about 1 1/2 before the clean.
 
What brush?????????????????
 
Had my chimney swept today. I wanted another pair of eyes to see my setup and wanted to see it done before taking over. Got a little more than a gallon of fine soot and a couple of golf ball sized chunks of creosote. He said It was much better than he usually sees so I was pleased.

The big deal is the output of the insert! It is a drastic increase in output and makes me think that maybe I was more clogged than the sweep said. I am amazed at The difference.

This was my results (last year) after burning around 4 cord:
 
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Andy,

I'm not showing off I'm just trying to show my results of running my stove properly and using seasoned wood. BTW I know my wood is seasoned because I am the one who seasoned it. My goal is to try to stay 3 yrs. ahead on my wood needs - the only limitation to that goal is storage space. :)
 
I'm not showing off
That was a classic mistake by me and I regret if I gave offense. I was kidding and wish now that I hadn't. Your results are very impressive and something I hope I'm able to duplicate now that I'm ahead and have a year of running the stove under my belt. Cheers!
 
Nah. She's showing off. ;lol;lol
 
That was a classic mistake by me and I regret if I gave offense. I was kidding and wish now that I hadn't. Your results are very impressive and something I hope I'm able to duplicate now that I'm ahead and have a year of running the stove under my belt. Cheers!

No offense taken, Andy. Just trying to show how good it can get once you get the basics down pat. :)
 
Not showin' - just proud - hmmmmmm.... does 'proud' = 'showin'? :) :)

Admit it. That is a five gallon Pyrex measuring cup. >>
 
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