We all know the OWB's make enough creosote to sell the stuff. But what's the best way to burn it out of the firebox? I have heard cardboard will burn really hot really fast to burn it out. But I'm a little concerned about this, so I thought I'd ask. I have been trying to let the water temps run down a bit and letting it burn flat out for add along as the aquastat will allow. It does ok but, Is there any other way to burn it out safely?
Cardboard to burn out creosote? OWB
- Thread starter warno
- Start date
-
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.
- Status
maple1
Minister of Fire
I think I would just let it go. It should reach a point that it burns a bit off now & again. My firebox has a steady coating of creosote on it, doesn't get any thicker. Seems to get to a certoin point, then the top layer keeps flaking off. Don't think it's a very thick layer at all.
Don't know how much you're talking about though. A hot cardboard fire would likely burn it off - but it would be a very smokey hot affair. And not the good kind of smokey hot...
Don't know how much you're talking about though. A hot cardboard fire would likely burn it off - but it would be a very smokey hot affair. And not the good kind of smokey hot...
adamant
Member
- Sep 30, 2007
- 58
warno, post a picture of the accumulation please also let us know what you did about your situation please. i am with maple1
I haven't done anything about it yet but I'll try to remember to get a pic when I put in the night load. I have been trying to let it burn down a little more then let it burn hot to catch up on temp. The coating inside gets crusty and flakes off but I was just wondering if there's anyway to really get it cooking.
maple1
Minister of Fire
Hard to tell from the pics, but I don't think that looks a whole lot different than mine.
You could try the cardboard thing, I don't think you'd hurt much. Especially if you do it in a cool boiler that had more room to absorb heat. The biggest risk I would anticipate is having someone call the fire department on you when they see all the smoke.
You could try the cardboard thing, I don't think you'd hurt much. Especially if you do it in a cool boiler that had more room to absorb heat. The biggest risk I would anticipate is having someone call the fire department on you when they see all the smoke.
I didn't try the cardboard but I have been letting the boiler cool down about 20-30 degrees when I do my weekly cleaning, then fire it up and let run full on to dry up the creosote in the fire box some what. I can scrap most of it off with my coal rake after that.
I'm wondering though, next year when I start batch burning to heat storage will it dry up the creosote that I'm building this year?
I'm wondering though, next year when I start batch burning to heat storage will it dry up the creosote that I'm building this year?
StihlKicking
Feeling the Heat
Lol
Its a homemade boiler with a horizontal heat exchanger.
Here's a link:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/im-building-a-homemade-boiler.145689/#post-1963042
Its a homemade boiler with a horizontal heat exchanger.
Here's a link:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/im-building-a-homemade-boiler.145689/#post-1963042
StihlKicking
Feeling the Heat
would that dry up my creosote?
This thread reminds me of a few years ago when I burned cardboard in my old stove out back to show people what happens in the pipe.
Its a cold water cooled wall in a smoky burn chamber, its gonna condense smoke pretty much no matter what you burn.
- Status
Similar threads
