the ash snorkel?

XENA I took a look at the link and didn't quite understand how the unit operated other than it appears to be inserted permanently in the clean-out "T" so you have an access port to attach a vacuum to clean the pipe out.
That said I just returned from Lowe's with a brush cleaning kit made for drier vents/gutter downspouts and pellets stove vents. According to the box it even has fittings included to attach a vacuum to clean up the soot as you are brushing the piping.
Seems much more economical. The package come with enough flexible rods to do 12' of pipe and I've got maybe 6 feet in total.

smalltown said:

.....That said I just returned from Lowe's with a brush cleaning kit made for drier vents/gutter downspouts and pellets stove vents. According to the box it even has fittings included to attach a vacuum to clean up the soot as you are brushing the piping.
Seems much more economical. The package come with enough flexible rods to do 12' of pipe and I've got maybe 6 feet in total.

Click to expand...

LintEater. It has been talked about many times on this forum. I bought one a year ago....great for cleaning the pipe. The adapter that connects to the pipe and allows the brush to be run at the same time as the vacuum is great!

Just remember....do NOT reverse the drill while the brush is in the pipe....you take the chance on the rod unscrewing from it, and the brush may end up somewhere you can't get to. Just keep the drill running clockwise while you pull the brush back out.

Oh, and about that "ash snorkel"......it's just weird, and looks like something that belongs on "As seen on TV" ads.....but I don't think even Billy Mays would have hawked it.

Nope not at all tough.

Just use the shop vac with the marked hose and run it down the direct vent pipe to a point just short of the exhaust fan and suckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk the debris all out.

Snowy

I bought a "Sooteater". Works on the same principle as the Linteater. It just won't make the bend at the T to do the horizontal exhaust. But I managed to pull the stove out yesterday and clean that, as best I could.

Is this where the leaf blower would work? Horz exhaust? Do you have to make sure to have something covering the hole so the ash doesn't fly back into the room?

OMG!! He's from New Hampshire......how embarrassing. He spelled background with two words.....

twojrts said:

I bought a "Sooteater". Works on the same principle as the Linteater. It just won't make the bend at the T to do the horizontal exhaust. But I managed to pull the stove out yesterday and clean that, as best I could.

Is this where the leaf blower would work? Horz exhaust? Do you have to make sure to have something covering the hole so the ash doesn't fly back into the room?

Click to expand...

Ahhh....better use Leaf Blower on outside of building...then it's more of a Leaf Vacuum.

OK, can you explain how it is done?

Thanks!

twojrts said:

OK, can you explain how it is done?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Just do a search here on the forum for "leaf blower trick"

It works great!

twojrts said:

OK, can you explain how it is done?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

use the search function and type in "leaf blower" that should help you find the thread with the instructions

edit: i did it for you i was bored

go here https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/45940/ there are pictures and post 26 (i think) has the instructions.. there are even a few videos on there too

macmac thanks for the tip. I would have been a little upset and doing the "highland fling" if I had disconnected the brush in the pipe.

Thanks! I'm sure glad I asked!! My leaf blower does not have the vacuum to it. Will have to look into getting one.

Thaks for the link too! Very helpful!!

smalltown said:

macmac thanks for the tip. I would have been a little upset and doing the "highland fling" if I had disconnected the brush in the pipe.

Click to expand...

Your welcome. Enjoy the great job the LintEater does on the pipe.

I have bought a few of the ash snorkels from Steve for clients with inserts. Its a handy little device. It seems to be made from automotive exhaust parts, but all put together in a box. You simply mount it to the bottom of the clean out T and leave the snorkel end behind the shroud. Your basic homeowner loves the idea of cleaning out the T without pulling the stove forward or breaking any seals. It doesn't replace the seasonal or 2 ton cleaning....just makes it easier to clean out the T.

I was reluctant too, at first. I showed it to a homeowner and he fell in love with the idea. I have install 4 or 5 since.

I will note, if you have an insert and have issued with the combustion fax and convection fan competing for the same air, this is a handy OAK if you fish it down the ash trap from the fireplace.

Here's a drawing of my new Eco 3000 auto that I'm selling......






















I removed the actual photos of the car since I didn't want anyone building one in their garage since it requires certain parts to make it safe... stuff like Toyota gas pedals and floor mats.

Email me for better drawings of the car.

I've reduced the price of the car from $2,000,000 to $39.95 in order for people to try it out.

smwilliamson said:

I have bought a few of the ash snorkels from Steve for clients with inserts. Its a handy little device. It seems to be made from automotive exhaust parts, but all put together in a box. You simply mount it to the bottom of the clean out T and leave the snorkel end behind the shroud. Your basic homeowner loves the idea of cleaning out the T without pulling the stove forward or breaking any seals. It doesn't replace the seasonal or 2 ton cleaning....just makes it easier to clean out the T.

I was reluctant too, at first. I showed it to a homeowner and he fell in love with the idea. I have install 4 or 5 since.

I will note, if you have an insert and have issued with the combustion fax and convection fan competing for the same air, this is a handy OAK if you fish it down the ash trap from the fireplace.

Click to expand...

The guy seems super-paranoid about anyone stealing his idea. Out of curiosity, what are the "unique parts not shown on purpose"? Looks easily built yourself for very low cost. If I package a clothesline rope complete with clothes pins can I patent as a green-alternative clothes dryer and prevent anyone else from making one? LOL :lol:

Mike -

The ash snorkel sounds more like something you would wear to keep the black stuff from entering the nose. I don't like the black things after the stove cleanings! Yuuukkkk!

krooser said:

Here's a drawing of my new Eco 3000 auto that I'm selling......
I REMOVEDmoved the actual photos of the car since I didn't want anyone building one in their garage since it requires certain parts to make it safe... stuff like Toyota gas pedals and floor mats.

Email me for better drawings of the car.

I've reduced the price of the car from $2,000,000 to $39.95 in order for people to try it out.

Click to expand...

What a coincidence, i also have items for sale i wont describe or show pictures of!!
lmao

The real kicker is that if he does have a patent on the device the patent (which is a public document) must be sufficiently detailed that a person skilled in the art (in this case likely metal bending, etc ) can duplicate the device.

In other words the information is all publicly available.

SmokeyTheBear said:

The real kicker is that if he does have a patent on the device the patent (which is a public document) must be sufficiently detailed that a person skilled in the art (in this case likely metal bending, etc ) can duplicate the device.

In other words the information is all publicly available.

Click to expand...

I can tell you that none of the parts which come with the snorkel look like they are manufactured by signal manufacturing. Not much R and D on this except for putting all of the parts together. I asked Steve about the patent and he said it was issued under another name and he holds all of the rights to it. Patents are very specific things which need to spell out exactly how the product is made, its purpose. Whatever. Years ago I made a pedalboard for my guitar effects. I started a company called bestpedalboards.com to make the boards and sell them. I had a model called the roadtripper which was quite unique for its day. All of the effects were mounted to the lid of the case and you dropped it on the stage upside down, unlatched the sides and your board was set up. I tried to patent the design but because I was repurposing "common" parts (parts made by others) the design was not allowed. I do not understand how the snorkel can have a patent given that the parts come from any auto parts store. Perhaps he patented the design or trademarked the name...but maybe that is giving it too much credence.

He charges about $50 for the kit. The parts would run you $30 plus you would have to run around and fetch them. No biggie. It actually works pretty well. He seems like an ok guy too although I'm sure he thinks the black helicopters flying around overhead are trying to copy his designs from his hidden laboratory

Well, a quick Google shows Steve's patents for a baluster cutter frame and a powered circular saw for left and right handed operation - maybe the ash snorkel hasn't made it thru the process yet?

Cute idea for inserts, don't see much use for my free standing stove. I wonder what the percentage of free standing to inserts are sold?

Just got a response from Steve with regards to this thread:

you have installed 4-5 you bought 2, if you are making your own
and selling, you are infringing the patent, just want to let you know, and
these are not automotive parts!

The parts are made by a company under my account with them, Patent is in
place for a purpose!

Hey Steve, you sent me two for free to try out remember?

Second email...

Thanks for the bashing! and,all the patent BS talk on here, let me tell
all your readers it is patented and most of these guys bad talking the
product have left their customers stove not fully cleaned as they have told
me, it works well in places they usually cant get to and just leave those
areas dirty! alot of BS talk on this site!

oh and by the way make your own and sell it, I can make money selling mine
or suing for infringment no big deal!................

Have a good day!