Creosote Remover

[mtarbert]

Greetings,
Does anyone know if I am doing any damage to my Fisher (non cat) pre epa stove by using powdered creosote on the coals every-other day?
Whenever I get done with a can of snuff I fill the empty can with remover and chuck it into the stove (metal lid down) and let it cook. I have seen a marked reduction of crap on the glass when the stove is damped down.
Mike

 

[struggle]

I am not sure if you are talking about the creosote remover from home improvment stores?

I had constant creosote problems with my set up and started using that stuff several times and then I had a chimney fire. I am guessing that it worked to some extent as it might have alowed the heavy creosote to break down and actully made the chimney more prone to a fire. That is my gut feeling anyway.

I think it does work to some extent but if you are having a constant creosote problem as I was you will not get the solution fixed with using an additive.

I relined my chimney a week ago and went to a EPA stove and I have not noticed any problems like I used to have. Time will tell when I do a one month check of the liner (on the first week).

 

[mmichaud]

For what it is worth... I have used the powder creosote remover maybe about twice a month. I noticed in the early fall I did not burn real hot fires so toward the top of my chimney I got a little of the glazed creosote. After using the stuff for a month I went up and brushed out the chimney and the glazed stuff turned to powder and the stainless liner was visible. In no way does it replace having to sweep your chimney. It seems to help with the cleaning process by loosening up the creosote.

Mike

 

[mtarbert]

The stuff I am using is mainly Tri-sodium-phosphate TSP...and I am burning hot fires. I checked the chimney in the fall before I started using the stove and it was clear (clean).
Mike

 

[homebrewz]

TSP has had many uses as a cleaner. I remember it being used for the cleaning of some brewing equipment, so I googled it. If you use it to clean your chimney, you might want to look into it because it can corrode some metals (although another article suggests it is OK to use on stainless steel).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

FWIW, I use a liquid creosote inhibitor in a spray bottle. A few sprays on some of the wood going into each fire and it reduces the tars into a flaky substance. It makes it quite easy to brush out.