First 1 Ton Cleaning - XXV

No question is a dumb question in my book.
Yes. Typically pellet soves burn much cleaner than other type of wood burning appliances and a properly working pellet stove will create very little creosote. Startup and low burns can create the sote but it is usually burned off when the stove reaches higher temps. However prolonged low temp burns and/or poor stove maintenance could result in creosote issues and lead to venting fire.

Seen a wood stove chimney fire first hand. As they say in these parts "Wicked".

Great post love all the pics and detail. Nice set up, beautiful stove, if it were me I would paint the stove pipe black, just me I think it would look better.

I think your right on. Absolutely. It's already on the "honey do" list.

I've had one! Sounds like a rocket taking off. Gets the heart racing a, 911 call fire dept. all better. Helped make the decision to buy a pellet stove easier.

Really great thread! Awesome details and pics. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Parents house - vent outside my bedroom window. Scared the hell outa me (parents too). Ya just like a rocket, flame to match. Turned out ok though, no damage.

"Ahh $hit, That ain't good." lol.

Smokey, What do you make of the hard crusty buildup in the upper portion of the venting?

good post.....wish all my customers went to this level of detail! keep it up!

Fines Box

The fines box is easy to open.


Got the bulk but decided to vac out the pellets and
get a better look.


Looks ok to me.


Next. Before and After - Exhaust Path.

Show them this thread.

lol- dont get me started, my friend.......

Likely ash embedded in the wood burners nightmare or some vent makers apply a liner to their flues that melts and fuses with ash sealing minor flaws in seams.

This is common at the ends of vent runs due to cooler temepratures, a lot of this stuff gets generated when the stove goes through shutdown or bounces between low and high burn mode.

In a short vent system it frequently ends up on the ground or on the critter screen. I remove my critter screen and let it hit the ground during burn season. Because the air flow can get the mess out of the flue before it condenses or precipitates out.

You can also get silicone sealant or lubricant for the joint seals that will fuse with ash.

If it is black consider it a creosote and whatever mixture and brush it out or otherwise get rid of it. Warm water on a old towel works well, you just have to watch out for the mess at the other end (stove end and floor) so you don't ruin things instead of cleaning things.

I see a nice light gray color for most of what was in your flue.

I plan on pulling the term cap off mine this afternoon and removing any ash, I don't want anything to be able to get between me keeping the place warm the next few days because of an unscheduled shut down.

Before and After - Exhaust Path- Final Rear Shot.




Forgot to grab a closeup of this flue area are but you can see it just about clean in the
second pic.


Flue Intake.


While were here...
A before shot of the convection fan. I am really surprised
it's not full of dog hair.


Last shot before the back panels go on.




Next : Regular Maintenance - 2 Week Run.

Yes. Take off the right panel (facing the stove) look for a big wing nut.

Your welcome. This forum helped make it possible.

Said it before Great Post ! Maybe the Mods can put it all together and make a sticky out of it.

I think your dead on with the "mix", fits my burn pattern. Not black though like sote. In any event I don't like it... Easy to remove the pipes and make 'em shiny again. Good tips.

Supposed to have a pretty good cold snap in the coming days. Get 'Er clean, stay warm!

Pretty intense monthly cleaning, about what I plan to do for my end of season cleaning after 5 tons. (I do fines / brush everything inside / quick vacuuming / empty ash monthly)

Not sure if XXV does, but did you get the igniter clean out? Mine usually has a handful of ash debri in there.

Also right above the window on the inside, mine gets a lot of ash build up there.

I was going to do a full annual cleaning guide, but now I don't have too =) Nice job.

Thanks man. I wouldn't object.
Maybe next round I can spend more time and expand this with pics showing more doing , like a how to. My other half wasn't around to help me out. Or maybe she just didn't want to be cold? Hmm...

Thanks!

I did not have any idea what to expect so I wanted to investigate everything. My first ton ever.

You can wait for 5 tons? I do not think I would attempt that. Based on what I discovered there are some things I could probably let go longer. I would be scared to go that long but I am still inexperienced so better safe than sorry for me.

Ignitor pics are coming soon!

I'm at 4 tons now, hoping 5 is enough for the season. Like I said I do a quick monthly, but I don't think I will need to brush flue except annually. Result's will vary, but I can see my exhaust on the side of the house, and know it is clear. Likewise, my tee gets very little ash, so chances are my venting is still fine. You hear about people going 2-3 years without a brushing all the time (They pay for it...)