I had the stove shop come out to do my annual sweep for my new insert. This past winter was my first and I burned 9 face cords (about 3 full cords) through it of mixed hardwoods that as 18% +/-. The wood had sat 18 months. There was a learning curve for me as it was my first cat stove, forums here have been big help.
He took off the faceplate, cleaned out the blowers (which I had done a couple times). He cleaned the glass (done that often) and proceeded to use his brush from my living room after putting down some drop cloths, etc. and hooking up his vac. He had what I've researched to be a wohler viper, he said "lets see how well you used your insert". He was a really nice guy and always looking to point out hints or make sure I knew what he was doing, etc. He pulled his brush all the way through which looked remarkably simple and remarked "wow, whatever you're doing keep doing it". Very little soot and its not glazed". I then snapped the pic below. He then showed me how to use a telescoping mirror and flashlight to shine through my cat to make sure its clean, then vacuumed out my insert and off he went. never went on my roof. In fairness it was just installed, but it was about $140 for that. I'm considering buying a brush to do my own cleanings, and have them come maybe once every 3-4 years or something. Man that wohler is pricey like $395. Anything else that style, non drill based and simple hand push pull that's cheaper?
Heres the pic of the soot, please give opinions. The insert had not been vacuumed out yet, it had some ash from my last fire in there that was grey and all the black stuff is obviously soot from the chimney.
He took off the faceplate, cleaned out the blowers (which I had done a couple times). He cleaned the glass (done that often) and proceeded to use his brush from my living room after putting down some drop cloths, etc. and hooking up his vac. He had what I've researched to be a wohler viper, he said "lets see how well you used your insert". He was a really nice guy and always looking to point out hints or make sure I knew what he was doing, etc. He pulled his brush all the way through which looked remarkably simple and remarked "wow, whatever you're doing keep doing it". Very little soot and its not glazed". I then snapped the pic below. He then showed me how to use a telescoping mirror and flashlight to shine through my cat to make sure its clean, then vacuumed out my insert and off he went. never went on my roof. In fairness it was just installed, but it was about $140 for that. I'm considering buying a brush to do my own cleanings, and have them come maybe once every 3-4 years or something. Man that wohler is pricey like $395. Anything else that style, non drill based and simple hand push pull that's cheaper?
Heres the pic of the soot, please give opinions. The insert had not been vacuumed out yet, it had some ash from my last fire in there that was grey and all the black stuff is obviously soot from the chimney.
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