Longer Chimney Run = Greater Danger of Creosote Buildup?

[kjayhawk]

Last week we began burning our newly-installed Napoleon 1400, and are lovin' every minute of it!

We placed the stove in our finished walk-out basement, which required a 23 foot stainless chimney run up the outside of our home.

My questions: Is this considered a long run? And does a longer run increase the danger of creosote buildup?

This is my first post here at the hearth super-site, and am grateful for the vast knowledge available here. As most new members point out, the information shared here is invaluable! Thanks to all for their willingness to share. Although I grew up with an Earth Stove in our home (had a few scary moments with chimney fires) ... and used one back in the 90's, I am being forced to quickly re-learn the wood burning life.

BTW, we are very pleased with the Napoleon 1400. Our temperatures in Southern Illinois (just north of St. Louis) are dropping into the mid-teens tonight, and the coolest part of our 3,600 square foot home (upper level, opposite end of our L-shaped cape cod) is 67*! This little wood-burner can really put out the heat!

 

[begreen]

Welcome kj. Your pipe is insulated and isn't extraordinarily tall. Burn dry wood only to avoid creosote issues and try to burn at least one hot fire a day and you should be ok. Have the flue checked or check it yourself once a month until you are comfortable with how the system is working.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Tall chimney does not cause any creosote problems but will give you a better draft. You should be just fine. Now go put another log on the fire. It's cold today.

 

[Bill]

23' outside chimney might cool down and condense more creosote than a shorter chimney, keep an eye on it.

 

[jadm]

Welcome kj. Your pipe is insulated and isn't extraordinarily tall. Burn dry wood only to avoid creosote issues and try to burn at least one hot fire a day and you should be ok. Have the flue checked or check it yourself once a month until you are comfortable with how the system is working.

Please give 'one hot fire' a number. Like how many degrees on stovetop is considered hot?

I read here where people get no creosote. I have mine swept 2x a season and I do get the powdery stuff. I burn seasoned hard wood and temps. are usually at 500* or 600* until coaling stage and then it gradually drops. I reload in the 300's and will get smoke during that brief time. I have to give it more air during the coaling process so that the coals burn down more efficiently.

 

[Pagey]

Welcome kj. Your pipe is insulated and isn't extraordinarily tall. Burn dry wood only to avoid creosote issues and try to burn at least one hot fire a day and you should be ok. Have the flue checked or check it yourself once a month until you are comfortable with how the system is working.

Please give 'one hot fire' a number. Like how many degrees on stovetop is considered hot?

I read here where people get no creosote. I have mine swept 2x a season and I do get the powdery stuff. I burn seasoned hard wood and temps. are usually at 500* or 600* until coaling stage and then it gradually drops. I reload in the 300's and will get smoke during that brief time. I have to give it more air during the coaling process so that the coals burn down more efficiently.

Good post/question. That's pretty much my routine right there, and I too am curious as to what constitutes a "hot fire" for this purpose.

 

[oconnor]

Hot fire for me gives me 700-750 stovetop temp on my Jotul Kennebec insert - measuring surface temp next to the flue outlet.

Lots of flame, small kindling, lots of air - my goal is to heat my flue, so that the stove can then run well with the air turned down. Warm flue = good draft = good clean burn with dry wood.

 

[kjayhawk]

Thanks for all the help, guys.

I, too, was wondering how hot a "hot" fire is. I'm burning our Napoleon 1400 at least several hours (4-5) at 500* - 600* stove top temp (with blower on).

We've received about an inch of snow, and today I noticed that there are dark spots in the snow at the base of our chimney. It is from the top of the stack ... not the clean-out.

Normal or abnormal?

 

[kjayhawk]

Tall chimney does not cause any creosote problems but will give you a better draft. You should be just fine. Now go put another log on the fire. It's cold today.

Yes, Backwoods, I am getting an unbelievable draft ... almost too much. The first two nights, the fire about ran away from me ... even with the damper completely closed. A few hours of 700* - 750* produced a bit of "paint burn off," and warmed the house up rather quickly!

I've learned to let the stove cool down a bit before loading it to the gills for the overnight burn.

And it's cold here, too!