Yes it's only on the metal. Bricks and cat guard are all cleanso yes, it is normal for firebox creosote to accumulate on those single wall steel parts. Not on bricks or the cat chamber though.
Yes it's only on the metal. Bricks and cat guard are all cleanso yes, it is normal for firebox creosote to accumulate on those single wall steel parts. Not on bricks or the cat chamber though.
Steel walls will get covered in this goo, but as long as your cat is active, chimney should stay clean. I say "should", because there have been a few isolated incidents of folks with clogged chimney caps (I think Highbeam was one).
Reloading:
1. Turn t'stat to high, burn coals down to an acceptable level.
2. Open bypass. Turn off blower.
3. Open door, load wood.
4. If wood isn't already caught by the time you're done loading (it should be if it was dry), close door but don't latch.
5. Latch door when wood is caught.
6. Wait until wood is charred and/or cat probe indicates active. This should take 5 - 10 minutes, never more.
7. Close bypass, and run on high 20 - 30 minutes. This is for the purpose of burning out the aforementioned creosote in the firebox and window.
8. Turn down to desired setting, and enjoy the long burn.
Isn't the validity of those arbitrary colored zones entirely dependent on flue height and probe location? Someone with a 15 foot chimney wouldn't have the same minimum probe temperature requirement as someone with a 30 foot chimney, if the goal is a common minimum cap temperature.I have a condar flue probe meter and now follow the colored zones on that dial to keep the flue temps above the minimum safe temperature line.
Isn't the validity of those arbitrary colored zones entirely dependent on flue height and probe location? Someone with a 15 foot chimney wouldn't have the same minimum probe temperature requirement as someone with a 30 foot chimney, if the goal is a common minimum cap temperature.
I run at least one stove 24/7 from mid-October thru at least March, without shutting it down even once. The second stove runs 24/7 mid-November thru March, and shorter fires overnights in October and early October.Just a little update. It's down to 22* right now and my first floor is a cozy 68 and my upstairs where the bedrooms are is warmer than that. Are you guys running yours stoves 24/7 through the heating season?
I'm a special case, but most figure 3 - 4 cords per year per stove, if they're running 24/7.Wow how many cords do you go through?