Pellet vent vacuum cleanout using iron pipe?

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Don2222

Minister of Fire
Feb 1, 2010
9,110
Salem NH

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It appeared that Don was thinking that anyone could make one instead of buying one. I just was letting him know that someone did just that last year.
Yes, but does it work? I can see the advantage of not having to pull the cap off the tee to remove the ash accumulated, but can you vac it out through that little pipe?
 
You can make one but you can't sell it, there is a patent on that device, also from a listing standpoint unless it is part of the vent system provided by the vent maker as part of a tested and listed system or was tested and listed, you have a issue with insurance and code compliance.
 
You can make one but you can't sell it, there is a patent on that device, also from a listing standpoint unless it is part of the vent system provided by the vent maker as part of a tested and listed system or was tested and listed, you have a issue with insurance and code compliance.

Good Point Smokey.

I can just make one for myself.
 
Just remember use of it is different than making one. Yours hasn't been tested or listed by itself or as part of a vent makers system. Insurance companies can bite quite hard.
 
I think smoke show has one on his, What say yee mr. smoke?

Smoke show is outside right now,.. but yes he made one identical ,...
 
That cap fits poorly, IMO, can't imagine having that on there with more weight. I have the plain cap and had to install extra rope gasket and screws.....
 
I made one for my stove when I put it in, I didn't know anybody else thought of it. Used a 3/4 street el with a conduit connector to hold it in place. Silicone to seal. Siliconed the cap in place and put 3 small sheet metal screws to hold it forever. My old ash vac hose fits over it and the other end oh the hose fits into my Ridig shop vac hose. Works super.
 
I bought one and love it. It was a good snug fit and I put a screw in it also. Every other week I hook the vac up and give a tap up and down the vent pipe (not sure if that does anything but doesn't hurt). After cleaning the stove then, I also leave the vac on when I first fire the stove and catch anything the exhaust blower might blow out. I do this for maybe 5 seconds then pull the hose and cap it back off.
 
i have been hesitant to buy one because my venting is excel and the cleanout w/ iron pipe is made by a different manufacturer.

i would love to get confirmation from someone who has used one of these with excel 4"venting.
if i knew it would fit properly, i would order one today.
i have read minor horror stories about mismatched pieces of venting even when the manufacture is the same for all pieces.

i actually get very little accumulation of ash in the vertical section.
i would use this more when i used my linteater out side from up on the ladder for the vertical section.
it would make that whole process a lot cleaner for my eyes and hair. lol
 
If someone post's detailed pictures of one, Maybe we can use it to our advantage? We should be able to adapt this to any cap with some investigating.

The NPT fittings I see are also available in Stainless Steel(I think the Selkirks are steel or iron). I would say that would be a better non corosive alternitive(specially for the multifuel rated venting). Thats what I'll be looking at. I just need to figure out how its held on the cap. Shhhhhh. Don't tell!
 
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I bought one and love it. It was a good snug fit and I put a screw in it also. Every other week I hook the vac up and give a tap up and down the vent pipe (not sure if that does anything but doesn't hurt). After cleaning the stove then, I also leave the vac on when I first fire the stove and catch anything the exhaust blower might blow out. I do this for maybe 5 seconds then pull the hose and cap it back off.

I have not tried mine yet, but I did add a couple extra screws and silicone for good measure. After vacuuming yours out, do you use any sealant on the threads before you screw the cap back on? Was wondering if it's necessary or not? Can't imagine it leaking at all if the cap is on tightly.
 
Nope...just thread the cap on hand tight and no problem. Hopefully I'll be installing the Quad this weekend and I'll be changing my venting slightly. I'll take a picture of it then.
 
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Are you suppose to block off the part of the vent with he endcap when using this?

For it looks like it would not get very good suction unless you did so.
 
I believe It is only meant to clean up the ash that is at the bottom of the clean out tee.

Normally you would use a brush to get the stuff into the clean out tee. I'd do that with the vacuum attached and running. There is plenty of suction at that point for doing a decent job that way.
 
Nope...just thread the cap on hand tight and no problem. Hopefully I'll be installing the Quad this weekend and I'll be changing my venting slightly. I'll take a picture of it then.

Cool. Thanks for the info!
 
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