Advice for cleaning a new to us chimney...

[tod osier]

First post here... I'd like to get set up to clean our chimney on this new to us stove. We have owned the house a couple years, but have not wintered in it or used the stove much because I haven't cleaned it. I'm unfamiliar with a setup like this. Tips, tricks, tools suggested, critique of what is there - I'll take anything you have (I do clean our masonry chimney at our other house). This is in Wyoming so we will be burning dry softwood (mostly lodgepole pine). I did experience a chimney fire as a teen home alone in a masonry chimney with an insert, so I'm familiar with that aspect of burning wood.

 

[begreen]

That's a Pacific Energy Alderlea T5. It's a great stove. Cleaning is different than a lot of other stoves due to its unique baffle/secondary air system. There is a pin at the rear of the firebox that holds the baffle captive. This is removed, then the baffle is lifted off of the secondary air supply tube at the back while pulling it forward to clear the secondary feed tube.. The baffle then gets lifted on the left side and moved leftward until the right side clears the support rail and can be lowered to remove the baffle. Once the baffle is out, stuff a rag in the secondary tube before proceeding further. You don't want soot going down it. Now the flue exit is unobstructed and easy to run a Sooteater up for cleaning.

Replacement is the reverse after the soot and sote from the cleaned flue is cleared out. Remove the rag, put a fresh baffle gasket to seal around the secondary tube, and install the baffle, taking care to gently push the side insulation pieces back against the baffle once the baffle is seated on the secondary tube.

Note that the baffle is heavier than it looks. And it can take a little jiggling of the baffle to get it square so that the pin goes back in.

Moving this thread to the Pacific Energy sub-forum where there is a lot more info on these stoves. Note that the firebox on this stove is the same as the PE Super, Spectrum, and Super 27. And welcome!

 

[begreen]

Here's a video on the baffle removal in a larger T6. It's the same process and design, just larger.

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[tod osier]

That's a Pacific Energy Alderlea T5. It's a great stove. Cleaning is different than a lot of other stoves due to its unique baffle/secondary air system. There is a pin at the rear of the firebox that holds the baffle captive. This is removed, then the baffle is lifted off of the secondary air supply tube at the back while pulling it forward to clear the secondary feed tube.. The baffle then gets lifted on the left side and moved leftward until the right side clears the support rail and can be lowered to remove the baffle. Once the baffle is out, stuff a rag in the secondary tube before proceeding further. You don't want soot going down it. Now the flue exit is unobstructed and easy to run a Sooteater up for cleaning.

Replacement is the reverse after the soot and sote from the cleaned flue is cleared out. Remove the rag, put a fresh baffle gasket to seal around the secondary tube, and install the baffle, taking care to gently push the side insulation pieces back against the baffle once the baffle is seated on the secondary tube.

Note that the baffle is heavier than it looks. And it can take a little jiggling of the baffle to get it square so that the pin goes back in.

Moving this thread to the Pacific Energy sub-forum where there is a lot more info on these stoves. Note that the firebox on this stove is the same as the PE Super, Spectrum, and Super 27. And welcome!

Many thanks! I'll get the things needed and get to it.

I wasn't thinking you would clean from the bottom up, since I've only used threaded fiberglass rods from the top. I watched a sooteater video and it all makes sense now.

 

[Enplater]

I have the same stove and same type of chimney. I have used the soot eater for years and like it. I’ve only broke 2 rods in that time. With my setup, I disconnect the double wall connector pipe and clean that separately from the chimney pipe.
Maybe use a soot eater then have a chimney sweep inspect your work.

 

[tod osier]

I have the same stove and same type of chimney. I have used the soot eater for years and like it. I’ve only broke 2 rods in that time. With my setup, I disconnect the double wall connector pipe and clean that separately from the chimney pipe.
Maybe use a soot eater then have a chimney sweep inspect your work.

Thanks, cleaned it as described above the other day after having to wait for materials to come in. Chimney was cleaner than clean, so I guess that the previous owner cleaned it and never burnt it after cleaning (he died and we bought from his kids). Stove has seen some use judging from the firebrick , so I’ll read up on what to look for as a stove ages.

Again, thanks all!

 

[Enplater]

I don’t burn 24/7 but I do as much as possible. I usually clean the chimney and connector pipes in January at some point when it’s a nice, warmer day. Then I clean the chimney, connector pipes and stove interior in late spring, probably late May. That’s it! These stoves burn pretty clean, I believe I could skip the January cleaning and be fine cleaning once a year but I’m crazy about keeping it clean.

As for tips on this stove, I start with a top down fire. It’s more initial work but easier to deal with when lighting. You need to use seasoned wood or you won’t have good results. I also have a cheap amazon blower, I usually use it when I get the fire a little too hot or when it’s really old out, it just blows up the back jacket and comes out the top front and sides. I also use a pipe “key” damper to control the draft when temps get colder. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Check your rear clearance to the walls. It looks like you might be a bit close!

 

[begreen]

Check your rear clearance to the walls. It looks like you might be a bit close!

Might be the camera angle, but it looks ok. The T5 has a tight corner clearance of 4". It's not very radiant at the back corners.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Hopefully it is! I’d rather have the OP check it and be sure than post some time in the future that something bad happened!