How much creosote buildup is a concern?
The park where our cabin is now requires yearly fireplace / stove inspections. Guy came out, signed both of our stoves off as OK, but said there was some creosote buildup and suggested I clean it out, after using one of those creosote buster packets to break it up. We have two stoves, one an old inefficient unlisted stove, and also an antique coal stove that works very well. The coal stove actually had more creosote, not too surprising as I often make a quick fire with wood scraps to take off the chill when I don't want to stoke it with coal for the long haul.
The wood stove has been in the cabin for many years, but I replaced the stovepipe and chimney about 20 years ago. The coal stove I installed from scratch about 15 years ago. Neither has been cleaned since (both are used mainly for occasional winter weekends, and maybe a week in the shoulder season when we pack up and go home).
Anyway, the actual buildup was well under 1/16", more like 1/32 or less. I used the packets as directed and then cleaned the pipes with one of those spinning brushes that attaches to a drill (Vevor brand, from Amazon). It worked very well and the pipes are very clean now. It was easy and no mess, as I was able to do it from the top with the stoves closed up. At most, about a cup of stuff came out of each one.
Is that normal? I always pictured creosote as a massive thick buildup; is what I had normal, or an amount to be concerned with?
The park where our cabin is now requires yearly fireplace / stove inspections. Guy came out, signed both of our stoves off as OK, but said there was some creosote buildup and suggested I clean it out, after using one of those creosote buster packets to break it up. We have two stoves, one an old inefficient unlisted stove, and also an antique coal stove that works very well. The coal stove actually had more creosote, not too surprising as I often make a quick fire with wood scraps to take off the chill when I don't want to stoke it with coal for the long haul.
The wood stove has been in the cabin for many years, but I replaced the stovepipe and chimney about 20 years ago. The coal stove I installed from scratch about 15 years ago. Neither has been cleaned since (both are used mainly for occasional winter weekends, and maybe a week in the shoulder season when we pack up and go home).
Anyway, the actual buildup was well under 1/16", more like 1/32 or less. I used the packets as directed and then cleaned the pipes with one of those spinning brushes that attaches to a drill (Vevor brand, from Amazon). It worked very well and the pipes are very clean now. It was easy and no mess, as I was able to do it from the top with the stoves closed up. At most, about a cup of stuff came out of each one.
Is that normal? I always pictured creosote as a massive thick buildup; is what I had normal, or an amount to be concerned with?
