The last two days I had to fire up my stove again as we went from 70 degree heat to 20 degree temps. Last night and tonight I have noticed that when I reload the stove I get a crinkling sound coming from my pipe. It's not like sizzling bacon but almost like you were taking small pieces of wrapping paper and crinkling it. I had thought maybe it was rain hitting the outside stove pipe and sizzling but we have no rain of any kind this evening. I did go outside and looked at my pipe and nothing is glowing and I don't see any embers flying out. I should also note that this is after I have let the stove get up to temps and then I shut the damper. If the damper is open I don't get the sound. My wood is seasoned. It lights immediately and is at least 3 years of age after having been split. Thoughts?
Crinkling sound?
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I believe that's the sound of creosote popping off the inside of your stovepipe. I'm sure others here will know for sure.
Give your pipe a couple of "slaps" with both hands, one on each side... could be just some built up creosote falling off back down into the elbow, or burning off... common to have burning gasses enter the connector pipe especially after reloading.
Could be the pipe expanding due to increased heat as well. Tough to hear from here...
Could be the pipe expanding due to increased heat as well. Tough to hear from here...
griz7674 said:
I think the sound he's describing is one I've heard many times. Its unlike the sound of the pipe expanding/contracting which I also hear which is more like distinct creaks or pops.
Here is how it happened last night.....the fire was nice and hot and as soon as I hit the damper control, the sound started. It is not like creaking and popping....more like a sizzling that last for a few minutes and then stops. If it was wet wood then the sizzling would have started as soon as I put the wood in but it doesn't. It only does it when the damper has been shut. If it was creosote then wouldn't it be doing it with the damper wide open too?
It should be nothing to worry about at all. The only two things we've ever seen cause this is the heating or cooling of the metal and also some very light creosote inside the pipe. Neither of these two are usually any cause for alarm.
Backwoods Savage said:
I 2nd that. Mine's been doing it for years and I don't think its a problem. I've pulled the pipe numerous times to clean it and its always stayed pretty clean except for a light coating of creosote. Mine also does it when an abrupt change of temperature occurs such as when I open the doors during a hot fire.
I have heard the same thing in my insert - I attribute it to metal expanding and contracting with heat changes - more of a pinging than the sound of creosote burning in a pipe. I've actually learned to use it to find the "sweet spot" for air settings when I try to maintain a temp. The sound occurs before the thermometer responds, so I can tell if I've turn the air down to much to maintain a temp by listening to it and watching the flame.
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