So, we've had two half seasons of burning, the past two winters, on our new Kuma Aberdeen stove. It's been AWESOME! Temp's are climbing and we're thinking about cleaning. Nope, we've never cleaned it, or any other stove pipe. We've cleaned a few chimneys, masonry, but never a pipe. It's 6". There are so many cleaning brush kits on Amazon. Any recommendations on a good brand, kit? Our flue is straight up, about 15' from the top of the stove. Of course, we have to clean the stove too, and the Cat. It'll be our first time and a learning process for us. Any guidance is greatly appreciated!
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First time cleaning. What brush kit should I buy, there's so many?
- Thread starter zephyr0512
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Sooteater brand is popular here. You just cut the “brush” to about half to and inch wider than the pipe and connect to drill. Easy peasy.
I’ve found the brush wears down after about 10 sweeps, but you can order replacement.
I’ve found the brush wears down after about 10 sweeps, but you can order replacement.
First thing I do before sweeping is have a look down the chimney and evaluate how much buildup I need to clean, that will give you an idea on how clean you’re burning.
Do you plan on sweeping from the top down or from the bottom up? Bottom up then the Sooteater or something similar. Top down then a stiff plastic(not wire) brush with 4’ fibreglass rods. Good time to check YouTube for ideas and obstacles.
Check your owners manual for instructions, I’d guess the bypass door would be open to permit soot to drop into the firebox.
Plan on either removing the black stove pipe or lifting the pipe up enough to clean up the soot that might be sitting above the firebox. Have a good look at the soot/creosote pile, talc like dust or shiney black flakes?
Remove all the ash check the firebricks for cracks and any other components for warping or cracks. I save some ash to put back in the firebox to make the next fire easier to start and a better burn, personal choice.
Check door and window gaskets, check CAT for abnormalities. Again your owners manual will have your stove specific instructions.
I can’t recommend any name brands to use, not enough experience with all the products offered on Amazon. I like to buy local where possible so thats what I end up with.
Don’t fall off the roof, the landing hurts. Don’t clean the chimney just after the wife has dusted.
It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it!
Do you plan on sweeping from the top down or from the bottom up? Bottom up then the Sooteater or something similar. Top down then a stiff plastic(not wire) brush with 4’ fibreglass rods. Good time to check YouTube for ideas and obstacles.
Check your owners manual for instructions, I’d guess the bypass door would be open to permit soot to drop into the firebox.
Plan on either removing the black stove pipe or lifting the pipe up enough to clean up the soot that might be sitting above the firebox. Have a good look at the soot/creosote pile, talc like dust or shiney black flakes?
Remove all the ash check the firebricks for cracks and any other components for warping or cracks. I save some ash to put back in the firebox to make the next fire easier to start and a better burn, personal choice.
Check door and window gaskets, check CAT for abnormalities. Again your owners manual will have your stove specific instructions.
I can’t recommend any name brands to use, not enough experience with all the products offered on Amazon. I like to buy local where possible so thats what I end up with.
Don’t fall off the roof, the landing hurts. Don’t clean the chimney just after the wife has dusted.
It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it!
I have a knock off soot eater with the white rod from Amazon.
I sweep twice per year and it has worked great
I sweep twice per year and it has worked great
Thanks for the guidance! I will definitely proceed with the step by step, and be aware not to fall off the roof. I’ll check this brand, Sooteater. Thanks!
Good info above. I would add that if you use a stiff brush, definitely make sure that it is not too wide for the liner itself. I once used a stiff plastic brush from the top down and the brush itself got stuck about a foot down the liner. At the time, my liner was the common light wall type and thought I might have damaged it. I did not but it sure was close. This was a huge PITA that you should avoid. This will not happen with a sooteater type system with the brush head trimmed to reasonable level.
EbS-P
Minister of Fire
I have a nylon bristle 6” brush and fiberglass rods. I have easy roof access.
I Pull the baffles put cardboard boxes in stoves close doors. I can be done with both in 35 minutes cleaned up.
If I had to bottom up it would be a soot eater.
I Pull the baffles put cardboard boxes in stoves close doors. I can be done with both in 35 minutes cleaned up.
If I had to bottom up it would be a soot eater.
Hold on, why is nobody asking why someone from Florida is burning a wood stove? And if you really are, how does palm tree wood and mangrove stems burn? Enquiring minds want to know.
Next thing you know, we'll have longtime member Poindexter from Fairbanks explaining which tanning oils he uses to tan on the beaches of the North Slope of Alaska.
Next thing you know, we'll have longtime member Poindexter from Fairbanks explaining which tanning oils he uses to tan on the beaches of the North Slope of Alaska.
I guess being used to 90 outside for 8 months a year (and choosing to live there) makes one want 90 inside the other 4 months...
Found my previous post, Oct ‘ 24, with the brand that works very well for my Class A chimney. The brush was a Madholly. The one I replaced, also 6 inch, was a bit larger in diameter and maybe stiffer. I think it was a better recognized brand but don’t have a clear enough recollection to claim which. The first one was a bear to work especially at chest height. The newer one did a better job as I could work it much more vigorously.
We ordered the Sooeater, from Amazon. Not knowing anything about brush brands and how they preform, just based from this thread, we thought it best to start with the most recommended brand. No, we have not yet cleaned the stove or chimney. It’s four months since we last used it, and we won’t use it again until around October. We have time to get it done. Thanks for checking in!
We really do use our stove here in Florida, as it gets pretty darn cold here between Oct thru February. Winter before last, we had 8-9” of snow, temps in the 20’s, and winter that went from around 1 Oct thru March. We enjoyed very much, our stove and the snow! No, we do not burn trash in our stove. We use seasoned oak only. With our stove, a Kuma, the efficiency is so good that we only burned about 1 and a half cord during that unusual winter storm. Last winter we burned right at one cord.
When we lived in Anchorage AK, we used sunscreen in the summer, and on some winter days, as the sun can be intense, especially up near Fairbanks. Worse than sunburn, is windburns. I’ve sunbathed many times in Denali national park, with snow still on the ground in May.
I just want to add since I don't see it mentioned above that if your sooteater wears down after a few sweeps, it can be "refilled" with heavy gauge string trimmer cord from the hardware store. Works just the same.
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