How do I clean behind BK inner heat shields?

[BrianN]

I am doing my summer clean out of my BK King. After cleaning out the ash, I am trying to get the big chunks of creosote and ash out from behind the inner heat shields. I don't think that they are removable, and impossible to get any type of vacuum attachment back there.
Any suggestions?

 

[ratsrepus]

this is a new one for me. I thought when you looked inside of one, that was it, no other places to hide.

 

[ratsrepus]

Except for the top where the bypass thing a ma jig is. that can be cleaned out and the linkage lubed by taking the stove pipe apart

 

[Highbeam]

It is not easy to clean behind the welded in inner heat shields above the bricks but below the cat chamber. I doubt many people ever remove the accumulation of dry flakes of creosote junk back there. I know I don’t do it regularly.

The method is to stick a thin rubber hose into your air compressor blow gun nozzle. Then blast the chips out from behind the shields and into the firebox.

Luckily, the debris should be loose back there. You just need to move it out.

 

[rdust]

I’ve pushed it out with a metal type coat hanger before.(never again). I can’t imagine blowing air like highbeam, that has to make a mess! Maybe it won’t be too bad if I’m running a shop vac st the same time.

 

[Highbeam]

I’ve pushed it out with a metal type coat hanger before.(never again). I can’t imagine blowing air like highbeam, that has to make a mess! Maybe it won’t be too bad if I’m running a shop vac st the same time.

Little puffs. Poof poof poof. Regulate the pressure down to just move it out. Seriously though, like twice in the last 6 years.

 

[BrianN]

I tried a coat hanger. That was a bit of a challenge. I may have to try the air, while I have the vacuum in there. But the chunks I did get out, are pretty big.
I'm sure if all that was removed, it would make air flow better, making the stove burn hotter, and more efficient.

 

[Highbeam]

I tried a coat hanger. That was a bit of a challenge. I may have to try the air, while I have the vacuum in there. But the chunks I did get out, are pretty big.
I'm sure if all that was removed, it would make air flow better, making the stove burn hotter, and more efficient.

I only clean the debris to reduce the chances of corrosion. Air doesn’t really flow in this area, the shields act to reduce heat transfer almost like firebricks.

 

[Ashful]

I don’t understand why folks want to clean out their firebox to the point of being able to have a picnic in there. You’re just going to get it dirty again in the fall.

I shovel mine out, swap any broken bricks, and close the door. Done.

 

[edyit]

i dont clean it spotless but i could see wanting to get the built up creosote off it is corrosive

 

[spudman99]

I don’t understand why folks want to clean out their firebox to the point of being able to have a picnic in there. You’re just going to get it dirty again in the fall.

I shovel mine out, swap any broken bricks, and close the door. Done.

Its like draining the sediment from the hot water heater. Don't have to do it, but if so the unit may last longer and perform better. Most don't but it never hurts. Similar to cleaning the coils in the refrigerator, cant hurt to do it but most don't. My lawnmower cuts nicer when I clean out the clippings from the deck - I rarely do it but I know it helps.

 

[Ashful]

Its like draining the sediment from the hot water heater. Don't have to do it, but if so the unit may last longer and perform better. Most don't but it never hurts. Similar to cleaning the coils in the refrigerator, cant hurt to do it but most don't. My lawnmower cuts nicer when I clean out the clippings from the deck - I rarely do it but I know it helps.

Analogies are tough, as they don’t always align with the situation being discussed. I do clean the underside of my mower deck as part of regular maintenance, and it seems to me that should help slow it’s decay. Cleaning the coils of your refrigerator will help efficiency, and extend the life of the compressor by reducing run time and temperature. But, I’ll argue that one hot fire at the end of each season will do more to reduce any corrosion caused by remaining creosote, than any vacuum. Maybe I’m wrong, but I haven’t seen any data that proves otherwise.

 

[BrianN]

I don't clean it spotless. I do however, do a good cleaning when I am not burning for a few days.
That includes scooping out all ash in the box, removing the pipe and cleaning the inside above the cat, cleaning all chimney pipe.
As I was cleaning this year, I had noticed that there were big chunks of creosote behind these heat shields. I figure it would be best for the stove if I could remove it. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that it is filled with ash as well as the creosote.
So, seeing that, I would figure that it would be a good thing to remove as much as that as I could, thinking that the space is there for a reason. Whether it be airflow, or just a heat shield to prevent the outer wall from getting too hot.
Either way, I would like to get the ash and creosote that has been building up there for the past 6 years.

 

[tarzan]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say, the biggest problem with the buildup behind the heat shields in the firebox is likely getting the buildup out, for those that choose to do so.

This BK design has a few years behind it now, so any corrosion issues associated with it should have already came to light.

 

[Highbeam]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say, the biggest problem with the buildup behind the heat shields in the firebox is likely getting the buildup out, for those that choose to do so.

This BK design has a few years behind it now, so any corrosion issues associated with it should have already came to light.

Yeah, recently, corroded a hole right through the back of a king.

99% of the stoves have never been cleaned behind the bricks or the shields.

A good, hot, fire to end the year with very dry firebox deposits might just be the way to go. Clean out all the ash, pipe, and loose stuff of course.

 

[rdust]

Yeah, recently, corroded a hole right through the back of a king.

99% of the stoves have never been cleaned behind the bricks or the shields.

A good, hot, fire to end the year with very dry firebox deposits might just be the way to go. Clean out all the ash, pipe, and loose stuff of course.

Was just about to mention Dave’s stove, then I read your post.

I’ve never cleaned mine, never moved a brick, always burn low in the spring before shutting down. I’m going to look things over good before fall burning begins.

 

[tarzan]

Yeah, recently, corroded a hole right through the back of a king.

99% of the stoves have never been cleaned behind the bricks or the shields.

A good, hot, fire to end the year with very dry firebox deposits might just be the way to go. Clean out all the ash, pipe, and loose stuff of course.

My post was in reference to any corrosion issues that we are aware of with the Blaze King stoves in general, not a particular stove. There are flukes in anything that's produced with enough quantity. i.e, the smoke smell issue!

Regardless, your advice is sound and, in my opinion, keeping moisture away from exposed steel with or without a catalyst would probably go a long way toward increasing the longevity of our stoves.

 

[BKVP]

This topic has come up more than once. I went to the welding supply store and purchased a wire brush on a stiff but flexible wire shaft. Think baby bottle brush.

Did a perfect job!

 

[tarzan]

This topic has come up more than once. I went to the welding supply store and purchased a wire brush on a stiff but flexible wire shaft. Think baby bottle brush.

Did a perfect job!

Why would you do that? Simply put, are there any issues with not cleaning the crud out from behind the heat shields that you are aware of?

 

[Highbeam]

This topic has come up more than once. I went to the welding supply store and purchased a wire brush on a stiff but flexible wire shaft. Think baby bottle brush.

Did a perfect job!

Like any forum, after a few years I notice the same questions coming up repeatedly. It's okay, and I find it best to answer them instead of barking to "use the search" function. Thank you for providing the answer each time Chris, it is very helpful.

 

[BKVP]

Like any forum, after a few years I notice the same questions coming up repeatedly. It's okay, and I find it best to answer them instead of barking to "use the search" function. Thank you for providing the answer each time Chris, it is very helpful.

You're welcome. I think we all need a USB port so we can download what's in the grey matter to make room for more!

 

[BrotherBart]

You're welcome. I think we all need a USB port so we can download what's in the grey matter to make room for more!

 

[BKVP]

Why would you do that? Simply put, are there any issues with not cleaning the crud out from behind the heat shields that you are aware of?

There's no issue. However, I also spray down the engine compartment of my 2000 F350 Powerstroke every 3-4 months with Simple Green and rinse. When the hood is lifted, you might think the engine looks new. Again, no issue, I just like to know it's clean.