Leaf Blower Trick

[Ssyko]

It is possibly the best way to clean a stove! The one thing you want to make sure you do is either unhook the vacuum hose from the vac switch so damage is not caused by the vacuum or leave the stove door open a few inches. Clean and vacuum the fire pot and ash pan prior to doing this process.

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[BigMike!]

Ageed! I do mine 1 a month threw the heating season. It looks like a diesel smoker at a tractor pull LOL

 

[shtrdave]

Going to give this a try this spring, never tried it before. I need to figure out what I need to adapt to the pipe yet.

 

[johneh]

I do mine once a year. Only a fool would get up on a steep metal roof covered in snow (LOL)

 

[Washed-Up]

I do mine whenever I see a cold snap coming, luckily I don’t have to go on the roof, I also use an air compressor and fine point nozzle to get in tight spots inside the fire box. The cleaner the stove, the more heat it puts out.

 

[Ricks]

For my stove the leaf blower trick is a life saver! There are two exhaust passages that cannot be reached or vacuumed out. The only way to remove soot from these exhaust ports is to use the leaf blower.

 

[bogieb]

I used to do mine every 4-8 weeks. Now, I just do it at the end of the season. I use a soot eater to clean the exhausts during cleanings and I don't really have issues getting my stoves clean enough to run well thru the heating season.

 

[tbear853]

I run up on a clearance sale table at a closing K-Mart a few years ago, found big Craftsman leaf blower with adapter for under side to hook a shute to ... for to bag leaves in a bag at the exhaust port, it "rocks". Just leave the bag off and point away from me or Wife or house or a vehicle. $39 as I recall.

 

[bogieb]

I run up on a clearance sale table at a closing K-Mart a few years ago, found big Craftsman leaf blower with adapter for under side to hook a shute to ... for to bag leaves in a bag at the exhaust port, it "rocks". Just leave the bag off and point away from me or Wife or house or a vehicle. $39 as I recall.

I got a Craftsman off of CL a couple of years ago for, I think, $40 with that same set up. It was pretty much brand new when I got it - came in the box and everything.

 

[Ssyko]

this is a trial of my second one. 1st one lasted 7yrs.

 

[Washed-Up]

This is what I use, attach a 4” flex hose then worm clamp to the exhaust, metal impeller in it as well

 

[shtrdave]

I have the same one, well two of them now. My first one just stopped working and I bought another so I could finish the leaves last fall. I will open the old one up and see if I can figure out what happened. Not really any replacement parts for the switch and wiring inside.

 

[BigMike!]

51* here today ! Good day to do a leaf blower cleaning , glass is clean and up and running for the night

 

[mellow]

this is a trial of my second one. 1st one lasted 7yrs.

I just picked up one of these crapsman on FB marketplace for $50, only used once. You have any pics of how you attach it? Thanks!

 

[Ssyko]

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-FRC400-300-4-x-3-Rubber-Coupling-Cast-Iron-or-PVC-to-Cast-Iron-or-PVC?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping_Plumbing&utm_campaign=Shopping_X_Plumbing_X_SSC_ClassA&utm_campaignid=21633352515&utm_adgroupid=172230901128&utm_targetid=pla-2348139003970&utm_product_id=FRC400-300&utm_matchtype=&utm_keyword=&utm_adtype=pla&utm_category=Plumbing&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2oW-BhC2ARIsADSIAWrVU_-7R9eSvnAHp_nPXCKE5obSCDMraHJDvZ1CZeHYx83kj8wY8ksaAigLEALw_wcB

 

[BigMike!]

For those that are struggling with their stove burning lazy or not like it use to !! Just bite the bullet and go buy a cheep leaf blower and get your stove clean! I give a buddy's PP60 the leaf blower treatment yesterday, after he cleaned the stove with a shop vac. He said it is still burning very lazy ! He said their is no way that the stove is plugged with ash ! I said we will see LOL WELL lets just say the stove burns like it did when new 3 years ago.....I wish i had taken a video of all the stuff that came out of the leaf blower

 

[Ssyko]

That is the main reason we preach it so much Mike. Pellet stoves are not set and forget, gotta keep them clean.😎
Thanks for the example👍👍

 

[mellow]

Thanks @Ssyko, I ended up connecting it using the standard fitting that came with the blower and stuffed towels around it to form a seal, I attached it to my cleanout tee and put a towel over my exhaust so it could really suck out the ash from the pipe and stove. I was surprised at the power it has, and yep it was an ash storm shooting out, I should have done video but I was in a rush.

 

[Ssyko]

I have noticed alot of folks are changing parts without some real troubleshooting. The leaf blower trick needs to be done before you start the troubleshooting steps! The stove needs to be clean! Then and only then should you do the troubleshooting.

 

[bogieb]

I have noticed alot of folks are changing parts without some real troubleshooting. The leaf blower trick needs to be done before you start the troubleshooting steps! The stove needs to be clean! Then and only then should you do the troubleshooting.

Exactly. My motto is to always check the free stuff first, of which making sure that everything is clean and all doors/cover plates are attached correctly.

 

[mellow]

Just wanted to bump this to remind others to get your stove cleaning done.

I will be doing mine again since I had to burn for a bit during a cold spell in the spring after my "final" cleaning. This time I will also use air from my air compressor to blow into the exhaust ports while the leaf blower is sucking to get an extra good cleaning done.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Just wanted to bump this to remind others to get your stove cleaning done.

I will be doing mine again since I had to burn for a bit during a cold spell in the spring after my "final" cleaning. This time I will also use air from my air compressor to blow into the exhaust ports while the leaf blower is sucking to get an extra good cleaning done.

What is the best way to clean the stove pipe? I have 4 inch. Do I need to buy the expensive kit for a drill? Some of these kits look pretty cheap for what you get. Can I just drag something through?

 

[johneh]

They say some cool weather is coming the next 2 weeks, so I will not do a full cleaning till after the 1st of June

What is the best way to clean the stove pipe? I have 4 inch. Do I need to buy the expensive kit for a drill? Some of these kits look pretty cheap for what you get. Can I just drag something through

This is what I have used for the last 15 years

https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-ft-power-drill-duct-cleaning-brush-kit/product/PA0009169533?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PMax&utm_campaign=PR2526&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22060827349&gbraid=0AAAAADu8PlO0sIbyx2-_MVtR8THmj-R_d&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoZbBBhDCARIsAOqMEZVOSCvUQMRwOqEpuImYgOXKx3s8XFCPQ0xVixTUm9iWhQQGfyzH3L4aAsQZEALw_wcB

 

[shtrdave]

I have mine set at 71 and and it comes on almost nightly at least once. I actually turned it p a little over the weekend, as the GF was cold.

 

[Whitenuckler]

They say some cool weather is coming the next 2 weeks, so I will not do a full cleaning till after the 1st of June



This is what I have used for the last 15 years

https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-ft-power-drill-duct-cleaning-brush-kit/product/PA0009169533?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PMax&utm_campaign=PR2526&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22060827349&gbraid=0AAAAADu8PlO0sIbyx2-_MVtR8THmj-R_d&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoZbBBhDCARIsAOqMEZVOSCvUQMRwOqEpuImYgOXKx3s8XFCPQ0xVixTUm9iWhQQGfyzH3L4aAsQZEALw_wcB

Thanks! I totally missed this. I was looking on line and at the big box stores and I was not impressed. My store has 6 in stock and I will be getting one tomorrow. $19.99. BTW, my basement seems to stay pretty cool. Do people run their stoves all year round to take the chill off?