Burn pot carbon build up is expected, but it is a little annoying. Any one care to share their solutions? I'm considering media blasting my burn pot and coating it with a graphite paint, but have to do my research first.
![[Hearth.com] Solving burn pot carbon?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/141/141588-39f250a2cdb2952da4a79b575f73bca4.jpg?hash=YFYFiqk6CU "[Hearth.com] Solving burn pot carbon?")
Solving burn pot carbon?
- Thread starter Tenpounder
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DneprDave
Minister of Fire
I get a hard deposit on my burn pot after I've gone through about a ton of pellets. Then I give the stove the leaf blower treatment and it's good for another ton. It is probably reduced airflow that causes it, because it doesn't get that build up for a long time after it has been cleaned. I knock the crud off of it with a welding hammer and a wire brush.
Dave
Dave
RickNH
Member
I've always had carbon on all three of my stoves, although the St. Croix isn't as bad. I just use a very sharp 1" wood chisel and a 3M diamond impregnated sanding pad (green). If you search all my posts you will find out where you can get the pad for $34.00 at MSC..I wouldn't use the graphite paint unless it was very high temperature paint. I would guess it would be very expensive.
When I use the chisel and pad, it takes me less that 5 min. to clean the carbon off completely.
JDenyer236
Feeling the Heat
I just use a sharp chisel and scrape it off. Then I spray some of that anti creosote spray on it. Then I fire up the stove and the rest just burns off.
NHcpa
Minister of Fire
Tonyray
Minister of Fire
![[Hearth.com] Solving burn pot carbon?](/talk/data/attachments/141/141595-8b46e7fe37b0437eb0771f73713e6381.jpg?hash=eZUyjK43iJ)
Bioburner
Moderator
I have had good luck after cleaning the pot by rubbing in graphite powder. Bixby can go easy a month between strip down cleanings. The powder is good on door gaskets if you haven't changed them to graphite impregnated. The graphite paint is great on augers and hoppers to ease slipping.
bostonfan49
Minister of Fire
******Stevekng, I checked your posts but couldn't find the 3M info.....What is MSC? Thanks, Bill
bostonfan49
Minister of Fire
**********Just found them on Amazon, but what Grit do you use? Saw some from 100 up to 800. You must be using a very course pad, right? Thanks again, Bill
DneprDave
Minister of Fire
Luv2burnPellets
Member
MSC originally stood for Manhattan Supply Corp. Now just MSC, a huge catalog tool supply organization. Try this : mscdirect.com
Here's the link. The price has gone up $4.00 since I bought mine 4 years ago. But it still is like new. By the way, you can cut them in half or smaller to get into smaller spaces.
http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/01054659
![[Hearth.com] Solving burn pot carbon?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/141/141628-dc8535fb6b52e3f090f8c5d494267773.jpg?hash=VmZu-6wrPo "[Hearth.com] Solving burn pot carbon?")
RAVinMetrowest
New Member
I built concrete counters for my home, and used diamond grinding wheels and polishing pads, from Concreteexchange.
The grits run from 60 to 3000. Basically the same pads you would use for polishing stone like granite and marble for counters are also used for concrete. The pad you show is a 250 grit. At the concrete exchange they have a 150 for $15.79 and a 300 for $15.79. Less than half the price, and looking at your pic, I couldn't tell the difference from the ones I bought.
http://store.concreteexchange.com/C...-Supplies_5/Alpha-Diamond-Hand-Polishing-Pads
RAVinMetrowest
New Member
![[Hearth.com] Solving burn pot carbon?](/talk/data/attachments/141/141711-53fa6be739968446ce8a253c3db25af9.jpg?hash=KMfVmBDmj8)
I use a Painters 5-in-1 tool to clean the burn pot weekly.
Chip it off and scrape it clean.
The 5-in-1 is stiffer than a putty knife and has a pointy side that gets into the holes.
Best way I have found to avoid clinkers is to run the stove long and hot.
Good high BTU pellet running strong (not idling) will keep it clean.
This time of year the stove idles most of the time so it gets buildup.
Chip it off and scrape it clean.
The 5-in-1 is stiffer than a putty knife and has a pointy side that gets into the holes.
Best way I have found to avoid clinkers is to run the stove long and hot.
Good high BTU pellet running strong (not idling) will keep it clean.
This time of year the stove idles most of the time so it gets buildup.
yooper81
Member
mine got progressively worse over 3 seasons, keeping in mind I am a vigorous cleaner, so I had it sand blasted this summer and then gave it a paint job. like new now... Going to be part of my scheduled maintenance from now on. maybe every other year
Water helps dissolve the carbon deposits in my old diesel engine intake manifold. I wonder what would happen if you soaked the burn pot in water before cleaning? Should make it much easier to remove the carbon deposits!
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