Stage 3 creo in back of firebox

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

ozzy73

Burning Hunk
Hearth Supporter
Jan 31, 2008
195
ON, Canada
Did my first cleaning since September and found stage 3 creo in the back of the firebox ( only in that one spot ). Chimney looks good no buildup.
I frequently forget to turn the blower off even after the stove has gone out. I am thinking the blower cools the stove in that spot so much that the creo has a chance to buildup in that area.

Attached a few pics of the buildup and chimney before cleaning.

All of my wood is CSS 2+ years. I burn hot 600+ on a daily basis ( stove top ).
Will this eventually burn off ? How do I go about cleaning it ?
 

Attachments

  • [Hearth.com] Stage 3 creo in back of firebox
    Stage 3 creo.webp
    64.4 KB · Views: 404
  • [Hearth.com] Stage 3 creo in back of firebox
    Chimney.webp
    24.2 KB · Views: 410
  • [Hearth.com] Stage 3 creo in back of firebox
    Buildup.webp
    49.8 KB · Views: 405
ozzy73 said:
I frequently forget to turn the blower off even after the stove has gone out. I am thinking the blower cools the stove in that spot so much that the creo has a chance to buildup in that area.

That would be my best guess as well. Since the chimney has no significant accumulation, I say you are doing fine and wouldn't worry too much about what you found in the stove. If you are perturbed about it, it sounds like you know what you have to do for round 2.

pen
 
My stove has the exact same thing. But my chimney is good so I don't worry, I clean the firebox in the spring.
Can't always be there when the stove cools to turn off the blower, it has a thermodisc but it's pretty much blowing cold air by the time it turns itself off.
 
ozzy73 said:
Did my first cleaning since September and found stage 3 creo in the back of the firebox ( only in that one spot ). Chimney looks good no buildup.
I frequently forget to turn the blower off even after the stove has gone out. I am thinking the blower cools the stove in that spot so much that the creo has a chance to buildup in that area.

Attached a few pics of the buildup and chimney before cleaning.

All of my wood is CSS 2+ years. I burn hot 600+ on a daily basis ( stove top ).
Will this eventually burn off ? How do I go about cleaning it ?


Perhaps you are correct about the blower but by that stage of the fire there should be nothing to cause creosote.
 
I noticed yesterday that my Shelburne has shiny creosote over most of the back wall of the firebox. I've been using the blower 24-7 for the past several days (it got down to 7 degrees Tuesday night), so my guess is that the blower may be cooling the back of the stove during the entire burn cycle, hence the creosote buildup. Next time I'm there, I'll burn for several days without the blower to see if it removes the creosote.
 
The back of my stove has a crosote buildup that is flaky shiny n thick maybe <1/4 or so thick. It corresponds to the lvevel of the coal bed in the back of the stove. It has ahses in it as well and usually is the height of the coals or ash like i said. But i dont worry about it as it will burn in the next load up or after i clean it out and reload. ITs only on the back though, the sides have a paper thin flake that burns off each cycle.

My friends old smoke dragon on the other hand has thick thick shiny crosote all over the other thing and it makes mine look just like soot.
 
There is no reason for a smoke dragon to look that way. Some people are afraid of 500 degree plus surface temps and therefore cause that condition by how they operate their stove. When my FIL comes over and sees my stove at 500 or above it freaks him out. I try to explain that is actually safer than a creosote building smolder. He won't believe me though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.