I see a lot of talk about chimney sweeping but not as much about the stove. With only one full season now under my belt and up the chimney, it's probably time to check out the stove. I brushed the chimney three times during last season with minimal creosote each time, about a 12 oz can worth. The cap was a mess when we were down around zero but I blame wet wood. I'm going to remove the stove baffle and clean the inside of the stove top. Somewhere I've read that buildup there will decrease efficiency. My manual explains how to remove the top bricks and the secondary tubes for cleaning. My assumption is that we'll have a mess of black stuff to deal with. The approach will be to use a wet/dry vacuum with a second hose on the outlet side sending what ever the filter lets by to the outside. I suppose latex gloves might be a good idea or else the black stuff will get into calluses lasting for days. I'll also wear the breathing mask that I use during sweeping. It's amazing how even a cold stove will still draft that stuff right up the stack to the top where I'm standing with the sweep brush and rods.
Anyone have some tips on this task? I assume a small brush will be enough to knock anything off the inside of this top plate. My liner drops right into the top of the stove at the bypass baffle so I'm sure it's getting cleaned with the sweep brush. Flashlight and mirror are ready and waiting.
Thanks
Anyone have some tips on this task? I assume a small brush will be enough to knock anything off the inside of this top plate. My liner drops right into the top of the stove at the bypass baffle so I'm sure it's getting cleaned with the sweep brush. Flashlight and mirror are ready and waiting.
Thanks
