Too salvage or trash?

[Cardinalrunner]

I'm very thankful for this site and I have worked for a long time reading up on your projects! you all have served as a collective source of inspiration and helpful information. Thank you for all the experts and community members in advance.

Unfortunately I am not here offering any help but rather coming with questions.

Here it goes. I found a free treemont insert on Craigslist for free last year. it sat in the garage for a year and only tested in the driveway. I had several contractors take a look and everyone said it needed an 8in liner. So this fall I purchased one and tried to run it down from the top. It got hung up on the last brick below the Tera cotta tile. After shoving pushing pulling and other efforts I gave up. Eventually I shoved it in and ran it as a slammer. Having grown up with a slammer I figured what the hell. After burning about half a cord of unseasoned wood a blower started squealing. I decided it was a good time to pull it out and see how things look. I was blown away by the amount of creosote. I cleaned out as best I could using wire brushes, pole extension, and one of those heavy duty shop dust vacs. There are still portions of glossy stage 3 creosote on the brick below the flue. I've stopped burning to consider my options. Unfortunately I've already invested and installed a new blower, bought a cord of good seasoned hardwood and I don't know what to do. I'm willing to hear the advice that I should seal it back up for winter and use the wood next year and a safer set up. It is an air tight stove that heats the downstairs to 80 degrees. At the very least I need to hook it back up so I can keep heat from leaving the house (even if not being used).
after cleaning up the creosote I tried reading up on what causes heavy build up and I realize I did everything wrong. I burned lots of paper cardboard unseasoned wood and closed the dampers and air for slow night burns.
I'm not planning on using it until I have a decent solution.
Now being solution oriented:
I have a rectangle to round boot adapter, 8inch coupling, and plenty of feet of stainless steel liner (8inch), bucket of refractory cement, and a limited budget.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? Could I run some SS flex up to the flue, straight pipe up to the flue, reduce to a 6 inch to take it all the way to the top?

I would like to finish out the season and would like a temporary solution that would allow me to make it through the winter enjoying a fire, being careful of how I burn, and budget for better system nwcn year. Appreciate anyone's 2 cents. Thanks all!

 

[edyit]

I'd call a sweep, have them come in and clean the creosote and install the liner correctly, it might cost you a little $$ but piece of mind is priceless.

(broken link removed to https://www.csia.org/search.html)

 

[bholler]

I'm very thankful for this site and I have worked for a long time reading up on your projects! you all have served as a collective source of inspiration and helpful information. Thank you for all the experts and community members in advance.

Unfortunately I am not here offering any help but rather coming with questions.

Here it goes. I found a free treemont insert on Craigslist for free last year. it sat in the garage for a year and only tested in the driveway. I had several contractors take a look and everyone said it needed an 8in liner. So this fall I purchased one and tried to run it down from the top. It got hung up on the last brick below the Tera cotta tile. After shoving pushing pulling and other efforts I gave up. Eventually I shoved it in and ran it as a slammer. Having grown up with a slammer I figured what the hell. After burning about half a cord of unseasoned wood a blower started squealing. I decided it was a good time to pull it out and see how things look. I was blown away by the amount of creosote. I cleaned out as best I could using wire brushes, pole extension, and one of those heavy duty shop dust vacs. There are still portions of glossy stage 3 creosote on the brick below the flue. I've stopped burning to consider my options. Unfortunately I've already invested and installed a new blower, bought a cord of good seasoned hardwood and I don't know what to do. I'm willing to hear the advice that I should seal it back up for winter and use the wood next year and a safer set up. It is an air tight stove that heats the downstairs to 80 degrees. At the very least I need to hook it back up so I can keep heat from leaving the house (even if not being used).
after cleaning up the creosote I tried reading up on what causes heavy build up and I realize I did everything wrong. I burned lots of paper cardboard unseasoned wood and closed the dampers and air for slow night burns.
I'm not planning on using it until I have a decent solution.
Now being solution oriented:
I have a rectangle to round boot adapter, 8inch coupling, and plenty of feet of stainless steel liner (8inch), bucket of refractory cement, and a limited budget.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? Could I run some SS flex up to the flue, straight pipe up to the flue, reduce to a 6 inch to take it all the way to the top?

I would like to finish out the season and would like a temporary solution that would allow me to make it through the winter enjoying a fire, being careful of how I burn, and budget for better system nwcn year. Appreciate anyone's 2 cents. Thanks all!

Well first thing is you need to clean up the mess you made. That means removing all of that glazed creosote. Next you would have to make room for that 8" liner with insulation to be installed. Depending upon how large your liner is now that may mean breaking out the old clay.

 

[Cardinalrunner]

Thanks for the replies you can see some of the before and after pics from the effect of unseasoned wood...

 

[Hogwildz]

Could be worse. Personally, I'd sell that thing & liner, and put the money towards a new/newer insert & full 6" insulated liner, and install it correctly. Problems solved.

 

[bholler]

I agree with hog I wouldn't waste the time and money making an insulated 8" liner fit

 

[Cardinalrunner]

I agree with hog I wouldn't waste the time and money making an insulated 8" liner fit

I'm glad it's not worse and can enjoy the thought of something better next year.

 

[Woody Stover]

I agree with hog I wouldn't waste the time and money making an insulated 8" liner fit

How much to properly clean all that glaze off, and how is it done?

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

Thanks for the replies you can see some of the before and after pics from the effect of unseasoned wood...

Is this what they mean by wood porn?

I noticed a substantial crack in front of the stove. Does that require some attention?

 

[Hogwildz]

That cord or "seasoned" hardwood your recently bought, probably is not as dry as you think.
Start gathering as much wood as you can now. Sell the stove set up you have, and save for a new setup for the summer. If you wait till fall, everyone will be busy again, and cutting it close for next burn season. You may find sales during the spring/summer also.
Also have a cert sweep take a look at the old firebox & chimney, and see what they say about the accumulation.

 

[bholler]

How much to properly clean all that glaze off, and how is it done?

That really doesn't look to bad it would just be a standard cleaning. I would probably use rotary cleaner with cables.

 

[Cardinalrunner]

Is this what they mean by wood porn?

I noticed a substantial crack in front of the stove. Does that require some attention?

I don't know what crack you're talkin about maybe it's just in the pictures I've scoured the stove and it's in good condition... Oh wait I get your joke...my fiance has a lovely crack ... She's been lightning her hair in front of the fire lol

 

[Cardinalrunner]

That really doesn't look to bad it would just be a standard cleaning. I would probably use rotary cleaner with cables.

Thanks guys so much! It's from 1983.an 8 inch liner is not going to fit easily down the flue.

 

[Cardinalrunner]

I would love some recommendations for the upgrade planned for next winter. Things I don't want to budge on...glass window. Also, a blower is great considering I'm going to have to have a system that pushes back into the fireplace

 

[Cardinalrunner]

That cord or "seasoned" hardwood your recently bought, probably is not as dry as you think.
Start gathering as much wood as you can now. Sell the stove set up you have, and save for a new setup for the summer. If you wait till fall, everyone will be busy again, and cutting it close for next burn season. You may find sales during the spring/summer also.
Also have a cert sweep take a look at the old firebox & chimney, and see what they say about the accumulation.

I bought two subaru trunks full of freshly cut red oak (half a cord) watched the water boil out...the dump truck purchase was from the same place and definitely dryer. Mic x ooak, locust, some maple...much much vetbet wpow.

 

[Hogwildz]

There are so many choices for inserts.
First question would be dimensions of the existing fireplace firebox. Size of home, sf or home & room stove is in. Standard height ceilings, high ceilings, cathedral ceilings? Intentions of heating, meaning ambiance, weekend heater, 24/7 burner etc.

 

[jetsam]

You should pick the new stove now so you know what size liner you are going to want down the road!

You can break out the terra cotta liner. Cleaning plus more flue space in one swoop. Run the liner that you already have, hook up the stove, and you are ready for a new 8" stove.

Or, like the guys said, clean the terra cotta, new 6" liner, new stove.

Pick the stove and you'll know which way to go.

 

[darktower007]

Based on the photos I think the question is the relationship between Hardwood and Softwood... Ha! Sorry I couldn’t resist.




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[Cardinalrunner]

Based on the photos I think the question is the relationship between Hardwood and Softwood... Ha! Sorry I couldn’t resist.



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Depends on the blower

 

[Cardinalrunner]

Depends on the blower

Based on the photos I think the question is the relationship between Hardwood and Softwood... Ha! Sorry I couldn’t resist.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How about rigid vs. flexible?