I've been using my Englander 12-FP since November. I have some creosote build-up, but I don't know when or how often I should clean.
I'm a newbie, but I've done lots of reading on this forum, so I'll go ahead and stipulate what I've learned as to how to avoid/lessen creosote formation:
1. Use dry, seasoned wood only. This probably sums it up: [quote author="Backwoods Savage" date="1295140180"]...Most every time when someone has a creosote problem it can be traced back to the wood.[/quote]
2. Have hot fires & avoid smoldering.
I want to know at what point should I brush my chimney. I have about 7' of double wall stove pipe and 9' of class A stainless with a rain cap and no spark arrestor.
The temps are mild here in East Texas today, so I decided to inspect my chimney. I have the expected loose crud on my rain cap, but nothing obstructive. The lumen of the chimney has about 1/4" evenly distributed, flaky, black build-up. Just blowing on it knocks it loose, and lightly brushing it with my finger reveals the shiny stainless underneath.
I'm having to order a poly brush as I cannot use my father's metal brush on my class A, and the local shops only have metal brushes as well. (before a debate breaks out regarding the necessity of using only a poly brush on stainless, the instruction manual for my class A explicitly states to use a "plastic chimney cleaning brush".
I suspect there's no danger in continuing to use my stove with the current build-up of creosote at least until the poly brush arrives, but I understand it is cumulative by nature. Frankly, I have no idea at what rate this build-up occurred as I have refined my burning habits since experimenting with my new stove. For all I know, most of the buildup happened within the first 2 weeks of use (before I discovered the real meaning of seasoned wood).
I'm a newbie, but I've done lots of reading on this forum, so I'll go ahead and stipulate what I've learned as to how to avoid/lessen creosote formation:
1. Use dry, seasoned wood only. This probably sums it up: [quote author="Backwoods Savage" date="1295140180"]...Most every time when someone has a creosote problem it can be traced back to the wood.[/quote]
2. Have hot fires & avoid smoldering.
I want to know at what point should I brush my chimney. I have about 7' of double wall stove pipe and 9' of class A stainless with a rain cap and no spark arrestor.
The temps are mild here in East Texas today, so I decided to inspect my chimney. I have the expected loose crud on my rain cap, but nothing obstructive. The lumen of the chimney has about 1/4" evenly distributed, flaky, black build-up. Just blowing on it knocks it loose, and lightly brushing it with my finger reveals the shiny stainless underneath.
I'm having to order a poly brush as I cannot use my father's metal brush on my class A, and the local shops only have metal brushes as well. (before a debate breaks out regarding the necessity of using only a poly brush on stainless, the instruction manual for my class A explicitly states to use a "plastic chimney cleaning brush".
I suspect there's no danger in continuing to use my stove with the current build-up of creosote at least until the poly brush arrives, but I understand it is cumulative by nature. Frankly, I have no idea at what rate this build-up occurred as I have refined my burning habits since experimenting with my new stove. For all I know, most of the buildup happened within the first 2 weeks of use (before I discovered the real meaning of seasoned wood).