Wood stove, spark arrestor screen seem plug quickly

[cqaigy2]

I've had my stove for a number years now and this year it seems like the spark arrestor screen fouled with soot pretty quickly. It was real powdery and i was able to just knock the soot off pretty easily, but im wondering what could be the problem. This summer, i cleaned the chimney and the cap w/screen. It had some soot the came off pretty easily after using it for the full season, this year just a few months in, i had to clean the cap and screen.

 

[MossRoad]

Only time I had my screen under the cap plug up was when I burned some not dry enough wood on too low of a damper setting.

 

[DennisArrow]

I use that stuff available at TSC called, Creosote Remover, by Rutland. It turns that soot to ash. Moss Road is right about perhaps your wood is not really dry? Seems that in previous years when I had to use stuff that had not cured at least a year I got what you are describing for sure. Then also I started using the above stuff once a week and first thing in the morning a really hot fire to warm up the house but also blast out the stove pipe. Anyway, for the last 3 years havent had the problem you describe and I attribute it to seasoned wood, hot fire in the morning, and the creosote remover stuff..............
But ya know Bud.........sure is worth it for that great heat, the cost of that heat, not running the heat pumps, and the bit of exercise to service the stove and the wood pile............God bless...........Dennis

 

[kco]

Same here DennisArrow, always a hot fire first thing in the morning and use well dryed wood. Another thing that will help is to split the wood smaller. I burn over 5 full cords in the year and just haul the approximately 12 gallons of white powder out in the summer.

I have the chimney and furnace swept and inspected once per year. The sweep says it is burning fine. I'm sure you know the dull grey ash is a good sign and the shiny black creosote coating is a danger.

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks for the info everybody! It confirms the multiple issues I'm thinking have contributed to this problem. After reading some of the things posted, it may be a combination of too wet and/or too big along with too low draft. This year, i've put the biggest chunks in then ever before. That may have worked ok but they probably should have been dryer and i should have burned them hotter as well.

So im going to split some of those larger rounds, make sure the woods dry enough and the fire's hot enough.

I really love this stove, when i burn it correctly , there isn't any smoke and it sips wood. I like the radiant heat and i have to admit, i keep it warmer in the house then when using electric. We also lose power multiple times every winter and it sure beats sitting in a freezing cold house. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

Glad you are thinking of some solutions. :thumbsup:

I've been trying to keep two years ahead of my burning and that has really made a huge difference in firewood dryness. First year the wood was just too green still, depending on species. My sassafras dries in less than a year, but the locust takes a lot longer, it appears. I guess it depends a lot upon species, humidity and rain/snow in your area. I always keep the top of the pile covered, but sides open. This is our fourth year on a wood burning stove. I like it!

 

[cqaigy2]

Yes, i have a pile of wood, covered, from last year that i'll be processing into the wood shed this spring. That will make it two year old cut wood. Fir typically drys fairly quickly, though i do have some cherry, maple and oak that will take longer. The stove works much better with the better draft.

 

[SPIKER]

I see you are in Washington might I ask are you burning softwoods? (Pine) which it has a lot more saps/tar content when burning also wood that is not FULLY DRY will have more sap in the wood and also build up on the cap. Last thing would be if you choke down the fire so that it is Smoldering rather than burning the smoke then will contain more unburnt material to clog the screen.

Mark

 

[cqaigy2]

I see you are in Washington might I ask are you burning softwoods? (Pine) which it has a lot more saps/tar content when burning also wood that is not FULLY DRY will have more sap in the wood and also build up on the cap. Last thing would be if you choke down the fire so that it is Smoldering rather than burning the smoke then will contain more unburnt material to clog the screen.

Mark

Softwood mostly, fir but similar to pine. Fir does have a lot more pitch, when first tossed into the stove, the bark spits and flares and gives of somewhat sooty smoke.

 

[northwind318]

Thow a Handfull of Rock Salt on a Good Fire and Poof Like Magic Soot all gone .This is what is in those PAY FOR magic chimmney cleaners