How to Clean a Wood Stove Chimney Pipe
A wood stove can be an inexpensive and efficient alternative for heating your home. One of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wood stove's safety and efficiency is to keep the chimney pipe free of creosote buildup, which can cause smoking and even fire. Depending on how often you use your wood stove, you may need to clean the pipe as often as once every two weeks or as little as once a year. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Tire Chain Method
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1
Close the opening of the cold stove to keep the creosote from backing up into the room when the pipe is being cleaned.
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2
Wrap a bundle of tire chains tightly in burlap.
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3
Climb a ladder and crawl to the top opening of the chimney pipe.
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4
Lower one end of the wrapped tire chains down the chimney pipe.
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5
Lift and lower the wrapped chains up and down through the pipe until the accumulated creosote dislodges and falls into the base of the stove, where it can be burned in the next fire.
Wire Brush Method
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6
Purchase a wire chimney brush from your wood stove outlet or hardware store. Be sure to buy the right size brush for your stovepipe.
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7
Wrap cloth around a weight; a rock works well.
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8
Attach the weight to the end of the rope on the bottom of the wire brush.
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9
Close your cold wood stove.
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10
Climb to the top of the stovepipe and drop the weighted brush down through the pipe. Use the handle and rope to lift and lower the brush through the pipe and loosen the creosote.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Reduce the creosote buildup inside your chimney pipe by running an extremely hot fire at least twice a week, or purchase a chemical preparation that will help disintegrate the creosote when you add it to your fire. Check first with your wood stove dealer to make sure that the preparation will not damage your chimney pipe liner.
Inspect your chimney pipe for creosote buildup by inserting a mirror into the pipe at a 45-degree angle under the flue opening. The more daylight you are able to see, the better.
Never attempt to clear a chimney pipe when burning a fire in the wood stove.
