| Woodstove and Cresote |
Woodstoves and Creosote
Airtight woodstoves maintain lower temperatures for long periods of time. This is
accomplished by limiting the amount of air that is available to the wood. The lack of air
creates an inefficient burn and the unused products slowly make their way up to the top of
the flue. However, when the flue pipe is at a cooler temperature, which is usually the case
for chimneys on an exterior of the home, can cause a weaker draft, causing less and less
of the unused materials and smoke to exit the flue. This causes the creosote to build on
the flue liners.
What is Glazed or 3rd Degree Creosote?
Glazed or 3rd Degree Creosote is simply unburned wood particles and condensed flue
gases which deposit in the chimney interior. Traditional woodstoves are more likely to
produce creosote. Remember, the colder the weather, the more rapidly creosote can build
up.
What is Pyrolizing?
Pyrolizing is burning a full load of wood for a short period of time (5-15 minutes) at least
once a day. This procedure may allow the creosote to dry the 3rd degree creosote and let
it drop down the flue or to be pulled up and out of the chimney. This procedure is very
effective when it is done from day one. If the flue liner already has a good deal of
creosote built up in it, it may cause a chimney fire to ignite.
Backpuffing
If your fire has been smoldering for a long time in an airtight stove for a long time, you
should not open the doors. The increase in oxygen may cause the smoldering fire to flame
up and shoot out of the door. Some flames can shoot up to 5 feet. Always open the
airports so that the fire can start again and then open the doors.
Warning Signs for Woodstoves
If your stove has operated well in the past and you notice smoke around the doors or
ports, the chimney may be blocked with creosote build up. In this case, you should let
your fire die and call a certified chimney sweep to do an inspection of the chimney.
If you see a darkening of the chimney or see brown liquid running the flue this could also
mean a build up of creosote. Call a sweep to check it out.
Things not to do with your woodstove...
1. Never connect a woodstove to a flue pipe that has been used to service a gas
appliance.
2. Never use a woodstove in an unlined chimney.
3. Never use anything but a UL approved equipment.
Airtight woodstoves maintain lower temperatures for long periods of time. This is
accomplished by limiting the amount of air that is available to the wood. The lack of air
creates an inefficient burn and the unused products slowly make their way up to the top of
the flue. However, when the flue pipe is at a cooler temperature, which is usually the case
for chimneys on an exterior of the home, can cause a weaker draft, causing less and less
of the unused materials and smoke to exit the flue. This causes the creosote to build on
the flue liners.
What is Glazed or 3rd Degree Creosote?
Glazed or 3rd Degree Creosote is simply unburned wood particles and condensed flue
gases which deposit in the chimney interior. Traditional woodstoves are more likely to
produce creosote. Remember, the colder the weather, the more rapidly creosote can build
up.
What is Pyrolizing?
Pyrolizing is burning a full load of wood for a short period of time (5-15 minutes) at least
once a day. This procedure may allow the creosote to dry the 3rd degree creosote and let
it drop down the flue or to be pulled up and out of the chimney. This procedure is very
effective when it is done from day one. If the flue liner already has a good deal of
creosote built up in it, it may cause a chimney fire to ignite.
Backpuffing
If your fire has been smoldering for a long time in an airtight stove for a long time, you
should not open the doors. The increase in oxygen may cause the smoldering fire to flame
up and shoot out of the door. Some flames can shoot up to 5 feet. Always open the
airports so that the fire can start again and then open the doors.
Warning Signs for Woodstoves
If your stove has operated well in the past and you notice smoke around the doors or
ports, the chimney may be blocked with creosote build up. In this case, you should let
your fire die and call a certified chimney sweep to do an inspection of the chimney.
If you see a darkening of the chimney or see brown liquid running the flue this could also
mean a build up of creosote. Call a sweep to check it out.
Things not to do with your woodstove...
1. Never connect a woodstove to a flue pipe that has been used to service a gas
appliance.
2. Never use a woodstove in an unlined chimney.
3. Never use anything but a UL approved equipment.
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| Useful Links: Chimney Safety Institute of America National Chimney Sweep Guild Wood Heat Info 5-day Forecast for Concord , NC |
| Office: 704-782-7213 Fax: 704-782-7299 |
| The Chimney Doctor, Inc. |
