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[hondaracer2oo4]

How well are you guys able to clean out the bottom of your Hardys for the summer months? I removed the two I beams in the bottom and the grates. I vacuumed it all out but could not get the build up off of the sides. It is about 3 inches thick in some places and hard as a rock! I believe it is just the creosote which had dripped down the walls and solidified with the ash. I tried scraping at it a little bit with a shovel but it is really on there good. Any reason I should work to get it off or just leave it?

[slimjim]

I don't have a hardy, but I would try to set the creosote on fire with a torch, it will smolder for days if you give it a bit of air.

[hondaracer2oo4]

Alright, Ill see what I can do, worth cleaning off in your opinion then slim?

[slimjim]

Absolutely, watch the temp and keep it full of water so you don't burn up the temp probe, it will light hard but once it gets going it will burn fine.

[hondaracer2oo4]

Slim, let me just clarify something with you. The creosote that I am referring to is only a small area around where the grates sit and the ash from the sides build up to. Im certainly not talking about the rest of the fire box. The 95% of the firebox just has a slight film of creosote on it. It is just where the creosote runs down and hits the ash it has turned into a thick, hard as rock piece that is attached to the side of the boiler. Only about 6 inches on the side of the firebox and about 3 inches thick. 

[slimjim]

it'll burn! It can't be good for the boiler that thick!

[hondaracer2oo4]

Well slim, I gave it the old college try today. I used my propane weed burner torch to try and light it up. I was able to burn up the stuff that was on the roof pretty easily. But that thick stuff down at the ash line really wouldn't get going. It would get red hot and start to flame a little and I would hold the torch on it for a while but as soon as I removed the torch it would stop flaming within 10 seconds or so. I turned the blower on and let it fan it. It would smoke for about an hour and then stop. I tried three times. All smoked for about an hour and then stopped.

[mlappin]

Air hammer with a chisel in it?

[slimjim]

How well are you guys able to clean out the bottom of your Hardys for the summer months? I removed the two I beams in the bottom and the grates. I vacuumed it all out but could not get the build up off of the sides. It is about 3 inches thick in some places and hard as a rock! I believe it is just the creosote which had dripped down the walls and solidified with the ash. I tried scraping at it a little bit with a shovel but it is really on there good. Any reason I should work to get it off or just leave it?

  Not sure I would use an air chisel as you might puncture the wall or crack the firebox, I think your weed torch may not be hot enough to get it going, do you have a small handheld that you use for soldering, it will be more concentrated heat.

[mlappin]

I would think it'd be alright, use it more like a scraper.

[hondaracer2oo4]

Slim, yes I do have a soldering propane torch. I will try that, I also have an oxy/acetylene cutting set up but was hesitant to start heating with that near the stainless. Mlappin, I think that an air chisel would be doable if I was very careful with it, the boiler is 23 years old though and I treat it as gently as possible.

[slimjim]

23 years old, man oh man break free with some of that cash you have been saving and buy a new boiler, skip cleaning that one and haul it for scrap, they pay well for extra creosote

[mlappin]

23 years old, man oh man break free with some of that cash you have been saving and buy a new boiler, skip cleaning that one and haul it for scrap, they pay well for extra creosote

Nah, can't do that, it'd be like putting the family dog down or something.

[hondaracer2oo4]

Slim, I know I know but she still works and does her job.

[slimjim]

I'm in the same boat with my old Wood Doctor, not as old but awfully reliable when I pull the chip boiler out for a show.