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[bjp]

I know this place is dead right now, but why not ask. I've been having poor performance with my Classic Edge 750. Lots of difficulty getting reaction chamber temps above 600F or so, occasional runs up to 1000F but none of the 1500-1700F temps I have seen in the past. Pretty sure my air channels are caked up with creosote.

I have the left air channel fully removed (a bit of creosote, not too bad). For the right air channel, I have one of the two acorn nuts removed, the second one is covered with creosote, enough that I can't get a wrench around it to even start it turning. Any tips on getting this cleaned up enough to get it removed? I've been hacking at it with the scraper tool, with a flathead screwdriver, with anything I can think of. The only other idea I have is to take my propane flame weeder and blast it with heat for a while, hoping that will burn off, or at least soften, the creosote enough that I can get it removed.  Anyone have any other good ideas? Maybe a dremel and a sanding or cutting wheel?

The front air channel is also pretty tough to remove, even after pulling the acorn nuts. Been working on prying it out with a screwdriver and hammer claw, it should eventually make it off.

I already have replacement channel hardware so it should be easy once I just get this stuck part off.

[Walleye]

I would say heat would be your best bet

[Deebles62]

I had the same issue. Yes, the flame thrower weed eater works.  Catches the creosote on fire.  Knocks off easily after that.

[bjp]

I would say heat would be your best bet

Thanks, you're right. About three minutes direct blast with the propane weeder torch on low softened it right up to where I could get a socket on there.

[Walleye]

 

[bjp]

Pleased to say that cleaning out the air channels fixed my boiler issues. It was having trouble maintaining anything over 600F, now it spends most of each burn cycle above 1300F, back where it belongs. Last year I burned a bit too much oak that wasn't dry enough, and that probably contributed to the problem. Working great now.