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[Brauma]

Looks like I have a LOT of creosote built up in my H2, on the ceiling and around the opening of the stack. Also, inside of my firebox, the walls look wet.

What's the best way to clean this stuff out? Could this build-up act as an insulation and not heat water as good as it used to?

[Scott7m]

Yes it slows heat transfer

A big hot fire works best, plent of dry cardboard, stuff her full, open the bottom door and absolutely let it roar

There is nothing I know of to clean creosote besides burning it off

[Brauma]

Sounds dangerous. I like it.

I have a rain cap on my stack. I'll take it off. How long does it roar? I'll have my garden hose on hand in case a fire get's out. So, there's no danger to the unit by doing this? Looks like you'll spike the water temp.

[Scott7m]

Yea, I always do it, leave my cap on to.

Water temp will spike of course as creosote burns super hot, but it's not gonna hurt
Anything, it only takes 10-15 minutes and she's clean usually

There ain't much danger really, it will burn out the stack as well, it will clean it all the way to the top

When I run a conventional stove like your hardy, I do that about once a month to prevent it from getting bad

As far as damaging the stove, nah.  It may go well over your set point but it's not a big deal

[Brauma]

Ok, thanks. This is my first season. I've run it for 3 months and never cleaned it, so I've got a big build-up. Gonna be a big flame out.

[walkerdogman85]

I let mine burn hot once in a while I do like Scott told me and put cardboard in there and let it burn big flames but since its been really cold there hasn't been much build at all

[fireboss]

Do it at night its even better!!!!!!

[AirForcePOL]

once you get a good hot fire in there you can take a putty knife and scrape the creosote off around the door.  Also, I'm not sure what the tool is called but it is almost like a big putty knife on the end of a shovel handle.  Once you get the creosote warmed up this works good to scrape the build up off of the sides and top of the firebox. 

looks like this:   http://www.unionagway.com/LGTools/816043%20nordic%20ice%20scraper.jpg

[fireboss]

I would call that an ice scraper that what i use!

[walkerdogman85]

Once the fire I'd good and hot I just turn the little hardy shovel over and use the flat side to scarp all sides top too just not the door side works great! Then the fire really gets going

[Brauma]

Thanks. I'm planning to do this tomorrow. We had a lot of rain yesterday so everything is still wet. Makes me feel better about doing it.

[Brauma]

Well that was interesting! It's done and she looks clean. Well, you know what I mean.

The only thing I saw that I didn't like was when I was done, there was a considerable amount of smoke coming from the base of the stack around that round flange at the top of the unit. I was guessing the silicone or whatever the installer sealed the stack to the top of the unit with was burning. It eventually stopped but by that time I had taken my hose and washed all the crud of the top of the unit. I made sure to spray some water under the flange (I'm calling it a flange - I'm not sure what it's called). I watched it for a while before walking away. Seems to be OK.

[Scott7m]

It can do that, but most of the time it does that under normal operation.  Maybe mist some water on it next time around that