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[coolidge]

You guys that do the cardboard burn at the end of the season, do you pack it in tight or loose fill and light?

[kommandokenny]

 

What about boil over etc
Guess ya gotta stand around and watch?

[coolidge]

figured i would let the water get down to 160ish.

[Crow]

Let the stove cool down to 130-140 ish to allow it to really get burning.I have access to as much of the heavier brown shipping type cardboard as I need. I would say I filled the BL fairly full but didn't jam it in by any means, burnt that load and had enough to reload again. I think the idea of it is that it burns up really hot but contains next to no moisture ( provided it wasn't stored outside ) so eats away at the creosote without adding to the problem.
 I wonder about the chimney sweeping logs they sell at the box stores. Would they work as well or stay away from them?

[coolidge]

I also wondered about those but haven't read the package for chemicals.

[yotehunter66]

Get it hot enough to ignite the creosote and it will burn itself off.

[mlappin]

I've seen a post on those creosote logs before, I wouldn't use em in mine. I think they release an acid when burnt to loosen the creosote.

[MattyNH]

 Its funny nothing about a rod and brush..

[Crow]

Its funny nothing about a rod and brush..

right on Matty, forgot to add that,lol. The cardboard cannot and will not replace elbow grease!           I scrape out the remaining creosote when it all cools down, shop vac the ashes out and oil it for the summer.

[oaky]

Hi Crow, I've been wondering all winter on how to scrape the remaining glazed on creosote come shut down or maybe the glaze may not be too much of a concern if it's a thin coat.

Been a might proud with my first year with the BL.

[Crow]

Glad to hear you had a good year with the new BL.
At certain times when I go out to reload and stir up the coals, the creosote wipes off really easy and other times not so much. Not sure why. Of course that's easier on the side walls but not so much on the rounded top.But I am hoping when I use the cardboard again this spring it will give me that hot fire that will let it wipe off nicely. Still have to get in there to clean out the corners and other hard to reach areas the hard way. I have read in other posts about using propane torch to burn off the remaining creosote. Will have to give that a try also.

[Roger2561]

I'm seriously thinking of purchasing a 20 pound LP tank and connecting it to a "flame thrower" like highway departments use to loosen asphalt.  I'm guessing it would get hot enough to the point where I can simply wipe the creosote build up off with a putty knife.  I especially want to get the welded corners nice and clean to slow the progression of corrosion.  After everything is nice and clean, oil it down for the summer and place a bucket on the chimney.  Roger

[intensedrive]

How do you reach with a putty knife, do you crawl into the firebox.  My luck the wind would blow her shut and the wife would get cold and fire it up.

[DaveWertz]

When I load mine I either wait until the blower has been on for a minute or I open the ash door and let it breath for a couple. Usually until the fire gets roaring again. When the creosote starts to get runny I use a garden hoe to scrap all sides and the top. You would be surprised at how clean my firebox is all yr LOL. But after I shut it down for the yr I clean all the ash out then crawl inside with a putty knife and scrape away. Only takes about 2hrs time from start to finish. I carry WD40 by the gallons so I just throw some in a spray bottle and hose er down. Cap the stack and Im done till next time!

[intensedrive]

I Believe Ridgewood Owner told me WD40 is not what you want to use..