4 replies to this topic

[Sparrow]

Does anyone know anything about woodburning stoves? We have a big, old, all cast iron woodburning stove that is set in the fireplace. It was here when I arrived and here when my husband bought the place a few years before that, and of course he did not think to ask the previous owners if they might still have the owners manual. Heck, truth be told, I believe he would have gotten rid of it if he knew how to remove it. Thank goodness I came along when I did.

The blower sometimes makes a terrrible racket, and then cuts off... or it doesn't come on at all. This is our primary heat source so I want to take care of it but do not know how. I imagine it needs the fan and what have you cleaned up good. It gets very dusty here. I also wonder if there might be some sort of air filter in there? The problem is I can't figure out how to get in there to do. I am hoping there is a way to do so without pulling the whole thing out, because when the chimney cleaners did that they used equipment that I do not have. They did not do anything with it other than take it out and put it back, I do not know if they would or should have cleaned it also.

[serendipity]

Hmm, Sparrow, electric blower?

And it sounds like you have a free-standing woodstove, not an insert, correct? Just verifying your information.

What kind of wood are you burning in it? Is it seasoned?

Do you know about the creosote powder you can put it to keep your chimneys from gunking up and being a hazard? There are also "logs" that are sold for this same purpose.

It does sound like your blower may need to be serviced. Do you or your husband have any friends who burn with a woodstove? That may be your best bet. They could possibly take a good look at it and let you know what needs to be done. Or you could ask around for a reputable chimney sweep type person who would also be able to advise you on care/upkeep/repair.

Is there a brand name printed on it anywhere that you can tell us? It would help to have more info. A picture would be even better but I don't know if that is possible for you or not.

[Sparrow]

Hmmm... a picture should be possible. My avatar is a picture we took Monday in our front yard so I have all the nessecary equipment-just gotta figure out how to do it.

I'll also copy the info. from the front of the stove.
The wood is seasoned-some of it probably too seasoned!
Yes, the blower is electric, although I wish it wasn't.

The part where we put the wood has been cleaned, but like I said nothing has been done to the motor, or filter if it has one, or anything like that in at least 10 years probably more. I was under the impression that anything with a motor had to have maintainance like oil and stuff, but I may be wrong.

It's a dilema-but I do love a good puzzle!

[ol'momma]

Maybe this will help? They also have manuals:
http://www.blazeking...neral-care.html

[Campy]

The creosote powder cleaning tubes/logs are HELPFUL, HOWEVER, the chimney should be cleaned at least once a year by a chimney sweep to remove the creosote and to insure the chimney itself is in good shape.

FWIW - I have always run my stoves "wide open" for 15 - 20 minutes a day. If you have a thermometer on the chimney pipe going into the masonry chimney get the heat so that the thermometer is in the middle to upper part of the white section, at least during the 15 - 20 minute period when you run the stove wide open. If you can regulate the stove so it will operate in the white range (without driving you out of the room) that is a plus.

Using pine or other "soft wood" for starting the fire is fine, but I strongly suggest NOT burning as your regular firewood. Soft woods, especially pines, have a lot of resins in them that will creosote up your chimney if used as a regular fuel.

There is a fan available (EcoFan) that operates from the heat of the stove, not electricity. They are not cheap - about $130 - $160.