How to Clean a Woodstove and Chimney

Due to severe backdraft issues we thought maybe (after 3 years ) it was necessary to clean out the stove pipe.  PH used a rechargeable drill to remove ALL the screws from the stove pipe.  Make sure to place these all in a  baggie so you won't lose them.


PH then removed the stack attached to the wood stove on one end, and the Magic Heat heat exchanger on the top.  Then he detached the Magic Heat from the elbow pipe that went out of the wall.  The piece through the wall he left in place.  He used the wire chimney brush while I held the bucket under the opening and rain the brush through several times.  We were SHOCKED at how much cresote came out of just the horizontal pipe.

Next on the list was removing the outside elbow piece, removing the bracket screws that hold the upright pipe and attached rain hat.  Once those were on the ground, PH carefully cleaned each piece.  He even washed the rain hat to remove all the creosote build up from the wire screen.

Once the pipe was clean, he reattached the pipes and screwed everything back together.  I then cleaned the inside of the stove, and replaced any broken fire bricks.  Next on the list (for another day) will be taking a wire brush to the outside of the wood stove and reapplying stove black to the stove.

It is wonderful to be able to sit here tonight with a fire (it is in the 30s here) without smoke pouring until the room.  Last night I kept a low fire burning, but had to sleep with the front door cracked so most of the smoke would go outside.  Much better to have ZERO smoke inside the house ;-)

Happy New Year!

We had a great time of fun, food, family, friends and fellowship New Year's Eve.  This was our third year to host a bonfire, and we had a good crowd.  About an hour before midnight  the guys headed to the bridge by the creek to set off the fireworks.  It was a pretty good display, and along with the neighbors setting off theirs gave us an exciting, fun night.

It's always interesting to see how I can host a party with as little money spent as possible.  Providing food for the pantry/freezer makes the night less stressful.  I made BBQ wings, wild hog sausage, nachos, bread, iced tea and everyone brought snacks like cookies, brownies, and more. 

The wood stove is smoking bad, and back drafting into the cabin.  It figures this happens when the nights are really cold.  In order to be warm enough to not freeze we have had the fire going, but I have to sleep with a fan blowing from one end, and the front door cracked to keep the smoke going out of the house.  I still woke this morning at 4 a.m. cold, and with my eyes burning.  Once it is light, I'll let the fire die out so that the stove and pipe can cool.  PH will take the chimney down so it can be cleaned.  We are quite certain that after three years this may be the problem.  Everything we read says to clean it yearly, but after 20 years of heating with wood we have found this to not be accurate for us.  The first time before we found out it needed to cleaned we went 10 years without doing it without any problems.  We only cleaned the chimney because we purchased a newer stove.  But I think it's necessary this time....

I purchased a few food preps, and focused on my medical preps to keep stocking my first aid kit.  Having an extensive first aid kit came in handy when PH sliced his hand open on the tin roofing while working on the barn extension.  He is adding another side roof structure over the horse pens.  Originally we were going to let the horses use the  first barn extension to shelter out of the elements, but PH had enough materials scavaged that he wanted to use them up, and not let them rust away on the ground.  So, instead of moving the pens under the first extension he is building another over the pens themselves.  The first extension will be used for church worship services, a work area for PH, and a shelter for the log splitter, garden tractor. etc. 
Back to PH's hand....it was worse then we first thought and really should have had stitches, but PH doesn't go to the hospital for such minor issues.  I was able to clean it, and use my "Liquid Skin" to close up the injury.  I bandaged it and he was on his way.  Because he was still working he kept breaking it open, so that evening it was seeping pretty  badly.  I doctored it again with peroxide, Neosporin and a bandage.  By yesterday afternoon, it was looking pretty good. 

PH and PS#1 (age 23) were able to get the framework up and will concentrate on finishing up with the roofing later today.  It's not even 5 a.m. and everyone else is still sleeping.  I LOVE the quiet of the house early morning and late evening.  Very peaceful.

I pray this new year brings blessings, and we are in much prayer for our nation.  It's going to be a bumpy ride for sure this year, but working on relying on the Lord for our provision and security is a never ending theme with our family.

Hope everyone had great Christmas and New Year celebrations in the loving atmosphere of family and God.