Apr 11, 2019

How Creosote Sticks Make Your Boiler Super Easy To Clean? Step 6 of 10 - 2019 Summer Shutdown Checklist

(Ultimate Summer Shutdown Checklist Part 6 of 10)

Creosote is a nasty black tar that builds up inside your outdoor boiler. Creosote causes the following problems:

1. It makes your boiler consume much more wood

than it should which costs you time and money!
2. It is harmful to your steel surfaces
3. Creosote reduces efficiency
4. It can cause dangerous chimney fires
5. Can reduce airflow through the boiler and even completely stop airflow thus preventing the boiler from operating (particularly in GX series with air tubes).

Clearly, creosote should be minimized.

And, any creosote that does build up, MUST be removed.

Here is the definitive solution for MINIMIZING creosote buildup and REMOVAL of any creosote that does occur. These are the ...

"Top 4 Ways to Eliminate Harmful Creosote"

1. Use Easy Creosote Remover Sticks (just toss one in the fire!) (Available HERE)
2. Follow the "Dry Burn" Procedure
3. Always operate your boiler with water jacket temps above 140 F
4. Use Properly Seasoned wood

Easy Creosote Remover Canister

This new product is the BEST way to remove creosote - just toss one stick into the fire in your outdoor boiler, and in 24 hours, creosote will be eliminated!

It is recommended to use at least one or two sticks in your outdoor boiler per month, and two sticks during the final week before shutting down the boiler for summer.

For GX Series boilers, be sure to remove the catalyst before using the Easy Creosote Remover Stick, and leave the catalyst out for 3 days after using the stick. The catalyst coatings are highly sensitive and are designed for wood burning only.

Easy Creosote Remover Sticks are available by clicking HERE.

Dry Burn Procedure

The best way to minimize creosote from even forming inside your boiler is in how you operate your boiler. The most effective way is called the Dry Burn procedure, which requires to burn each load of wood almost completely so that the final few hours of burning are when only dry coals remain.

Learn more about the Dry Burn Procedure - read our article on this topic by clicking on this link HERE.

Never Operate Boiler at Temps Below 140 F
Since even the most seasoned hardwood contains 20 percent moisture, burning wood requires eliminating this moisture. In normal operations, we want that moisture to exit the furnace harmlessly in the form of steam.

However, some of that steam will condense if ash levels get deep, and most critically, if the water jacket temp drops below 140F, then substantial amounts of condensation form, which leaves a thick layer of creosote. Learn more by watching the video on this topic HERE.

Use Properly Seasoned Wood

Your firewood should be seasoned. Green wood contains far too much moisture (up to 50%) and does not burn well. High moisture content wood requires up to 40% of the heating value of your woodjust to burn off the moisture and convert it to steam. This is heat that otherwise would go into your home.

To properly season firewood, it must be cut, split, stacked, and covered on top, but not on the sides so air can flow through the wood pile. Many customers report that after 6-9 months, their wood is properly seasoned. This means that you must prepare your wood NOW for the upcoming 2018-2019 heating season.

Learn more about preparing your wood for next winter by clicking on this link HERE.
-3 Things To Remember When Preparing Your Wood For Winter

Coming Soon - Part 7! See below for the complete list of articles in this series: