Steam from coal

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Thu. Feb. 24, 2022 6:32 pm

Storm here, Have a Hartman Mark 1 with the gold window frame. Works fine for the many years I’ve had it. Once in a while when I get to the bottom pile bags of Blaschak coal that have been stored many years I noticed steam coming from my chimney after reloading. I guess water that was built up is given off. Is this bad for the chimney pipes-rust. Has other coal burners have the same situation?. I do store the coal in a lean to roof with a plastic floor. Thanks

Coniglio · Post by **Coniglio** » Fri. Feb. 25, 2022 5:26 am

I never saw this but I would think that once the water evaporated then the pipe would dry from the heat of the flue gases.I would not be concerned.

Hounds51 · Post by **Hounds51** » Fri. Feb. 25, 2022 9:55 am

I see you live in Wisconsin. I am guessing that you burn wood in the shoulder seasons. Keep in mind that the creosote will coat your pipes to help with the non corrosion issues. With that said I think you should keep an eye on your pipes and if you have a stainless steel chimney, you might want to keep a close eye on that also. If I were you, during the off season, I would disconnect the pipes going to your chimney clean, inspect and reconnect when your ready to burn in the fall. Some areas and conditions have a very negative effect on pipes, while other areas don't. Just use common sense and you should be ok.

Post by **Rob R.** » Wed. Mar. 02, 2022 9:53 am

Freddy posted some pictures a long time ago of some water vapor from his chimney. Granted it was about -30 when he saw it. I don't think it is anything to worry about - good advice on burning a few sticks at the end of the season.

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Wed. Mar. 02, 2022 10:37 am

Ive seen it many times when I add new coal and am outside when its super cold, but only for a short while.

Post by **Lightning** » Wed. Mar. 02, 2022 2:50 pm

Coal does have a small amount of water locked up in it..

Hounds51 · Post by **Hounds51** » Fri. Mar. 04, 2022 11:51 am

Chimney condensation is the problem. Also bringing in cold coal will also produce condensation.
Burning wood in the shoulder seasons will coat your pipes with creosote and that should help to keep your pipes from rusting out. I always take my pipes out and clean them out with a 6" nylon chimney brush. It takes the excess creosote out, but still has a coating in the pipes. I live were there is a lot of humidity in the summer and I had to only replace my black stove pipe once since 1989. Also if you do keep your stovepipe connected after you clean it. It is a good idea to keep your damper full open and also open up all your primary and if you have a secondary source, open them up also. Having air moving thru the system should help with excess condensation.
At least that is what works for me.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Fri. Mar. 04, 2022 11:57 am

All hydrocarbon combustion has water (h2o) as a byproduct because combustion is a chemical reaction…even baked dry coal will produce water (vapors not steam) when burned.

Think automobile tailpipe…who put the water in your gasoline…

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Fri. Mar. 04, 2022 1:54 pm

McGiever wrote: ↑
Fri. Mar. 04, 2022 11:57 am

Think automobile tailpipe…who put the water in your gasoline…

The EPA with their ethanol gasoline.

Paul

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Fri. Mar. 04, 2022 6:46 pm

Sunny Boy wrote: ↑
Fri. Mar. 04, 2022 1:54 pm
The EPA with their ethanol gasoline.

Paul

Well then For my example think back to when lead was still in and no ethanol.

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Mon. Mar. 07, 2022 8:46 pm

Storm here. Thanks for the many replies. I don’t burn wood in the coal stove. I have another chimney for a soapstone stove for years that I don’t burn coal. I harvest trees that fall down in the woods on my property. As with the coal stove chimney at end of season I wrap a wet cloth towel dip in baking soda around my chimney weep brush. I use this to nutrilize the acids. Have been doing this for years and the stainless steel still looks good.