Boiler Creasote Build up

 
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bcdex
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Post by bcdex » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 6:28 pm

Been burning coal in my DS 1100 boiler and thought I would see how wood burns in it. The wood is dry and seasoned, it's been in my pole barn for around seven years. Problem is, creasote build up. I have the secondary burn knob open but still builds up on inside walls and door. I'm burning it hot but when the air intake's close is when it forms. Been using creosote remover and it helps. Wondering why the buildup when the wood is this old and dry. Any tips? Thanks....

Dex
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 6:46 pm

Wood just creates creosote no matter how old. Yes, less w/ well seasoned, but still creates creosote. Tip??? don't burn wood! :)

 
grumpy
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Post by grumpy » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 6:48 pm

And maybe its not as dry as you think..

 
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SWPaDon
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Post by SWPaDon » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 6:53 pm

grumpy wrote:And maybe its not as dry as you think..
I agree, firewood won't dry well in an enclosed area, it needs airflow to dry good.

 
grumpy
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Post by grumpy » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 7:00 pm

Right what drys wood, answer, wind, wind is best, better than sun, a good hardwood can take three years in wind to dry, in a barn with no wind , ???

ETA, do you have a dirt floor in your barn ?

 
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bcdex
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Post by bcdex » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 7:34 pm

Ya I know ,, I've burned wood for 36 years and I always stack it outside in a single row for two years then put it inside. It's good seasoned and dry. This is my first time with a wood/coal boiler.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 7:44 pm

The boiler walls are 180 degrees...plenty cool enough for the gasses to condense on and form creosote. There really isn't much you can do about it other than burn wood hot/hard and only for a short while before switching back to coal.


 
grumpy
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Post by grumpy » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 7:54 pm

Good point Rob, 180* is a magnet..

 
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bcdex
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Post by bcdex » Mon. Jan. 18, 2016 8:47 pm

Your right Rob, think I'll burn up the wood or sell it and stick with coal.

 
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bcdex
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: DS 100 Coal/Wood bolier

Post by bcdex » Tue. Dec. 31, 2019 11:41 pm

I have found after burning wood, there is a creosote build up on the walls of my boiler. When the temps get cold enough for coal the creosote is gone. Not sure if the gasses from the coal burns it off.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Wed. Jan. 01, 2020 6:51 am

Burn some coal and it comes right off. More fuel for the fire.

 
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keegs
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Post by keegs » Wed. Jan. 01, 2020 3:03 pm

The stuff that accumulates in the vent pipes doesn't shed. If you burn wood during spring and fall you'll probably need to clean the pipes. I usually do it in summer along with the chimney.

 
coalder
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Post by coalder » Wed. Jan. 01, 2020 6:18 pm

I have run a Harman sf 160 for 6 yrs now. So I can tell you that that they do not burn wood well. The reason for this is that the firebox being surrounded by water & keeps the internal temp around 180* not nearly hot enough to burn the creosote. So the firebox acts like a conductor/ magnet for the creosote there-by "gluing" any creosote to the exterior walls of the firebox. Prior to the Harman I used a Thermo-control # 500 hot water heater with the same results. They just can't run hot enough to burn off the creosote. Now the only good thing about this scenario is that I burn some wood at the end of the season to anoint the boiler, not only to flush out some fly ash but as a form of preservation from moisture. And by the way my wood is 5 yr old oak stored out of the weather.
As for your other question about the spinner knob on your DS boiler; That knob is obviously there just to burn wood. Because wood doesn't GAF where it gets air from & it is also too high above the coal bed to act as a effective secondary air. Secondary air should be at the same level as the top of the coal bed, & that is clearly not. So ifn your wood fire is burning just fine & you don"t mind the creosote, chance of a chimney fire along with the complications of handling all that mess then go for it. That spinner knob is just for wood. And there is no way of checking it other than opening the door.
Damn near forgot that this was a coal burnin forum. OOPS!!!
JIm

 
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Post by OTR » Tue. Jan. 07, 2020 6:45 pm

I burned coal for the first time in my OWB last year. That thing is probably 10 years old. Burned that decade of creosote off right quick.

 
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bcdex
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: DS 100 Coal/Wood bolier

Post by bcdex » Wed. Jan. 08, 2020 11:26 am

Yep, My indoor boiler gets creosote build up on the walls because it's wood I'm burning (surprised?) When the temps get cold outside I switch to coal, after a couple days all the creosote is burned off the walls. Love my DS indoor boiler.


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