Boiler Creasote Build up
- bcdex
- Member
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Wed. Mar. 11, 2015 5:14 pm
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: DS 100 Coal/Wood bolier
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
Dex
- freetown fred
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- Location: Freetown,NY 13803
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Wood just creates creosote no matter how old. Yes, less w/ well seasoned, but still creates creosote. Tip??? don't burn wood!
- SWPaDon
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- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Clayton 1600M
- Coal Size/Type: Bituminous
- Other Heating: Oil furnace
I agree, firewood won't dry well in an enclosed area, it needs airflow to dry good.grumpy wrote:And maybe its not as dry as you think..
- bcdex
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- Joined: Wed. Mar. 11, 2015 5:14 pm
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: DS 100 Coal/Wood bolier
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.
- Rob R.
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- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
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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.
- bcdex
- Member
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Wed. Mar. 11, 2015 5:14 pm
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: DS 100 Coal/Wood bolier
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.
- coaledsweat
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- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
- Coal Size/Type: Pea
Burn some coal and it comes right off. More fuel for the fire.
- keegs
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- Location: Bridgewater, ME
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby (main floor)
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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.
-
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- Location: somewhere high in the catskill mountains
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- Other Heating: wood parlor stove
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
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
- bcdex
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- Posts: 82
- Joined: Wed. Mar. 11, 2015 5:14 pm
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: DS 100 Coal/Wood bolier
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.