The Basics on How to Care for Your Woodstove and Great Accessory Products
Video Highlights:
0:13 Soot Suit
0:24 Ash Vacuums
0:36 3 PC. Accessory Tool Kit
0:53 Using the Ash Vacuum on a Wood Stove
3:15 Smoke Test Pellets – Check for drafting issues
5:26 Rutland’s Glass Cleaner
7:05 Tool Sets
8:08 Wood Holders
9:11 Safe Lite Fire Starters
9:36 Using Fatwood
10:10 Starting the fire
10:53 Long Arm Fireplace Gloves
11:19 Using the ACS-Anti Creo-Soot Spray
11:43 Kettles and Steamers
12:38 Kwik Shot Soot Stoppers
13:37 Wood Stove Thermometer
14:09 Chimfex Fire Suppressant
14:51 Ecofan Wood Stove Fan
Hi, this is Danielle from NorthlineExpress.com and today we are going to discuss the basics on how to care for your woodstove.
To start I would like to introduce you to our Soot Suit. This is a great option for homeowners that are going to be cleaning their chimney or for professionals that are cleaning customer’s chimneys. This suit will help to protect your clothing from being covered or stained with black creosote from cleaning your chimney or woodstove.
Now let’s talk about a couple of our most popular ash vacuums; the Cheetah II and the Cougar Quiet Ash Vacuum. These are both made by Loveless Ash and are a great option for fireplaces and woodstoves. An additional option that may be added to the ash vacuum is the 3 piece tool kit. This tool kit will include a brush adapter, crevice tool, and also the pellet stove attachment.
Today we are going to touch base on how to use the ash vacuum on a wood stove. You are going to start off with the angled tool. This piece comes with the ash vacuum. You will use this tool to clean up all of the cool ash out of the woodstoves firebox. You will want to make sure that the hot embers are removed and the ash is cooled enough that you can hold your hand over them for a 10 second count. If you are unable to count to 10 with your hand over the ash pile it is still too hot and may damage the rubber hosing. When you begin vacuuming with this attachment you will want to make sure that you are at about a 45 degree angle to the woodstove surface you are cleaning. Once the firebox is cleaned of the ash you will then continue with the crevice or angled tool to get into the corners and joints of the firebox making sure all ash residues are cleaned away. This tool is also great for cleaning up the hearth board. Another tool that is very handy when cleaning your woodstove, especially if you have glass doors, is the brush tool. The brush tools soft bristles allows you to clean the glass doors and outer surface of your woodstove without leaving scuffs or scratches behind. The ash vacuum makes removing ash and dust a breeze, you have the inside of the woodstove and the outside done all at once.
Now on to checking the drafting of your woodstove, smoke pellets are a great product to assist in checking your draft. You will simply place one pellet in the firebox and light it. It will then begin to smoke and if your woodstove is drafting properly the smoke will get sucked right up the flue. If you have any down drafts at all or smoke coming into the room instead of up the flue you will have further inspecting of the venting system to do. Some of the issues that may arise could consist of the type of chimney cap or if there is one at all, the venting system may not be tall enough or may be too tall. These smoke pellets may also be used in fireplaces and they come in a quantity of 6 per package. It is recommended that you do not inhale the smoke from the pellets and to keep all children and pets out of the room that the flue is being tested in.
One other thing to check if you are having smoke coming back into the room is whether or not you have a blockage in the chimney or venting system. If you do see an object obstructing the pipe or chimney you can use a ProFlex Harpoon tool or a ProFlex Retrieving tool to remove the obstruction. Regular chimney cleaning helps to prevent any obstruction from occurring and will also allow them to be caught right away.
To keep with the cleaning of your woodstove we are going to take a look at Rutland’s Conditioning Glass Cleaner. This glass cleaner is going to be helpful in removing that built up creosote on your glass doors that is blocking your view of the beautiful fire inside the woodstove. This product may also be used on glass fireplace doors as well. All you will need in addition to the cleaner is a damp rag, paper towel, or newspaper works good as well. Put a small amount on your rag, wipe it onto the glass surface a in a circular motion and watch the creosote wipe right off. Rutland’s Glass Cleaner is a non-abrasive, conditioning cleaner so you will not have to worry about scratching the glass and it will also protect for future cleanings preventing creosote from sticking on the glass.
Tool sets are essential for everyday use with a woodstove. You can find tools sets in several different styles, colors, lengths and sizes. There are four tools that are commonly included in the tool sets and they are the poker, shovel, broom, and a pair of tongs. Tools sets are very handy to have near your woodstove, they are going to help with all of your basic needs for tending your fire.
Wood holders are another must have item when you have a woodstove. They help keep a small amount of wood nice and tidy. Some may even come with a nice leather wood carrier that is perfect for keeping all of the debris contained and from dropping on the floor as you bring wood in from outdoors. The wood carrier prevents the need for extra clean up when hauling in wood. Both the wood holder and the carrier are available in many different colors and sizes. Some wood holders come with a shelf underneath for kindling and fire starters. It all depends on what your needs are for your hearth.
The time has come for us to start a fire in our woodstove. To start the fire we are going to use Rutland’s Safe Lite Fire Starters. These fire starters are available in a 24 or 144 count package. They are very simple to use; you will just open the package, break off one square and place it in the center of the firebox, light the corner of the square to do this our Long Fireplace Matches are perfect. Place two sticks of Fatwood, which is a kindling type of fire starter, or any type of kindling on the Safe Lite square and then it is time to add a dry seasoned log on top of the Fatwood. To place the log in it is better to be as safe as possible and use a pair of fireplace gloves. I prefer the Long Arm 20” Fireplace Gloves but they do also come in a 13 ½” length as well.
Once the log is in place and right before the fire really starts to take off is the perfect time to spray the log with some ACS-Anti-Creo-Soot Spray. This will help prevent creosote buildup in the woodstoves chimney pipe. The ACS comes in a quart size or a gallon size. I recommend purchasing a quart and a gallon to refill the quart as needed for a busy burning season. You will want to spray the log itself about 2-3 times. Once the fire is burning it will release the chemicals from the ACS and up the flue to break up any creosote that is in the flue as well as prevent more from building.
When burning a woodstove the air in the home tends to be dry because they put off such a hot dry heat. Kettles or Steamers are a great addition for a woodstove to help put the moisture back in the air. They come available in a large array of sizes and colors. They are available in cast iron with a porcelain enamel finish or just cast iron alone. There is a style of steamer to match any décor. You can also use the steamer or kettle to add fragrance to your room by using the fragrance oils by Stove Scents.
Kwik Shot Soot Stopper Toss In Creosote Removers are a great product to have on hand with having a woodstove. This type of creosote remover is very convenient to use for maintenance on your chimney flue whether it be a wood stove or a fireplace flue. All you do is toss one into a solid burning fire and let it start working. It is recommended that you use these once every 1-2 weeks depending on how quickly the creosote builds up in your flue. The Kwik Shot Soot Stoppers will help break down the existing creosote buildup into a brushable ash and also prevent the future buildup of creosote from forming.
To ensure that your woodstove is burning at optimal temperatures for that particular woodstove a Woodstove Thermometer is a necessity. Every woodstoves optimal burning temperature is different. Making sure that your woodstove is burning between the right temperature range helps to cut down on the amount of creosote buildup in your flue. There are several different styles for woodstove thermometers on the market. We offer a good selection to choose from as well.
One major concern for homeowners that heat with a woodstove or a fireplace is the occurrence of a chimney fire. Just to be prepared for the possibility of a chimney fire purchase Chimfex Fire Suppressants. Chimfex is a great product to have readily available and is very simple to use. The directions are right on the back of the box. It is recommended that you read the directions to familiarize yourself with how to use the product so in the occurrence of a chimney fire you will already know how to use the product and can act quickly.
To circulate as much heat as possible throughout your home consider adding an Ecofan to your woodstove. Ecofans generate their own electricity from the surface heat of your wood stove and circulate warm air throughout the room, increasing your comfort and fuel efficiency. The Ecofan comes in 2 or 3 blade models and you can get the blades in gold, silver, or black. This fan pushes approximately 100 CFMs. Optimal working temperature range is 450-600 degrees this is when you will see the fan working at max speed.
I hope you found the information on the Basics of How to Care for Your Woodstove helpful and do not forget NorthlineExpress is your one stop shop for all of your woodstove accessories.