Instant Puffback Conditions After Morning Shake

Hi All,

We've been burning 24/7 for about 7 months now, our only source of heat, been going very well, thanks to all on this forum for help getting us this far, it's been invaluable.

Question:

In our TLC 2000, a recent phenomena has occured the past two days, after the morning shake prior to reloading - almost instant puffback conditions are created (churning smoke, etc) from the residual coal left over from the evening before. This has actually resulted in modest puffbacks on both days. We damper overnight the same, we do the morning shake the same as we have for months, nothing in our routine has changed. I have a suspicion that I need to sweep the chimney (6" SS Liner & Stove Pipe, 24' Run). The evening outside temps are averaging around 15-20F.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Have you checked the pipe between the stove and the chimney for flyash buildup?

Do you have a manometer to monitor your draft?

lsayre wrote:Do you have a manometer to monitor your draft?

No, we don't. Meant to order one last fall, then burning was going so well, I let it slip off the list.

I see your in Alaska I guess your burning bituminous up there. My setup burns bituminous and needs swept at least halfway through the heating season.

with a 6" pipe you probably need to sweep it.

Thanks guys. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. We've probably run about 6 tons through the TLC alone this season, another 3 tons through the SF in the basement (seperate flue). It's been a really bad winter this year, hopefully we get off the hook next year. I'll do a sweep on Saturday on the TLC side.

Update:

The cleaning is done. The chimney didn't seem that bad, except for the build-up in the liner tee where the chimney liner transitions 90 degrees to the stove pipe coming into the house.

The tee had a build-up/pile restricting the flow of the 6" pipe to about 4".

The stove pipe had an even build-up of about 3/4" of fly ash lining the pipe.

I'm assuming I should probably sweep once mid-season, or when the ash build-up exceeds 1/2" - unless anyone has other recommendations.

Thanks everyone.

Sweep Early...
Sweep Often...

Better to sweep too often and have clean pipes...
Than to never sweep again...
Because an ash avalanche blocked the tee...
Pushing CO into the home...

Has the weather warmed up ? Or the prevailing wind change?? sounds like the reduced draft wasn't from the chimney being clogged with ash. Did you check the cap on the chimney if you have one?? sometimes they get clogged with ash on a screen if it has one.

Greg L