Cleaning Brushes?

Time to pull the main switch for the second time this spring, and hopefully the last! A bit over 4 tons burned this winter. Much worse winter than last year, nearly 1 ton less coal burned...let's hear it for envelope improvements and not heating the basement

That also means it's cleanout time, yippee (or not!) Couple drywall bags for the shop-vac and a new dust mask for me...maybe a fan blowing out the basement window too

What are you folks using for cleaning narrow areas? This unit is a hot-air furnace--the secondary heat exchanger is the main area I am thinking of, I can easily reach into the primary section with a brush in hand. Is there such a thing as a "furnace brush" or something that would work? Doubt that vacuuming alone will do a good enough job.

Thanks much--
Jacob

I have used brushes that were made for cleaning oil boilers, but my favorite is a long handled wire brush that I got at the BBQ section at Lowes.

" ...................... Is there such a thing as a "furnace brush" or something that would work? Doubt that vacuuming alone will do a good enough job. "

Yes there is. Called a flue brush, or furnace brush. They come in different diameters and lengths and you can get them at any plumbing and heating supply house.

I bought one that the brush is made of stiff nylon bristles, 7 inches long ,and 2 inch diameter tapering to 1 inch at the tip. Total length with the handle is 41-1/2 inches.

The handle is two pieces of twisted heavy spring wire that allows it just enough bend to curve around the round chambers of my double exchanger oil-fired furnace.

It works very well for also loosening the fly ash when cleaning the flues in my coal range.

Paul

Do you have fire tubes in your appliance?

I do!

I could use that brush on the left! For now, all I have is this one, which at least knocks the flyash down.

My brush is similar to the one you are using. been using it for 6 years now without issue.

i wouldn't mind finding a little stiffer bristle but I haven't had much luck with that.

I actually burnt about 1 ton MORE coal this year. almost 7 tons. Although we had a very cold winter. Many consecutive days below freezing and weeks below 20. but the house was always nice and toasty so i'll take that.

I don't miss the cold this past winter one bit. working outside in it every day that cold weather sure takes its tole on the body.

Here is to Spring!

Talked to my local coal supplier last week and they said it was easily one of the best years in quite some time! so good for them also.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll have a look round to see what I can turn up.

Mark--this was our first winter with an actual furnace, last winter was a hand-fed stove in the basement blowing up through a floor grate--no comparison! Old setup was hard put to keep the house above 62 when cold out, this one easily kept it at 72+ no matter the outside weather.

Jacob

This is the perfect brush for cleaning the heat exchanger behind the plates. It's a perfect fit and has the right length handle. And the best thing about it is the price.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_269455-47703-269455_0__?p ... facetInfo=