Comfortmax Instructions Deficient in the Coal Burning Dept.

coalfan · Post by **coalfan** » Fri. Jun. 19, 2015 8:38 pm

i have used wd -40 I think some of the guys here also use it .prevents rust repels moisture hope this helps.

Post by **Lightning** » Fri. Jun. 19, 2015 9:34 pm

In the past I've used a paint brush and coated the interior with motor oil. This year I used fluid film. The fluid film is great stuff, but pricey too. Next time I'll stick with the coating of motor oil, it works just fine as far as I could tell.

blrman07 · Post by **blrman07** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 7:45 am

Lightning wrote:In the past I've used a paint brush and coated the interior with motor oil. This year I used fluid film. The fluid film is great stuff, but pricey too. Next time I'll stick with the coating of motor oil, it works just fine as far as I could tell.

I start the season on wood and then switch to coal. I finish the season on wood and don't clean the stove completely. I leave a coating of wood ash inside the stove. Finishing the season on wood puts a nice thin coating of wood smoke and creosote on the inside of the stove and all the chimney parts. I burn a small amount of wood compared to wood burners, not even an 1/4 of a cord total all year.

No corrosion at all inside the stove or in the flue pipe. I change the flue pipe every three years no matter what condition it is in. I don't like surprises and momma likes em even less.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 9:15 am

blrman07 wrote: I start the season on wood and then switch to coal. I finish the season on wood and don't clean the stove completely. I leave a coating of wood ash inside the stove. Finishing the season on wood puts a nice thin coating of wood smoke and creosote on the inside of the stove and all the chimney parts. I burn a small amount of wood compared to wood burners, not even an 1/4 of a cord total all year.

No corrosion at all inside the stove or in the flue pipe. I change the flue pipe every three years no matter what condition it is in. I don't like surprises and momma likes em even less.

So easy and so effective...what more can one want.

Makes me want to light some small smoldering wood fires, for same effect, in my boiler base.

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 1:03 pm

Its what I do too and I have a SS chimney on one stove. I will add that I burn the greenest wood I can find at the end, and let it smolder to create as much soot as possible. (last burn)

Im sure the oil or sprays work good too.

Post by **Lightning** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 2:49 pm

Wow. I'm shocked that the creosote coating is so effective. That's very cool! I imagine that you guys vacuum and/or brush all the coal ash out before lighting the wood?

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 3:28 pm

I do a somewhat good job cleaning the stove, and try to get the pipe good. On my Chubby cleaning the pipe doesnt seem to matter, at least that I can see. But there is less coal burnt thru it than my other stove. I do open the bottom of my chimney for draft when Im done burning, putting a screen over it. I took some pics of my chimney this fall before burning, and will take some again this fall for comparison. My cap came off this winter, but I think it was the wind whipping it that did that, and not corrosion.

I should add, I do not clean the chimney after burning wood. And it does give a little soot smell at times. I don't use A/C so my windows take the smell out.

Both my stoves are in living areas, not basements, which would change everything with the added dampness. I really don't know if its as good as oil or other things, but its easy and it seems to work for me. I got the idea from another poster.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 4:32 pm

This was posted not too long ago...30 years in the same stove pipe...8 Inch Metasbestos Chimney Life?

Storm wrote:Oliver, have been burning both wood and coal (nut and pea). Graham, I also burn wood in the spring, The wood idea supports the creosote theory to preserve the inner liner. Franco, my chimney looks like your first photograph. Not rusty. Jim, your situation is same as mine. Where in Minnesota are you? I am east of La Crosse,Wi. We're do you get your coal? George

Post by **Lightning** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 5:13 pm

So when I'm done burning coal for the season I should just clean the coal ash out as good as possible and then run a few wood fires as needed. Also, I could run a wood fire at any point on a chilly night later in June. I could call it "standby mode" lol

Besides, I have yet to see what those secondary air distribution pipes would do for a wood fire...

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 6:57 pm

I just applied Fluid Film. Seems like nice stuff. Unless over-applied it stays put. I like that it is solvent free and non toxic as well. Lanolin (sheep's wool oil/grease) based.

Thanks for the pointer Lee!!!

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sat. Jun. 20, 2015 10:05 pm

I get Fluid Film by the gallon. Use it to spray underside of vehicles and to coat stored tools and parts to prevent rust. My summer dormant stoker needs very little as it is in a very dry air-conditioned space.