Maintaining a Wood Stove Chimney Pipe

Having installed a wood burning stove is just the first step towards experiencing comfort in the long, cold months. It is also important to keep it in good condition with proper maintenance, along with taking proper care of the wood stove chimney pipe.

Maintaining a Wood Stove Chimney

Follow a few basic steps and see your stove deliver the best for you.

Schedule cleaning: A clog-free chimney works efficiently. Before and after every season make sure to get the chimney cleaned.

Regular Inspections: The chimney pipe is the exhaust of the stove through which the smoke curls out. Schedule regular check-ups of this part to keep it clean and clear. That would ensure blockage-free functioning. Get a professional to inspect the wood stove chimney pipe, not just the stove before the start of the season to detect problems, if any. This is a safety practice that helps fix snags that may develop later.

Provide cover: Be it a single-store or multiple-store house, a chimney pipe should always be covered up. This is important from the safety aspect since it helps protect the pipe against any possible damages.

Use good quality wood: Good quality wood for a stove should be dry and seasoned. Wood needs to be dried for at least six months to make it suitable for burning in a stove. Seasoned wood burns better and gives off less smoke, helping the stove function better.

Burn small, hot fires: A small but hot fire requires less fuel, burns efficiently, gives off less creosote and hence, leads to lesser deposits of creosote in the chimney pipe. All of this together helps the stove function better.

Cap the chimney: An open chimney gives an open invitation to debris as well as birds. This could be hazardous to both the bird and the chimney. Provide a cover for the chimney to avoid such instances.

Like every other appliance a wood stove chimney pipe and the stove both need regular maintenance to get the most out of them.