Burning a pop can in wood stove???

[Pcoz88]

Has any body else heard of this?? My father-in-law told me abouy this.He said it keeps the creasote(sp) from building up in the chimmey.His is always clean when I ck it.He hasn't had to clean his in years.

 

[livewire]

I've never heard of that, but you got me all sorts of curious.

What, just toss in an empty soda can from time to time? Do beer cans work too? I don't drink alot of soda, but beer cans, heck ya, I can do that!

Hope somebody chimes in on this one.

 

[my460]

I heard of it, not to sure about it also would like to know.

 

[mga]

must be the aluminum oxide..........

 

[EastwoodGang4]

cans

I've also heard of this..... and tried it. But i always seem to forget to throw one in after iv'e had a few (or more) beers. and once i didn't have a hot enough fire one night and i got a molten blob in my grate the next morning. Hope we don't have to call the mythbusters to solve this question.

 

[livewire]

I've also heard of this..... and tried it. But i always seem to forget to throw one in after iv'e had a few (or more) beers. and once i didn't have a hot enough fire one night and i got a molten blob in my grate the next morning. Hope we don't have to call the mythbusters to solve this question.

Ya MYTHBUSTERS!!! They'll show us the way!

I really want to hear from someone who swears by this. I'm getting closer (and drunker) to throwing the wifes recycling in there!

 

[livewire]

Okay y'all,

I've done a little probing on this subject. As I've read and understand it; 8 to 10 soda cans twice a year in the woodstove causes a chemical reaction between the dissimilar metals of the heated aluminum and chimney causing the creosote to flake off and fall to the burn chamber, bypass plate, elbows etc, etc.

From what I understand it does not render it inflammable, ie, the flaked off creosote will need to be removed from any elbows, or cleanouts.

I took note that no one knows how harmless or harmful it is to your stove or chimney in the long term. Also there are some air quality issues with burning aluminum.

So basically, the jury is still out about it's complete usefulness and risks. I'm sure a certified sweep would speak out against it but won't be able to provide scientific data as to why we should not.

As for me? Just wood for this kid!

 

[chowdozer]

Someone mentioned a tablespoon of TSP a few months ago.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=39217&highlight=tsp

 

[JeffHK454]

I heard of people using table salt, alu. cans, those little tubes you get at Lowes but I prefer the old fashioned way.

A couple times a year I get up on the roof with brush and rods an clean away! And yes ,every persons situation is different and some more dangerous than others but when we decided to heat with wood we agreed to take on the work that comes with it.

I wish there was something that could be tossed into the fire-box and keep my flue clean but I'll believe it when I see it.

Jeff

 

[Yellowdog]

must be the aluminum oxide..........

Someone should contact mythbusters and see if the guys can find a scientific analysis that will prove or disprove this. Interesting, though.