I've read discussions here of brush and rods for cleaning the exhaust ducting on stoves but not on cleaning the heat exchage pipes (that fill up with ash thus reducing good heat production). I have an old worn out 2.5" diameter wire brush with a 30" flexible twisted wire handle (see photo) that I am currently using but I was wondering if there are other alternatives that might better access the turns up in the tubes. Heat output increases alot after this type of cleaning. I doubt a 3" diameter brush head would navigate the tube turns and this is the size I see for sale in most stores around here. The one I am currently using has pretty badly worn wire bristles.
Any suggestions for alternative brushes that have proven to work effectively or where I can find a replacement for my worn one?
Thanks!
DexterDay-- I checked out that old tool thread. A couple of people hooked up hoses to their vacs, possibly to thread through the heat exchange tubes. I may try this. If the hose goes through the bends easily enough it might accomplish the removal of ash much faster than my present process. Then I could scrape the pipes with the brush every couple of months just to get any caked on ash loose and then use the vacuum.
Isn't the lint brush minimally 3" in diameter? Does it make the turns at the top of the tubes in your stove? I would think it would hang up but I could be wrong.
Don-- The photos in the thread you referred me to seem to be concerned with cleaning the outside of the heater pipes, not the inside. Maybe yours is a differently designed stoves. I'm using a Harman Invincible insert.
Ifixmy2-- 12 gauge shotgun brush has potential. Let me know how it works out.
sandpipe said:
DexterDay-- I checked out that old tool thread. A couple of people hooked up hoses to their vacs, possibly to thread through the heat exchange tubes. I may try this. If the hose goes through the bends easily enough it might accomplish the removal of ash much faster than my present process. Then I could scrape the pipes with the brush every couple of months just to get any caked on ash loose and then use the vacuum.
Isn't the lint brush minimally 3" in diameter? Does it make the turns at the top of the tubes in your stove? I would think it would hang up but I could be wrong.
Don-- The photos in the thread you referred me to seem to be concerned with cleaning the outside of the heater pipes, not the inside. Maybe yours is a differently designed stoves. I'm using a Harman Invincible insert.
Ifixmy2-- 12 gauge shotgun brush has potential. Let me know how it works out.
Not the lint brush to clean the dryer vent itself. Its about 1.5" in diameter and I have seen them as Short as 8" on a flexible rod, or as Long as 18" with a hard 18" handle. These brushes are designed to clean out the lint trap area on the dryer. I have found one that has a hard handle and the bristles keep there shape and fullness. Every weekend I run this brush between the heat exchange tubes. Long enough to go all the way down the channel on the Quad, getting the entire length of the tube.
Clean tubes (stove) = More heat
After much research at Grainger and a few other sites I found this Tough Guy Furnace brush which looks like it might replace my old brush and possibly improve on the results. The brush tapers from 1" to 2" so it should make tight turns easier. The flexible wire handle is 42" overall length From Drillspot via Google shopping, delivery is free and there is no sales tax. Here's the link to the item in case anyone has a similarly designed stove with internally accessible tubes and is looking for a brush for cleaning the insides:
(broken link removed to http://www.drillspot.com/products//Tough_Guy_2FCD5_Furnace_Brush)
My only slight concern is that the bristles are nylon and not wire but the tubes in my Harman seem to fill up with powdery ash so I think this will do the trick. If not it's back to the search.
sandpipe said:
After much research at Grainger and a few other sites I found this Tough Guy Furnace brush which looks like it might replace my old brush and possibly improve on the results. The brush tapers from 1" to 2" so it should make tight turns easier. The flexible wire handle is 42" overall length From Drillspot via Google shopping, delivery is free and there is no sales tax. Here's the link to the item in case anyone has a similarly designed stove with internally accessible tubes and is looking for a brush for cleaning the insides:
(broken link removed to http://www.drillspot.com/products//Tough_Guy_2FCD5_Furnace_Brush)
My only slight concern is that the bristles are nylon and not wire but the tubes in my Harman seem to fill up with powdery ash so I think this will do the trick. If not it's back to the search.
tried a similar one and this is what I found, the small end is to small for the inside of the tube,
the end of the brush hits the end of the tube but the bristles do not touch the inside
so if i run in the straight bristle brush in , it cleans the end of the tube and more residue comes out
hope this makes sense