I Almost Relapsed!

I'll admit, sometimes I get damn impatient. But, I put up with a lot of shit from this stove. At first it worked perfectly and my studio was all snug and toasty, hot water ready for the taking.

Little by little it quit drawing. I blamed the down draft, the warm temperatures, my over use of glossies as starter paper.

Finally after a nice layer of ash covered all, I decided to take the outside pipe apart and remove whatever blockage that was hindering it, or throw the damn thing out.

Well, I calmed down, drank several stout cups of black coffee and took the bottom elbow apart. The tiny chunks of creosote fell loose, I scraped the elbow clean. Glancing up at the screen-spark arrester, Voila, a Duh moment hit me like a ton of bricks. I climbed a ladder, removed the screening. All was totally blocked. It amazing any smoke could get through the sludge.

Now, happily all is back in order, me and my stove are great friends again. I kissed it and promised to be a better mommy.

Seriously, I must have the screen cause we're surrounded by dense forest, but the screen must be maintained.
And, no more unseasoned pine is seeing the inside of my baby.

Just saying, thanks for listening.