Fire-side flue brush for Smoky Lake drop flue?

[Userj8670]

Hi all-

Bought a 2x4 Smoky Lake hybrid pan recently and am told to brush the flues before each use to maximize efficiency.

I have 8 drop flues measuring 5" deep, 30" long by .75" wide. There is 1 1/4" space between each flue.

What's everyone using for a brush that would fit ?

[ecolbeck]

I use a grill brush shoved in the end of a pvc pipe. Like the type here https://www.thedad.com/safe-grill-brush/

[Dirtdummy]

Hi all-

Bought a 2x4 Smoky Lake hybrid pan recently and am told to brush the flues before each use to maximize efficiency.

I have 8 drop flues measuring 5" deep, 30" long by .75" wide. There is 1 1/4" space between each flue.

What's everyone using for a brush that would fit ?what is the distance from the flues to the arch? Thanks.

[Ross]

I have that same pan and use this brush from Bascom.
https://bascommaple.com/products/bldf?_pos=2&_sid=8047d4dc3&_ss=r

[Userj8670]

I have that same pan and use this brush from Bascom.
https://bascommaple.com/products/bldf?_pos=2&_sid=8047d4dc3&_ss=r


I actually ended up buying that brush shortly after posting. Had my maiden boil on the pan last night - boils great but threw sap EVERYWHERE...what a mess.

How often do you find yourself cleaning the inside of the flues (syrup side)?

[fisheatingbagel]

I had the same issue with sap flying everywhere. I clamp a piece of aluminum sheet to the side of the pan to contain the splashing.

As far as brushing, I do a quick brush before every firing. Only takes a minute and lots of "stuff" falls off ;-)

[Userj8670]

I had the same issue with sap flying everywhere. I clamp a piece of aluminum sheet to the side of the pan to contain the splashing.

As far as brushing, I do a quick brush before every firing. Only takes a minute and lots of "stuff" falls off ;-)



Thanks for the reply! What do you use to clean the outside of the pan/stainless that will remove all this burnt sap/syrup that won't scratch the stainless?

Also, can you post a pic of your 'deflectors'?

Thanks again!

Jim

[Ross]

How deep is your sap level in the pan that you are having that much trouble with sap splashing?

[Pdiamond]

i just use a dish rag and hot water.

[Userj8670]

How deep is your sap level in the pan that you are having that much trouble with sap splashing?

I filled the pan to 2" deep (measuring with a tape measure from the top of the flues). I marked the depth in my sight glass and that's where I run it.

[fisheatingbagel]

Sorry it took me so long to respond, just finishing up our season here. Here's a picture of the deflector. I'm planning to make one out of stainless that clips on the handle22095

[Userj8670]

Sorry it took me so long to respond, just finishing up our season here. Here's a picture of the deflector. I'm planning to make one out of stainless that clips on the handle22095

Thanks for the reply - hopefully you had a great season.

Few more questions for you if you don't mind.

- how often do you clean the inside of your pan & flues and what do u used for cleaning the flues? I was looking at the Leader brush

- any remedy for getting burnt sap off the outside of the pan closest to the stack? Used a microfiber and hot water but some of it will not budge. I attached a pic of the area in question for reference. This is prior to cleaning.

Thanks!

[fisheatingbagel]

I usually don't clean the inside of the flue pan at all during the season. You shouldn't be getting much or any nitre build up there. For brushing the outside of the flues, I made my own brush using a stainless grill brush from Lowes; I welded a 4 ft handle to it.
It looks like you need some insulation between your pan and stack base. As far as cleaning it now, I wouldn't worry about it. Put some insulation board in there and try cleaning it after the season. You could put cleaning vinegar in a storage tote, set the end of the pan in there and let it soak for a day.