368. Narrowboat Stove and Flue Pipe Clean

It’s that time of year again, when I clean my Morso Squirrel 1410 stove and sweep the chimney flue. I also fit a new chimney cowl of a different type to that I've used previously.
In video No.82 filmed in September 2019, when I cleaned my stove, I found an unexpected part that shouldn’t have been there. To find out more, please take a look.
If you would like to buy me a cup of tea or make a one-off donation, please click here: paypal.me/mynarrowboatventure
My Facebook Channel: mynarrowboatventure/
My Instagram Channel: my.narrowboat.venture
Thanks for watching and if you have enjoyed, please like, subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications of future videos and of course please comment!
I also have a You Tube channel about Heritage subjects, which may be of interest:
www.youtube.com/@InterestInHeritage

[@geraldwilde1120]

Lovely video Alan been watching you for a while look forward to your next video Regards Gerald

[@InterestInHeritage]

Thank you so much Gerald, kind of you to say.All the best.

[@stevehoare6378]

Evening Alan, not a pleasant job to have to undertake, but with winter quickly approaching and the days drawing in, a nice warm fire is essential. I thought you did a cracking job, and as you say, you are set fair until the spring sunshine. Stay safe and warm and thanks for sharing..🍷🍷

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Evening Steve. It’s not a job I look forward to but it is satisfying when done. The fire is burning well and keeping me nice and warm. All the best, take care 🥂

[@robinl.a.matheson1838]

Great teaching video on how a flue & stove are properly cleaned🙂 Really enjoyed seeing you do as fastidious job as I think I would. Cheers!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That’s very kind of you to say, thanks for your appreciation. All the best.

[@Rovinman]

Always good to have a good clean-out of your flue ! Heidi Manning {The Narrowboat Pirate }, has just done hers ! So it seems to be that time of the year ! She cheats and uses a vacuum cleaner, {ha ha ! But still gets covered in soot !}. Always lovely to see your Vlogs ! Thanks Alan, Take care, Stay safe ! Stu xx

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Stu, it can be a messy job but I seem to get better at it each year. First year I did it, don’t think it had been done for several years, so was very messy. I noted Heidi had done her flue clean. Thanks for watching, all the best 🤠

[@IJ_uk]

Took Heidi ages to get hers off. I’ve just sent her a 5 second clip of how it’s done here 😂

[@Rovinman]

@@IJ_uk Thank you !

[@StevesRepairs]

Thanks Alan, that's a great job done ready for winter and you'll be warm and toasty during the colder months. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Stevie, it’s a job I don’t like doing but it’s good to get it out of the way. All the best, keep safe.

[@HellyAvard-xt6mz]

Well done Alan I haven’t watched for awhile so it was good to hear your voice again

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Helly, I hope you’re keeping well. All the best.

[@richardjensen6753]

Hello from Kansas! Here in America, they sell brushes that come without a rod for the handle. You have to buy the rods separate and they are about 4' long with a thread on one end and a nut on the other so you buy as many rods as you need (or make a rod like I do) and thread them together. My grandpa made his using bits of cable cut to fit the chimney and sandwiched them between two plates with a bunch of weights on top with an eye bolt to tie a rope to and he'd lower and raise it up and down his chimney to clean it out. I made one myself. I need to make another one for my second chimney, now that I have a second stove. Thanks!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Richard, we have exactly the same rods and brush head set over here for sweeping chimneys. You may know of my involvement with a steam museum, and cleaning the boiler tubes has always been an interesting topic. Various methods of brush head tried, as whatever is used soon wear out including stainless steel. Thanks for commenting.

[@jennybailey6842]

Hi Alan, I enjoyed watching you use the brushes! You did a really good job cleaning your stove. It looked really good afterwards. xx

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Jenny, thank you for your great comment, it’s not a job I look forward to, but it’s one that must be done and satisfying when it’s over xx

[@grantpeachey6908]

Alan not looking at the shorts or your nee z butt the grey soxs good choice LOL reminding me of my log cabin days and a job i do not miss any more at all brings back memory s though love the vids Alan keep them coming

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Grant, I’m glad you like my style😁. It’s not a job I like forward to but satisfying when done. All the best.

[@terrycrane9459]

You cleaning out your stove reminds me of the old 1950's British Transport Films about the wash and brush up of the steam locos

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Less work for me though than a steam loco with it's huge firebox. Cheers

[@bobt3374]

Hi Alan. That is a another tick off the list before winter . Take care.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Bob, you too.

[@sandyprosser805]

Hi Alan loved the video it’s all go to keep lazydays up to scratch it’s nice to have darker nights to have a rest, and rest ready for summer season. Have great week 😊

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Sandy. Thanks for your appreciation, I agree but it does get dark very early now. I like the idea of a rest though🤠. You too have a good week.

[@DaveJohns61]

Great job, Alan. After watching you do this, it's prompted me to do my chimney and flue, which I haven't done yet this year. I have a diesel stove and I normally clean the inside every couple of weeks. Thankfully there is no ash to get rid of, just dust and carbon deposits.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Dave, it’s not a job all boaters think about, the first year I did it was the worst, as I don’t think it had been done for many years. A number of boaters in the marina have changed to diesel this year. I still enjoy lighting a conventional fire, must be a childhood thing.

[@darrenraymond5334]

Always wear a mask for this job ,great work.😁

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I know it makes sense but not the first thing I think of. Many thanks.

[@brodie2711]

Thank you Alan for showing the everyday jobs that show the boating experiences even though it must make things awkward for you. Bye for now. Stephen

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Stephen, I hope you're keeping well. It's another of the jobs that I do annually, never look forward to it but satisfying once it's done. All the best, take care.

[@jimbucher1049]

Just a great through job...always so enjoy your videos....take care and see you again !!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much Jim, much appreciated. Take care.

[@mickclark427]

Hello Alan mick from Hull really enjoyed this episode hope you are well and I will look forward to your next episode 😊😊

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much Mick, hope all is well with you, take care 🤠

[@michaelhiggins7365]

Awesome DY as always Alan. Well done.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed watching.

[@MrOVERANOUT]

It was interesting to compare your method with that of Heidi, who struggled to remove her roof chimney. Your method seemed much easier. Now you have got over the flue, 😂 you are ready for winter and your stove will burn that much more efficiently. The chimney cowl looked as if it will be secure. Thanks for filming it again Alan, it's never boring. 😊

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I notice Heidi had published today about her flue clean and had difficulty getting the chimney off, which is not an uncommon problem. The fire is burning well and so far I seem to be using less coal, as I have an extra fire brick at the back reducing the grate size, which I didn't have last year. Thanks for commenting, all the best.

[@castingshadows282]

Highlight of the Autumn having the chimney swept ready for Father Christmas and the soot for Dads Rose and flower beds. Never a dull moment. Great job yet again Alan.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much, it's satisfying when done but not a job I look forward to. All the best, take care.

[@christopherbutler7588]

Well done 👏

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kenn879]

Chim chiminey, Chim chiminey, Chim chim cher-ee! A sweep is as lucky,As lucky can be. On the roof, the only place I know Where you just have to wish to make it so. maybe a wingnut on the cowl bolt would assist removal. Fire up and keep warm.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I agree Kenn, a wing nut is a good idea, it's something I don't have presently and I can't always find when I think of it. I bought some thumbnail bolts for my aerial for convenience putting it up and down but got the wrong size!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid on the channel get boat all set four winter thanks lee

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for your comment Lee, all the best, take care.

[@welshpiper62]

Well Alan you say it wasnt too bad but still a dirty job that has too be done looked quite messy from my point of view wouldnt like to see a stove/chimney that has been left for over 2 or more years, wishing you well Alan hope the coming winter is good to you boaters and live aboards looked quiet in the marina lots of boats out .Take the utmost care Alan.👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It's not a job I look forward to but very satisfying when it's done. Thanks for your good wishes for winter, some boats were out and others on the hardstand having work done. All the best, take care.

[@earlelf3142]

good job, a dust mask is quite good.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

A dust mask is never the first thing I think of, but should do.

[@andytrewin]

Thanks Alan ~ great video ~ Kind regards AndyT (W-s-M)

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Glad you enjoyed it Andy, thanks for watching.

[@hughcarson6837]

Good job done cheep

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Many thanks Hugh.

[@smiley800]

Hello Alan, could you put a small fan at the top of the stack blowing outward to pull all of the dust that is created when cleaning the stove? Not sure how well that would work but I can't imagine all of that dust coming inside. Yuk.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

The dust is contained within the stove, so it’s not really an issue. A fan wound need to suck out the dust and be fully sealed, so not really practical.

[@paulturner7837]

That’s a job well done Alan. There was lots of debris from the chimney top. Was that because it’s more exposed do you think? The new chimney cap looks good. I think the way it fits on top is going to be better than the legs that fit inside. Thanks for the vlog,have a great weekend 👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Paul. I think the chimney is of poor quality, but as I don’t take it down, it is out in all weathers, so is more prone to rust. You too have a fab weekend🤠

[@Chappers.Gaming]

I really love a multi fuel stove, but this is the reason people go for the Reflux stove.. im in two minds on what one to get... I love s good fire place, but the simplest thing of the reflux stove is just so handy, you just light it keep it running switch it off end of winter.. no ash or anything.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Last year 4 boaters here changed to a Reflux stove, one had a modification to their solid fuel stove. I don’t really know anything about them but having heard them discussed, I think there’s more to it than lighting it and forgetting it. So please make sure you understand what’s involved. Cheers

[@Chappers.Gaming]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture it's pretty much that, from other KZbinrs who have one, you light it and forget, well.. you have to of course fuel it so that would be a header tank when low if it's not in the main diesel tank, fill it up when needs must. Of course you have your after winter maintenance of checking the burner pot, cleaning up any residue, hardly any mess. Other then that simple :) light it, turn it up to desired temp, once hot turn down and leave. It's like a boiler once on its on kinda thing. But you do service checks. I love the idea of one my only issue would be cost of diesel and only relying on that!.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@Chappers.Gaming There is of course the initial cost of installation as well. There are definitely advantages, lugging 'coal' around is not always easy, I hope you're happy wth whatever you decide.

[@martinworrall5888]

Very informative vlog Alan. Any reason that you don’t use a vacuum cleaner to get the last bit of dust out of the stove?

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Martin. After the first few fires that dust in the corners will be back, so I don't see a need.

[@mosschops1974]

Hi Alan - would you mind saying where you got your cowl from. Mine keeps blowing off in the wind and the one you have looks perfect!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Rachel. I bought it from Lower Park Marina, Barnoldswick, Lancs. It was the last one they had, all the others were of the three legged type. I’d not seen that style before and was pleased to get it.

[@mosschops1974]

Thank you Alan!

[@stephengardiner9867]

Well, your narrowboat is basically a BIG chunk of mostly iron...and iron does not like being iron...it really wants to be iron oxide, iron hydroxide, iron sulphide... anything other than steel. Heat speeds the process (and eventually destroys the stove chimney from the inside out), as does immersion in water (hence the sacrificial anodes on the hull). There is a saying "rust never sleeps". It was funny to see that wee spider "heading for the hills" at 11:25!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Stephen, just need to start with a much thicker chimney to make it last longer. Quality is very poor, so I’m not surprised it’s short lived. Don’t remember the spider but they’re often on the lens. All the best.

[@10clivey1]

Hi Alan, just wondered if you have a carbon monoxide detector on board? I expect you do.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Clive. Of course I have, wouldn’t be without it and necessary for Boat Safety certificate.

[@agfbuilding]

BAT strap , BAT being the manufacturers name

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for that, cheers.

[@miscreant67]

Dont you have a rain top over your chimney? Its no wonder its so rusty, soot is acidic by nature and water will accelerate oxidisation of the inside. Watch it doesnt cause rust down the flue too. I hope you keep your carbon monoxide alarms tested and up to date. Great video.

[@miscreant67]

I wrote this while watching the video. I'm glad you bought the cowl. On our boat we have a small cap which we can use instead of leaving the chimney on. This seals the top of the flue at times of the year when the stove isn't being used. Remember we're in the UK and it rains in summer and the cowl won't stop water blowing into your chimney when the stove isn't lit.

[@nicholassimpson5646]

Great video Alan when you do videos like this they are so helpful its so painfull to vlogers that do the job so bad just swip chimney without taking bricks out then moan the fire don't burn properly I tell them your video number because they so helpful keep up these great vlogs

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Many thanks, the last cowl blew off in the wind and I couldn't find it anywhere, despite an extensive search in the water around the boat and on land. My alarms are up to date thanks. Cheers

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That's very kind of you to say Nicholas, thank you so much for watching and commenting.

[@groutmanalan5156]

Hi Alan. Great vlog, as usual. As someone has already said, flue gases are quire corrosive. Does anyone make these flue parts in stainless steel?

[@naughtysquirrellyndatee96]

All tidy.. well done🩵

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Lynda 🩷