Inline spark arrestor/stack robber

cdods

FNG
Joined
Aug 13, 2017
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31
Location
Cheyenne, Wyoming
I'm looking for experiences with inline spark arrestors/stack robbers for cylinder wood stoves. Right now I use mesh on top of the nesting pipe. In particular I'm looking curious if the spark arrestor becomes clogged faster, disrupts airflow, and how much it increases the heating ability of the cylinder stove.
 
I used an inline arrestor once on a winter hunt. It clogged while my buddy and I were sleeping. Not very fun waking up unable to breathe in a tent full of smoke and have to run out the tent in your shorts when it's well below zero and thinking the tent is on fire. We had to quickly remove the pipe, pull off the arrestor, throw it out the door and quickly replace the hot pipe (2 man operation for sure). The arrestor was not accessible without removing the pipe. I won't even think about an inline again and would rather have ember holes in my tent. I've seen some that are accessible from outside the pipe that can be cleaned but I still won't use any type of inline again. I was using dry spruce and willows because that was all that was available.
 
The fewer obstructions and devices between the stove and the outer end of the flue pipe, the better. I'm not saying it can't be made to work. I'm saying it's a complication which can create potential difficulties. Once you get smoked out....and I mean REALLY smoked out in a tent....you tend to do whatever is necessary to never have it happen again. It happened to me once. Walking into the tipi was like living inside a smelly fireplace. My gear all smelled smoky for days.
 
My understanding is also that these tend to clog up a lot faster than the top of chimney spark arrestors. Reason being that they are so much closer to the source of creosote, and they catch what would otherwise deposit on the inside of the chimney pipe, or exhaust out the top of it.
 
I put the spark arrestor at the very bottom of the stove pipe, below the damper. If it starts fouling I can remove it in a hurry. It also allows me to look in at it and see that it’s clean.
I’ve previously run without it and over a weeks time that ends up being a lot of holes in the shelter.
I’ve also run with it above and that’s unsettling. Running out the front door with your stove in hand is no way to go.


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