Taybrite - is it safe to use with stainless steel liners?

A._Badger

A recent poster suggested that the burning of Taybrite may have been responsible for corrosion of the stainless steel liner connected to her multifuel stove. Taybrite, it was said, is a high sulphur fuel and alternative smokeless products might be better in this regard,

Having personally recently switched to Taybrite, from Maxibrite (it's a lot cheaper, doesn't crumble and burns just as well in my stove), I found this comment worrying - not least because I have just paid to have my chimney re-lined for a new stove and have no intention of doing so again for a very long while!

In the hope of getting a definitive answer, today I called the Solid Fuel Association who have confirmed that, as an 'approved' smokeless fuel, Taybrite has below 2 per cent sulphur content and that the problem of corroded liners is less an issue of which approved fuel that you burn, than how you burn it.

According to the SFA, slow burning, where stoves are kept slumbering overnight, or when they are generally run cool (being connected to a boiler was an example mentioned) can give rise to condensation in the liner, resulting in the production of hydrochloric and sulphuric acid.

The original grade of stainless steel offered for chimney lining (it's known as '316') came with a ten year guarantee, but where stoves were driven in this way, it was found that the liners were sometimes not lasting even that long. More recently, a more substantial grade has been offered with a 25 year guarantee.

The issue of condensation will not come as news per se to seasoned stove users as it has long been said that wood condensation can cause similar problems - again, especially if a stove is under-driven. But it does suggest that Taybrite isn't, in itself, an issue.

The thoughtful customer, of course, might think twice about spending a small fortune buying an expensive stove and having a chimney lined, if they were told that it may need re-lining in a few years time, unless they buy an even more expensive liner - and even then, that they might have to face a bill for re-lining in a few years.

Either way, I hope this information is of use to anyone who read that earlier post about Taybrite and was worried.

w50nky

Thanks for looking into this. I will be having a liner fitted later this year and will be fitting 904 grade liner. It will cost appox £60 more for me but this should give a longer interval between replacement. (I hope!)

On flue systems website their liners are listed as below.

316 grade is listed as suitable for - Gas, oil, coal, coke, cured dry logs or cured dry peat. 10 year manufacturers replacement of product (subject to conditions)

904 is listed as suitable for - Gas, oil, coal, coke, cured dry logs, cured dry peat or smokeless fuels. 20 year manufacturers replacement of product (subject to conditions).

I guess they do not recommend 316 for most smokeless fuels.

crphillips

Fluesystem.com's flue liner is made by docherty's and is of very poor quality.....it;s very light in weight and very flexible. Docherty's liner contains 50% less steel than Specflues and most other reputable makes.

316 is fine.......just don't buy poor quality 316.....if your running a boiler then you'd be best with 904.....if you see yourself staying in your house for the next 3 years then you may as well get the 904.

soursweet

With roofing tiles you start at the lowest part and tile up the roof - finishing at the ridge - so rain water cannot run into the property

Chimney liners are the same as roofing tiles designed to only be fitted one way and the amount I get to see as a chimney sweep fitted incorrectly (ie upside down) Worries me - The liners are designed for condensate to travel one way - If it cannot it will start to break down the liner.

The best quality liner in my opinion is made by specflue. Always check the fitting company out.

Hope this helps

James The Sweep

Tunbridge Wells