Tried Ron's advice an it worked. Gunk removed. Should have done it on the inside as well. Hope before/after pics will show.
[url=https://postimg.cc/y3VXXxbz][img]https://i.postimg.cc/y3VXXxbz/20241005-111534.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://postimg.cc/Nym13Rhc][img]https://i.postimg.cc/Nym13Rhc/20241007-145219.jpg[/img][/url]
also did some more trial and error.....stopped using the damper and cleaned more regularly the stove pipes.