Chimney cleaning question

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mfglickman

mfglickman

Minister of Fire
Jan 17, 2012
676
NW CT
We cleaned our chimney this weekend (yay!) first time since end of October.

Used the Sooteater and it was easy.

Our stack is about 20 feet I think. We took the cap off and cleaned it with a wire brush. There was shiny black sandy stuff around the grate - just clinging to the metal, not blocking any holes at all.

From brushing the chimney we got I'd say between a quart and half gallon of black fluffy stuff. We touched it and it was not at all sticky, and it did not smell. And maybe a half cup of black shiny pieces that I'm sure were creosote (these pieces were like small pebbles in size).

So my question - is the black stuff necessarily creosote, if it is fluffy and not sticky? I think the answer is yes but wanted to get your opinion.


Thanks!
 
I just posted a thread about a sweep I did last Friday - also burning since Oct but only weekends (a few extra days in there but only a week or so total).

The black fluffy stuff was what I got - nothing shiny - it was just powder (by the time the brush pushed it out anyway). I think some sites may refer to this kind of soot as "1st stage creosote" - I'm not sure if that implies it's not as much of a concern as the shiny glazed stuff...? I guess it's all creosote but in different stages / forms....?
 
Black is creosote. But from what you describe Mary, I would not be too concerned.

fwiw, when we cleaned our chimney (4 years ago) and got about a cup of soot, it was all white and brown. There was absolutely no black to be found. For kicks, we might clean it out again this spring.
 
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bag of hammers said:
I guess it's all creosote but in different stages / forms....?
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With the exception of ash - yep, you are correct. That thin flaky stuff isn't of big concern. Its the shiny or gooey stuff you want to watch out for. Or even the cheese puff looking stuff - that is a sign of a chimney fire.
 
Thanks all! I guess it would be best if we'd insulate the liner - but now that it's in place I've no idea how to do that. :(
 
Backwoods Savage said:
Black is creosote. But from what you describe Mary, I would not be too concerned.

fwiw, when we cleaned our chimney (4 years ago) and got about a cup of soot, it was all white and brown. There was absolutely no black to be found. For kicks, we might clean it out again this spring.
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Dennis, what's the secret to being able to go so long between cleanings?
 
I am on 4 years without a brush. Upon inspection (every year) it would just be wasted time for me. I burn hot and with dry wood. Even the mesh on my cap is all but perfectly clean.
 
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Jags said:
I am on 4 years without a brush. Upon inspection (every year) it would just be wasted time for me. I burn hot and with dry wood. Even the mesh on my cap is all but perfectly clean.
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Jags, I am amazed at what you and Dennis are getting out of good wood and proper burns. Going to do the first cleaning in May. We will see how that turns out.
 
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NortheastAl said:
Jags, I am amazed at what you and Dennis are getting out of good wood and proper burns. Going to do the first cleaning in May. We will see how that turns out.
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I don't advertise it too much, cuz I don't want anybody to go thinking that "its good for Jags, so its good for me".

Please let me stress again - It gets YEARLY inspection. Every third year I call a pro for a different set of eyeballs. He has ALSO not swept it the last two inspections and gives me an evil eye, cuz now he can only charge me for a house call. No work involved.
 
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PapaDave said:
He must be a glutton for punishment if he keeps coming back.;)
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I pay him $60 to show up and tell me I am doing everything right and the equipment is in proper order. He better not complain.::P He is out in under 20 minutes.
 
Jags said:
I don't advertise it too much, cuz I don't want anybody to go thinking that "its good for Jags, so its good for me".

Please let me stress again - It gets YEARLY inspection. Every third year I call a pro for a different set of eyeballs. He has ALSO not swept it the last two inspections and gives me an evil eye, cuz now he can only charge me for a house call. No work involved.
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It definitely shows there are ways of burning that can consistently keep the chimney clean. Burning truly seasoned wood being one of those ways.
 
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NortheastAl said:
It definitely shows there are ways of burning that can consistently keep the chimney clean. Burning truly seasoned wood being one of those ways.
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You have learned much, grasshopper.;)
 
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Jags said:
You have learned much, grasshopper.;)
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There's lots to learn. Just grateful there is a wealth of knowledge here.
 
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NortheastAl said:
Jags, I am amazed at what you and Dennis are getting out of good wood and proper burns. Going to do the first cleaning in May. We will see how that turns out.
Click to expand...

They sure have it down to a science. Probably not too many sizzlers in those stoves.
 
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NortheastAl said:
Dennis, what's the secret to being able to go so long between cleanings?
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No secret at all. Good dry firewood and a super clean burning stove. Have I ever mentioned on this forum about burning dry wood? If not, I'll highly recommend it right now. ;)
 
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ddddddden said:
Dennis has magic wood.;lol
YMMV.
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No, no, no . . . no magic wood . . . he has a magic poker . . . he has mentioned this magic poker and how amazed his wife is with his proficiency with the magic poker. Says he uses the poker to move some wood around that was doing nothing and voila . . . the fire springs to life, amazing his wife.
 
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Backwoods Savage said:
No secret at all. Good dry firewood and a super clean burning stove. Have I ever mentioned on this forum about burning dry wood? If not, I'll highly recommend it right now. ;)
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Nope, never heard you mention dry wood once. Maybe a couple hundred times, but never only once.
 
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