First fire of the season leaves creosote flakes on the ground

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leftyscott

Member
Apr 6, 2009
201
arkansas
Last sweep was a year ago/ have one scheduled later this month. Did fail at building a fire last week and did burn several pieces of newspaper in the attempt.
Had a small but hot fire last night.
Burn mostly seasoned oak last year.

Should I be worried? Thinking about making another fire today thinking if I don't see any creosote outside, I'm good to go.

Want to believe that burned newspaper, high winds, first fire caused this to happen.

If I see more creosote, I'll wait till I can get the sweeper here before more burns.

That sound reasonable? Nearest fire station over 10 miles away.
 
no one can tell you for sure w/o looking inside but my best guess is you are seeing remnants of the newspaper and/or junk hanging on the cap from last year. Windy days and first burn can bring that out for ya.

Personally I would burn but I don't like turning on my furnace and I can see inside my pipe if needed.
 
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Are you sure it's creosote? I am thinking more like news paper rembrants just like the above post.
 
It's glazed looking.
 
Get the flue swept.
The black crap may be dried out creo that came loose when the liner/flue heated up and expanded, then the draft pulled it up and outside onto the ground.
 
If you have a liner and top plate it is probably the crud that piles up on the top plate. Brushed a pile of it off when I went up to sweep the liners this week.
 
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