Anybody Use the Sooteater Cleaning System?

I used one this weekend. It made it real easy to go right through a rear exit stove, up a 90 degree bend and on up to the top, even cleaning the chimney cap. I mounted a large shop vac hose at the pipe and didn't spill a drop. For $59.00 it will keep me off the roof(and inside) during nasty weather.

Well fry my hide if that isn't the most inventive and safe ways to clean a chimney. I gonna get one...after paying what I did for gas this summer, 59 bucks is nothing, NOTHING

Ya know, I think I might just give one of those things a try. My Century stove won't permit a chimney brush to go up from the bottom, because of the way it's put together. But I bet I could sneak that weed-eater lookin' thing up in there and clean from the stove up. With 7/12 pitch tile roofs, I'd like to be able to do a mid-season sweep without going up top. I'm gonna check my local Ace Hardware, and if they don't have it, I'll shop online. I'll report back after I've seen what it can do. Rick

Wow, am I in heaven? Brilliant, Bravo. Must get one ASAP.......Like you said Rick perfect for mid season cleaning when you can't get on the roof.....Oh boy I will be like a kid at Christmas night tonight, only dreaming about dancing Sooteaters.... :lol:

fossil said:

..... I'm gonna check my local Ace Hardware, and if they don't have it, I'll shop online. I'll report back after I've seen what it can do. Rick

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Oh, don't worry- they got 'em in aisle 10, right next to the ferrets ;-) (you'll never live it down!)

brooktrout said:

...Oh, don't worry- they got 'em in aisle 10, right next to the ferrets ;-)...

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That's what I just love about Ace Hardware, they really know how to keep everything categorized. "Chimney cleaning?, Oh yes, sir...that'd be aisle 10...everything you'll need." %-P Rick

wb2glp said:

Has anyone used the Sooteater chimney sweep system? It was profiled on "Cool Tools" this weekend on the DIY channel.

http://gardusinc.com/sooteater/

It looks simple to use......but so does the Garden Weasel, Mighty Putty, Caulk Away...

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Back when I was in the Navy, we used a very similar device to clean our duct work. I can see this thing will work well for stages 1 & 2 creosote, but stage 3 I'm not sure if it will help, but it can't hurt.

Where do they sale them?

Good to know that someone here actually used one. Might be worth $60 to give it a try.

It's available online through Amazon & Ace ($67.05 with shipping) here: http://www.amazon.com/Gardus-RCH205-SootEater-Chim-System/dp/B0010H5JXA ... or HERE ($59.99 with free shipping).

Yup....that's where I got mine. Under sixty bucks with shipping. The fact that I don't have to get out the ladder/put away the ladder and get on the roof is worth the price of admission to me. It did a real good job but you either need a corded drill or an 18v-24v. It ran down the batt. on my 18v Makita by the time I was done. Next time I will use the D-handled 3/4 inch Makita. No arm twisting or batt. to wear down.
Joe

I'm a gotta see it kind of guy, I will stick with the 10 minutes on the roof with the brushes. It is a neat idea though!

I was the same way but 5-10 min. in the warm house beats 10-20 on a cold, steep assed roof any day. Along with NO measurable clean up. (or cap removal)

My chimneys about 22' hence would need extensions. 90.00 for three! I also have a race different size for fireplace so am considering ordering 2 full sets, then will have excess of rods and 2 seperate heads. Amazon reviews seem good- anybody else on the site use this?
I would probably still have a sweep out once a year or go from the top but this would be a great mid season solution.

I use a 1/2 inch drill with my 6 inch round brush and the standard rods I already have. The power spin from the drill gets the job done very nice and very quick but you can't reverse the rotation.

Gary

Am I reading that right ? They want more money for the extra rods than the whole setup?

Yup, really weird considering they give you 6 rods with the kit. Potter had it right with just buying two kits if you have a really long run.

6 rods come with the kit. That's 18' of rods. Additional rods are available for around $30/pair. The rods are 3' long. Rick

fossil said:

6 rods come with the kit. That's 18' of rods. Additional rods are available for around $30/pair. The rods are 3' long. Rick

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Where are you finding this. The prices I found were the Amazon and Ace links above- 2 would be plenty for me.

If you really decipher the crappy wording on the Ace page, you'll glean that the ~$90 price is for 3 sets of additional rods, or a total of 6, giving you 18 more feet. You can get a set of 2 for ~$30. Northline express makes it much more clear on their site:

http://www.northlineexpress.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=5GA-RCH205

Seems reasonable to me, considering the fact that the rods are quite obviously the most expensive part of the system. Rick

Being the DIYer that I am and the EL Cheepo always trying to save a buck by burning wood and coal. I would head down to the local ATV shop or Home depot and find an 8-9 foot long wip fiberglass antena.
I would remove the ends from one section of the kits 3 foot pieces and affix them to the fiberglass wip and gain 5 additional feet for my needs. If Epoxy glues can hold a golf club head on to a fiberglass or graphite shaft then it sure ought to be able to work on these fittings.

The spinning end up top looks to be nothing more then weed eater string attached to a plastic ball. Bet I could figure that out too.

Gary

fossil said:

If you really decipher the crappy wording on the Ace page, you'll glean that the ~$90 price is for 3 sets of additional rods, or a total of 6, giving you 18 more feet. You can get a set of 2 for ~$30. Northline express makes it much more clear on their site:

http://www.northlineexpress.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=5GA-RCH205

Seems reasonable to me, considering the fact that the rods are quite obviously the most expensive part of the system. Rick

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Be sure to update us on the performance of this new tool Rick.. If I didn't need 28-30' of rod for a cellar up cleaning I would consider this in addition to my brush and rod setup.. Adding rods is too expensive in my opinion..

Ray

OK.. After much thought, I finally broke down and ordered one of these. I know I can just buy a steel brush, some rope, and save 1/4 of what this cost, but I like to play with new gadgets. I ordered it from ACE on-line store. As soon as it gets in, I'll give it a review.