Is stove flue or chimney condensation real?

Can you post a picture of it? Where does it appear to be coming from? It could be liquid creosote if you're smoldering the fire, but pics would help confirm this.

It is condensation. That's condensated creosote. You may be closing the stove down too fast, too much, or your wood isn't quite seasoned. Check your wood dryness first and then consider not closing the damper as much.

Your chimney pipes may be installed incorrectly. They need to be put together so the higher ones are inserted into the lower ones. It seems kind of backwards because you think the smoke would seep out, but it won't. The draft of the chimney keeps the smoke inside.

No, the stove's finish is not ruined. However, I would inspect my flue were I to wake up in your shoes. Oak is notorious for taking a long time to properly dry, and if you have liquid creosote dripping onto the stove, you could be prime for a chimney fire.

Is your flue or roof easy to access?

You have wood issues. 70% dry means 30% moisture content. Yiou need dry wood. Right now you have a creosote generator. Get some very dry wood and mix a little of your oak with it. You won't have an ideal burn, but better than now.

You really need to tend to your chimney. Get it cleaned ASAP that gooey mess can lead to tragedy.

So this is an existing masonry flue that's been relined with a stainless liner? Or am I reading too much into that?

countrybois said:

Your chimney pipes may be installed incorrectly...

Click to expand...

Not really...

Chimney sections are designed opposite to single wall smoke pipe. That said, some people will reverse the smoke pipe so that crimps are down. That usually requires that you make a male-male section for the top and a female-female section for the bottom. It does help mitigate the dripping creosote issue but it is just akin to killing the messenger. Fix it at the root, that being wet wood and not hot enough flue temps.