Fisher Type Stove Folks - Question

I try to keep my flu temps at 300 or better for most of the burn. My insulated SS (flex) liner is also a big improvement over dumping the exhaust into the original clay tile flu. Much better draft and easier to control.
The only time I had a chimney fire (that I know of) was when my wife decided to burn several loads of cardboard while I was passed out. I went outside the next morning and it took me a minute to realize where all the little black flecks came from. There were everywhere!
With regard to sweeping. I start the season with a clean chimney & stovepipe. I sweep again when I notice a loss in draft, or when my wife starts complaining about smoke spillage when she reloads. Usually about mid season (mid to late Jan.). I've never measured the amount of creosote after a sweep because it gets brushed down below the liner into an ash pit at the bottom of the chimney. I clean out the pit when the junk gets up to the cleanout door, which is a couple feet below the "Tee" on the bottom of the liner. The creosote is usually a fine, grainy texture with some bigger hunks here and there. I also use one scoop of anti creosote powder (on a hot fire) once per week. This seems to keep the buildup dry and grainy, and it brushes right out.
Also in keeping with a popular theme of this site...seasoned wood helps keep the buildup at bay.

Hot clean burning fires and high flu gas temps are the best deterrent to creosote build-up. On our chimney we get direct feedback on how well we're doing based on the chimney cap... If the underside of the chimney cap and the screen get shiny oily looking residue on them (visible from the ground) then it's time for some fire stoking.