Cleaned chimney without removing baffles, wahoo!

[burleymike]

The first time I cleaned the chimney I decided there had to be a better way than removing the burn tubes, vermiculite boards, and the fiber blanket on top of them.

This time I went up on the roof, climbed up on the chimney, ran the brush a few times, and put the cap back on. Then I went to the shop got my shop vac and set it by the front door. I have an old swimming pool vacuum hose which I connected to the shop vac. I was able to suck all the soot right out from above the vermiculite boards. Not like last time with ash and soot all over the hearth and floor.

I would be in trouble though if I had a lot of the hard peanut brittle like creosote, it would have clogged the small pool hose. the light fluffy stuff I get came right out. I could actually see it getting sucked into the hose. The only downside to this method is I can't measure how much stuff I got out of the chimney.

 

[sawzall]

I always remove my boards,sweep, then remove any debris from the fire box.

 

[Jimbob]

Sounds like a quick and easy cleaning.

 

[velvetfoot]

Going on the roof, especially in winter, isn't really easy.

 

[Alan Gage]

I've got adjustable double wall pipe connected to my stove so I just slide it up above the stove, tape on a bag, and let all the junk fall in there.

Alan

 

[burleymike]

We get more dry cold wind than snow so it is not too bad going up there. I would not even try it if there was any moisture, the metal roof becomes slick as teflon.