I'll probably be bashed for this but today was the first time I cleaned my stove. Its been close to 2 full burn seasons. I have monitored it though by getting on the roof and checking it from time to time. I took a trip to the local hearth store today and got me a poly brush, rods and a moisture meter! Love the moisture meter. Found out some of my wood is drier then I thought and some wetter than I thought. Anyhow, last year I burned marginal wood, this year was much better and about 85% of my burning has been pine all winter. I love the stuff. I just had the loose powdery creosote and had a bit more than I was expecting. Cleaning was pretty easy, removed the burn tubes and the ceramic baffle and ran the brush through. Took about 30 minutes. I have about 17 feet of chimney..straight up.
On a side note.......is it normal upon burning again after a cleaning, to smell the little bit of creosote left in the stove? This stuff stinks!
On a side note.......is it normal upon burning again after a cleaning, to smell the little bit of creosote left in the stove? This stuff stinks!