Chimney Cleaning - what tools do I need?

[illini81]

This is my first year with a wood stove, and I haven't yet cleaned the chimney. Based on what I've read on hearth.com, it's a good idea to do a midyear cleaning, if it's your first year.

I have about 17 feet of rigid, 6" liner, and then about 5 feet of flex. I have an insert. Does anyone have a recommendation on a chimney cleaning brush? Are there any other tools I should get?

My current plan is to remove the baffle, drop the brush in from up top with a rope and small weight attached, and have a helper pull from the bottom. Seems pretty easy? Is there a better way?

 

[jetsam]

I like to do some back-and-forth with my brush. Maybe if you had two ropes on it so it could be pulled up and down?

I do actually have a rope on my brush, but it is just there in case a rod breaks.

You could put the brush on rods. Also popular is sweeping from the bottom with a sooteater type system.

I also take up a flashlight, screwdriver, and wire brush. The last 2 are for the chimney cap.

 

[begreen]

I've cleaned the past 3 years with a Sooteater. Works great, keeps me off the roof and no need for a helper.

 

[illini81]

I've cleaned the past 3 years with a Sooteater. Works great, keeps me off the roof and no need for a helper.

Something like this? https://www.northlineexpress.com/so...tjU4XO9pJz3hbw_s4ySplm5337-9KwkMaApbeEALw_wcB

For some reason I was under the impression that sooteaters were expensive. $65 isn't bad at all. Are there any downsides to using a sooteater? Seems like that's definitely the way to go.

 

[RandyBoBandy]

Something like this? https://www.northlineexpress.com/so...tjU4XO9pJz3hbw_s4ySplm5337-9KwkMaApbeEALw_wcB

For some reason I was under the impression that sooteaters were expensive. $65 isn't bad at all. Are there any downsides to using a sooteater? Seems like that's definitely the way to go.

I just picked one up on amazon for 39 bucks

 

[yooper08]

Rockford also has a Sooteater, I think a different model than others. Rods are better if you have offsets in the flue is the feedback.

I’d get a Sooteater myself, but only need to clean once a year, so I just get the annual inspection and have it cleaned at the same time. That way, if for some reason I ever needed it, I have documentation.

 

[illini81]

I just picked one up on amazon for 39 bucks

Thanks for saving me $25!

 

[illini81]

Thanks all for the input. I think I'm going with the sooteater on Amazon.

 

[jetsam]

Remember to check your chimney cap! You can possibly do that from the ground if you have binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens.

 

[venator260]

Just a note here: If you have a sharp 90 degree bend in your system (like at the thimble on an exterior chimney), a Stooteater used bottom up isn't your best bet. I still have the two broken rods to prove it. I was hopeful that I could get out of bugging someone to clean mine. Alas, no such luck.

Worked wonderfully on my insert though.

 

[illini81]

Just a note here: If you have a sharp 90 degree bend in your system (like at the thimble on an exterior chimney), a Stooteater used bottom up isn't your best bet. I still have the two broken rods to prove it. I was hopeful that I could get out of bugging someone to clean mine. Alas, no such luck.

Worked wonderfully on my insert though.

Thanks for the tip! I have an insert here though, so no worries. Pretty much a straight shot.

 

[illini81]

Remember to check your chimney cap! You can possibly do that from the ground if you have binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens.

Hmm... I didn't think about that. Am I checking the chimney cap just to make sure it's not plugged up?

 

[Mark8]

I've cleaned the past 3 years with a Sooteater. Works great, keeps me off the roof and no need for a helper.

I just purchased the soot eater and if you read the negative review on Amazon they are pretty funny, the rods breaking or coming appart and customers with the device stuck half way down their chimney with no way to get it out. When I called Rockford chimney supply I found out there was a difference between the one they sell with white rods and the ones that Amazon sells with black rods. The white rods are more flexible and are not prone to breaking. I have not had a chance to use mine yet so I can't comment on the performance, only what I was told.

 

[electrathon]

I have the white rods on the sooteater. Clean bottom up, they work and easy. Also a better job than I can do with my brush.

 

[jetsam]

Hmm... I didn't think about that. Am I checking the chimney cap just to make sure it's not plugged up?

Yep. It's a serious concern if you have a mesh screen on it and you've had low flue temperatures. This could be due to wet wood, burning very low, etc. If you don't have mesh to keep the birdies out, it's not something that should hopefully be a problem that impedes air flow.