chimney drips

[cyclone]

I have noticed some dripping from the chimney. The substance was below chimney in the snow. Brown liquid with creosote smell. My chimney cap is clean. I also been burning clean, no Smoke from chimney. Is this from warm air mixing with the cold at the top of the chimney and cap causing condensation?

 

[LLigetfa]

Yes, perfectly normal. I sometimes have icicles (creocicles) hanging from my cap.

 

[Corey]

Even if the wood is perfectly dry, simply burning it makes water according to the standard combustion equations. In cold weather, that water can condense and pick up traces of soot which are present, even if the flue looks clear. This gives the formation of 'creosicles', black water drops, etc.