Chimney sparks

[bfunk13]

I went out tonight to get another load of wood and noticed a few sparks coming from the chimney.
The cat was not yet engaged and i asked the wife if she was stirring the fire.
She was "moving around a few logs". Once the cat was up to temp and engaged the sparks stopped.
I am sure i just caught it as she stirred the fire causing a few sparks.
I just have the chimney cap that came with the liner, should i be using something else?
I am not really concerned about starting something on fire the sparks only made it a few feet from the cap before going out.
I can see how this could happen, but is it normal?
Any recommendations on a spark arrestor? Thanks for any help.

 

[colebrookman]

I went out tonight to get another load of wood and noticed a few sparks coming from the chimney.
The cat was not yet engaged and i asked the wife if she was stirring the fire.
She was "moving around a few logs". Once the cat was up to temp and engaged the sparks stopped.
I am sure i just caught it as she stirred the fire causing a few sparks.
I just have the chimney cap that came with the liner, should i be using something else?
I am not really concerned about starting something on fire the sparks only made it a few feet from the cap before going out.
I can see how this could happen, but is it normal?
Any recommendations on a spark arrestor? Thanks for any help.

I had a spark arrestor cap on my tile chimney. It just cut the draft, not good for my stove, and was a source of creosote in all the holes because it was so cold. Took in off and the chimney stays clean and safe. Course if you have a cedar shingle roof or some other fire problem a cap would be necessary. Be safe.
Ed

 

[bfunk13]

No cedar shingles.
Bump

 

[Tfin]

If your chimney isn't real tall I'd say it was just you were happening to look up at the same time your wife was stirring the coals.

I used to have a screen that went around the opening of my chimney cap, but I remove it now during burning season. The first year I kept it on, and it became a location for creasote to build up on, which negatively impacted my draft. Now I only put it on at the end of burning season to keep the birds out.