Creosote at the top

[holland_patrick]

I often look up at my chimney top when I leave my house and noticed that the wires up there looked thick. When I wen up there is was thick with creosote I bushed a lot of it off at it was causing a back draft with the winds we are having right now. Is this because of the cold snap because this is the worst I've seen it but its the most I have ever burned this year also

 

[Backwoods Savage]

This is a common occurrence. Even inside the chimney, it is the top couple of feet that get the worst because that is where it is the coldest. When we had a cap with wire, it was a chore we did several times per year cleaning the cap. Not difficult to do with a wire brush but sometimes we'd just stay on the ground and tap the screen with the cleaning poles. Enough would fall off so it would not be a problem. And yes, the cold snap will help this. I will be happy when this is over. Next week!

 

[holland_patrick]

Good I thought I might be doing something wrong I know I'm using less then seasoned wood right not but its what I have because I didn't think my wife would want to use it as much as we are but she is loving it.. No I need to start splitting wood for next year it's been sitting for two.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

For sure get it split Patrick because in the round all that dries is just a little bit on the ends. That is why those cracks show up. The middle though will still be wet. I've always recommended that folks get 3 years ahead on the wood. Takes care of 99% of all wood stove related problems and you'll also find that you actually burn less wood.

We are into our sixth year with our present stove. After 2 years we cleaned the chimney just to see what and we got about a cup of soot with no creosote. That was the spring of 2009. The chimney had not been touched since. I even took a picture of the interior of the chimney and posted it on this forum. All one can see is a little bit of brown soot. Nice!

 

[remkel]

I had the screen removed from my cap. But, I agree with Dennis, good dry wood would make all the difference in the world.

 

[xman23]

My screen was plugged half way thru the first winter. Started back puffin at the startup. I removed the screen. The next year the cap was again a gooey mess at the end of the year. The pipe was dry. Most of this was caused by burning 1 year old oak. That was 10 years ago. Now that we burn better and burn 5 year old oak the cap gets blackened but stays dry. Never put the screen back on. The only issue is we have gotten a few birds into the stove in the summer.

 

[wood burning cop]

if the screen is the part of the cap that they consider a spark arrestor I would check with you insurance company before removing it. mine required it and i think if something happens they would be able to deny you claim.