Q&A Creosote buildup

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Hope everyone has a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
Status
Not open for further replies.

QandA

New Member
Staff member
Nov 27, 2012
0
Question:

I have two questions regarding creosote buildup in a flue.
1) Is it the loose soot type material which falls when i brush out the flue or is it the shiny build-up on the walls of the flue that cause a chimney fire?
2) If I had a professional clean the flue would he remove the shiny buildup?



Answer:

1. It is the sticky stuff that you cannot get off (class 3 creosote) that causes the worse fires.
2. In most cases, they cannot get it all off unless you pay them a couple hundred to use the industrial solvents. Use of certain chimney cleaning compounds sprayed on the wood or into the fire can help remove this over time.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.