Creosote cleaners

[Elle]

I was cruising on Facebook and saw a post about cleaning creasote build up in a chimney. Some folks actually said dry wood and hot fires but some were saying aluminum cans and eggs shells and all kinds of stuff. The person who said aluminum cans said that aluminum is in those creosote logs. Didn't get an explanation for the eggs shells other than "grandpa did it". I don't have any issues with my chimney but just wondering if anyone has heard of this. I though it was interesting.

 

[edyit]

grandpa always told me don't burn anything but wood in your stove and if you have creosote get on the roof with the brush and clean the chimney.

 

[CenterTree]

I put my soda cans in the "recycle bin" ,,,NOT the wood stove.





Of, course, if it was on FACEBOOK, then it must be true.

 

[Lumber-Jack]

When we had chickens we use to recycle our eggshells.

 

[OhioBurner©]

The only non-brush suggestions I've heard that I actually believe is from a friend at work who was involved in both coal power plant operations and engineering for 20+ years. She was saying some chemical sodium-something or other but even if it did work you still need to visually inspect it, so why not just use the brush? No question the brush works (or soot-eater).

 

[Sprinter]

Bottom line is that there are no shortcuts for cleaning a flue that needs cleaning. Even the creosote logs and other chemical treatments don't really clean, they just soften and loosen the tougher creosote to make it easier to brush it.

 

[GeHmTS]

My pellet stove doesn't produce any creosote to matter.

 

[Badger]

Old timer at church tells me when he was in his twenties they would use a log chain to clean the creosote. If a chimney fire broke out they would climb on to the roof and throw one end of the chain down to keep the expanding creosote (so he tells me) from clogging the chimney.

 

[Elle]

My dad and brother used to use a chain to clean our coal chimney back
in the day. That I remember lol. Never had a chimney fire though so don't know about the other part.

 

[firefighterjake]

Folks that go with the egg shells, beer cans, porcupine quill plucked from a porcupine on a full moon night, etc strike me as the same folks who will spend a small fortune on magical mechanic in a can additives to fix their car or get more power or gas mileage instead of taking the time and often less money to do the job right or go with tried and true fixes.

 

[Grisu]

There are creosote remover products available like this: http://chimneysaver.com/products/creosote-removal-products/cre-away-creosote-modifier/
One active component is magnesium but there could easily be others. I am not sure if aluminium from cans could substitute for any of it. Nevertheless, those cleaners don't "remove" creosote but actually convert the glazed stage 3 creosote into a more manageable soot that can be swept. Thus, even when using any of those products, regular sweeping is still required to clean the chimney.

 

[CenterTree]

There are creosote remover products available like this: http://chimneysaver.com/products/creosote-removal-products/cre-away-creosote-modifier/
One active component is magnesium but there could easily be others. I am not sure if aluminium from cans could substitute for any of it. Nevertheless, those cleaners don't "remove" creosote but actually convert the glazed stage 3 creosote into a more manageable soot that can be swept. Thus, even when using any of those products, regular sweeping is still required to clean the chimney.

Their website states that they do NOT sell direct to the public, nor do they have retails distributors where the products can be purchased buy homeowners.

The products must be applied by a "chimney professional". (according to the site)

However, I did find it on Amazon.

 

[Matt93eg]

I will stick to my brush and cleaning rods for sweeping mine out.

 

[Ford850]

I've used some on mine for a few years. I don't expect it to remove anything, but I hope it slows down or changes the composition of the creosote that does form. I figure it is relatively cheap insurance (or cheap snake oil). I do believe it makes my brushing easier. My issue is my chimney is in the center of my house, close to the peak of the roof. In mid winter, I cannot get up there due to the snow and ice, so it's nice to keep things a bit safer until I can get up to brush it out.

 

[tarzan]

Most here do not have the creosite build up problems that many wood burners face.

Some people are just hard headed. Already know it all. Can't tell them nothing and they throw there empty beer cans in there wood stove hoping it will keep them from making that third trip onto the roof in January.

After all, there to busy busting wood for Febuary!

 

[spirilis]

Trisodium Phosphate I think it's called... is used in some of those creosote cleaning products. That's the stuff that supposedly converts stage 3 into manageable stuff.

 

[NinjaTech]

I have some spray stuff you treat a piece or two of firewood and then burn that once a week or so. Something menards had for 10 bucks or so. Not sure if really works or not, but I figured it couldn't hurt and if it helps prevent glazed stuff and makes sweeping a little easier/quicker its worth it. I defiantly do not feel it is an alternative to sweeping, just an aid to make it easier.

 

[valley ranch]

For the last 45 years or so, I've thrown a couple table spoons of rock salt into a hot fire, and give the fire extra air for about 10mins. I find it has worked well for me.

There is little if anything to clean if I use salt.



I did buy a Soot Eater last year. That works good in summer cleaning, the chimney from the bottom.

Richard

 

[cheechblu]

When my friends get a new stove, I throw change into it.
Brings good luck.

 

[valley ranch]

Years ago, use to could drive pennies in a log and drill holes for rock salt. You know the Yule Log to burn on Christmas. It would burn lemon yellow and green and blue.



Richard

 

[Elle]

Interesting replies. funny how stuff is passed on. Never heard about the rock salt and pennies. Might be neat for company one day. I'm a brusher and only got about a cup or two of flakes out last year so I guess I'm doing something right, lol.

 

[Jack Fate]

For the last 45 years or so, I've thrown a couple table spoons of rock salt into a hot fire, and give the fire extra air for about 10mins. I find it has worked well for me.

There is little if anything to clean if I use salt.



I did buy a Soot Eater last year. That works good in summer cleaning, the chimney from the bottom.

Richard

My mason friend. Also said to use rock salt

 

[CenterTree]

I will stick to my brush and cleaning rods for sweeping mine out.

Brush will work good for the fluffy or ashy/flaky type soot, but if you are ever unfortunate enough to get any accumulated black-goo, then the brush is not gonna be enough.
That happens to some people when they are beginning. (ask me I know)

 

[MNSIU]

I was cruising on Facebook and saw a post about cleaning creasote build up in a chimney. Some folks actually said dry wood and hot fires but some were saying aluminum cans and eggs shells and all kinds of stuff. The person who said aluminum cans said that aluminum is in those creosote logs. Didn't get an explanation for the eggs shells other than "grandpa did it". I don't have any issues with my chimney but just wondering if anyone has heard of this. I though it was interesting.

I read somewhere that these cleaner crystals they sell for cleaning creosote out was nothing more than rock salt. However ,I know that salt is not too friendly with cement and would raise h-ll with the mortar in the chimney.