Flex Pipe / liner question

[jeff in pa]

All,

First post... and a Newb at that!

I've just started looking for a stove and have settled on a Jotul Oslo. Lots of factors went into that decision but that's another post.

The two shops I have talked to so far have both recommended running flex pipe the whole length of my chimney. I'm talking about a 30' + full masonry fireplace chimney. Should I be using the flex pipe just for the first 5 feet or so then regular straight pipe? I may have misunderstood them but when I asked, the one shop insisted that the flex pipe, even with all the nooks and crannies for creosote to build up in, actually would have less build up because of expansion / contraction when heated and cooled. They claim this would dislodge accumulated creosote leading to a cleaner pipe?? Any of this sound reasonable to you??

Is the flex pipe way more expensive than the straight walled pipe?

Thanks,

Jeff in PA

 

[JotulOslo]

jeff in pa,
Earlier this year I installed a Jotul Oslo in my fireplace, myself. I used a MagnaFlex Stainless Steel liner kit, made my own block off plate, etc. I would recommend using the liner the whole way up. Search on JotulOslo to read about my trials and tribulations. Some of my posts include pictures of the block off plate I made.

This site is a wonderful asset, and you will be glad that you found it.

JotulOslo

 

[Hogwildz]

I was told the same thing by a dealer about expansion/contraction. Was a dealer in Tamaqua. I used flex for the bottom 5 ' and double wall insulated rigid the rest of the way. Alot of folks on here have used full flex the wholw way, and I have read no complaints. I was also told on here the exp/cont. was BS. I spent a lil more and went with the rigid after the 5' flex. Self install, not real bad. I did alot of prep work, cur some of the old metal heatilator steel box out for an almost straight run into top of insert.
You can get a comnplete flex kit on ebay for about $450.00 give or take some. I paid about $1,100.00 for my set up. And am happy to pay the extra.