Just picked up a brush and rods for my stove pipe. Is there a certain way to brush it to get it clean. I have a 6" double wall pipe and have a poly brush.
How to brush out a stove pipe
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Before you do anything else, do this: screw the poly brush onto the first rod. Twist un-lock the rain cap, and pull it off. Insert the brush into the first section of pipe about 8" or so. Now, stop. Tug up on the brush and see how difficult it is to reverse the poly bristles! The first brush I had fit so tight that if I had gone any further, I would have taken down the pipe to get it out! I trimmed it up with some tin snips and it worked fine after than.
I've only used steel brushes, but sticking it in and using a back and forth motion always worked for me. When stuff stops falling out the bottom of the chimney you're done.
I've always cleaned from the bottom. 2 trips up and 2 trips down has always been enough, but if you feel better doing more, it won't hurt anything.
Matt
I've always cleaned from the bottom. 2 trips up and 2 trips down has always been enough, but if you feel better doing more, it won't hurt anything.
Matt
Pagey said:
This is very good advice! Thankfully I discovered the same issue before the brush went around a bend. I used a pair of 14" bolt cutters to trim the bristles, I was able to trim them in groups thanks to the power advantage. I secured a rope to the end of the brush as well in case it came loose or stuck.
Thanks for the advice I might run the brush down it today. It's a new stove this year but I'm new at wood burning. Don't want to take a chances of a build up
kingfisher said:
You'll quickly get the hang of it. It's a good feeling to know you can brush your own any time you want. Another note: you might want to wear a dust mask. These new stoves produce little, brown, flaky pieces of soot when burned properly. That stuff will float all up in your face sometimes as you are brushing. I got a face full yesterday due to the wind, and I didn't have a mask here at home. I'm still blowing that junk out of my nose.
Kingfisher, you are a wise man indeed. Keep at it and you'll soon be a pro.
On the brush, I usually go all the way up and then back down. Then I go back up using a scrubbing motion. Then back down and put the brush away. As you can tell, I too clean from the bottom. I used to go to the top but now only go up if I have to clean the cap or adjust it. Once I knocked it clean off while cleaning. Oh well, I then went ahead and brushed the cap so before putting it back on so it worked out.
On the brush, I usually go all the way up and then back down. Then I go back up using a scrubbing motion. Then back down and put the brush away. As you can tell, I too clean from the bottom. I used to go to the top but now only go up if I have to clean the cap or adjust it. Once I knocked it clean off while cleaning. Oh well, I then went ahead and brushed the cap so before putting it back on so it worked out.
My stovepipe is attached to an elbow [90*] out the back of the stove. I can disconnect the vertical pipe at the elbow, and I use masking tape to attach a plastic grocery bag to the bottom of the pipe. That way any ash falls into the bag and is less mess.
Good advice in this thread, as Pagey said, it's a good feeling knowing you can clean your chimney any time you want.
I have a, particularly steep, metal roof and last year had to build an elaborate scaffolding to access my chimney for cleaning. This year it will be a little easier as I mounted some discreet angled, metal brackets to put planks out to my chimney for cleaning and servicing. Besides cleaning the chimney one of the chores I do now, while I'm up there, is take the hose up with me and wash the roof off. That creosote is corrosive and if it lies on the metal roof it will eventually eat through the painted finish and start rusting and generally make a mess of things.
Yeah, and last year I used a wire brush, but this year I acquired poly brush and gave it a try last week. Only put it down about a foot or so then tried to pull it out,,,,, the stupid thing was stuck so bad it was lifting the whole chimney up when I reefed on it. Turning it while pulling made it come easier. After that I put the poly brush away and went back to the steel wire brush.
I have a, particularly steep, metal roof and last year had to build an elaborate scaffolding to access my chimney for cleaning. This year it will be a little easier as I mounted some discreet angled, metal brackets to put planks out to my chimney for cleaning and servicing. Besides cleaning the chimney one of the chores I do now, while I'm up there, is take the hose up with me and wash the roof off. That creosote is corrosive and if it lies on the metal roof it will eventually eat through the painted finish and start rusting and generally make a mess of things.
Yeah, and last year I used a wire brush, but this year I acquired poly brush and gave it a try last week. Only put it down about a foot or so then tried to pull it out,,,,, the stupid thing was stuck so bad it was lifting the whole chimney up when I reefed on it. Turning it while pulling made it come easier. After that I put the poly brush away and went back to the steel wire brush.
Sweeping a chimney . . . so easy a caveman could do it. 
I'm not quite sure if you're brushing the chimney or the stove pipe . . . and what your set up is like . . . how your stove and flue/chimney are set up can give you some ideas as to good, better and best ways to brush.
Me, I have an outside chimney with a T connection so I can brush from the bottom up . . . just screwing up a 4-foot rod section as needed. I do an up and down motion as I go . . . as I said, it's pretty easy . . . no rocket science here. Once a year I clean the actual stove pipe inside the house.
I'm not quite sure if you're brushing the chimney or the stove pipe . . . and what your set up is like . . . how your stove and flue/chimney are set up can give you some ideas as to good, better and best ways to brush.
Me, I have an outside chimney with a T connection so I can brush from the bottom up . . . just screwing up a 4-foot rod section as needed. I do an up and down motion as I go . . . as I said, it's pretty easy . . . no rocket science here. Once a year I clean the actual stove pipe inside the house.
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