I see spotless stainless chimney tops all over town. I'm guessing they don't burn. Mine only smokes at cold startup, wood is seasoned a year in very well ventilated stacks, now under 20% MC and I still get the dark "stuff" a few inches down from the cap. I burn cherry, mulberry, ash, hard and soft maple and walnut. All have that dry snap sound when you bang them together. None of it sizzles and it burns very well. I always get great draft even for warm weather cold starts. No oak this year - giving it more time to dry. I start with split pallet wood and waste scraps from the log splitter. Light-up very easy with 30 seconds of a propane torch. So those of you that burn 24/7 Do you have mirror clean chimney tops? Creosote found when I sweep is low, compared to last year.