Should I Yank the Spark Arrestor Screen?

[beekeeper]

I've just installed two stainless 6" chimney flue in my new house - still under construction --, one for a Jotul Oslo and the other for a Kozyheat fireplace. My roof is very steep (10/12) and very very high. When we take the toe-boards down and finish off the shingles, it will be next to impossible for me to get to those chimney caps, so I'm hoping to do all of my cleaning from below. Because I'm seeing issues with spark arrester screens I'm wondering if I should yank mine off before I finish up -- I don't want to have to try to get back up there just to unplug a screen.

I'm sure the screens are there for a purpose -- but all the masonry chimneys around here don't have them so I'm wondering how important it is.

Any thoughts?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Yes. I'd get a open chimney cap and throw the screen away, else you'll forever be cursing that thing. You probably read the other post about this and that is what is advised there also.

 

[lugoismad]

I've been having to clean mine about every 6 weeks. It gets all nasty and gummy.

But on the other hand, the one on my grandpas pot belly stove never once got nasty. It has to do with all number of things, including the wood you burn, your stove, length of chimney pipe, etc.

 

[colebrookman]

Yup, best thing I ever did for stove performance.
Ed

 

[Todd]

If you go with no cap make sure you inspect your chimney before burning next season. I've seen squirrel nests, dead birds and bats in mine before I installed a cap. One time I opened the stove door and a bat flew out, the wife freaked!

My screen never plugs up.

 

[techieguy]

I've just installed two stainless 6" chimney flue in my new house - still under construction --, one for a Jotul Oslo and the other for a Kozyheat fireplace. My roof is very steep (10/12) and very very high. When we take the toe-boards down and finish off the shingles, it will be next to impossible for me to get to those chimney caps, so I'm hoping to do all of my cleaning from below. Because I'm seeing issues with spark arrester screens I'm wondering if I should yank mine off before I finish up -- I don't want to have to try to get back up there just to unplug a screen.

I'm sure the screens are there for a purpose -- but all the masonry chimneys around here don't have them so I'm wondering how important it is.

Any thoughts?

beekeeper,
I will be removing my screen after very shortly... You can see why in this post and the recomendation of others. I hope this helps...
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/31605/

 

[LLigetfa]

Some people think you'd be shooting the "canary in the coal mine" messenger, but I say get rid of it if local codes allow. Even if creosote/frost isn't an issue, just burning paper or Birch bark could clog them up.