Sooteater or Wohler?

[mpaul]

So I've been an off and on wood stove user for the past 15 years or so but, never cleaned my own chimney. I recently moved into a new home (built in 1987) and my wife and I decided to convert the existing gas fireplace into a wood burner. We settled on the 42 Apex from Fireplace Xtrordinair. Last year was our first year heating with it and we were both very pleased with its performance, heating our entire ~2,000 sq ft open floor plan home without ever needing to turn on my propane boiler. Saved us a ton of money!

This summer I contacted the installer and had them professionally clean the stove/chimney. I watched him closely and asked some questions with the intent of cleaning/sweeping on my own going forward. The job looked pretty straight forward and he encouraged me to sweep it going forward, showing me what to look for etc.

He also recommended I purchase a Wohler 10" Poly Brush with a 50' Wohler push head. This appeared to be the type of setup he was using. However, reading this forum I see so many recommendations to use a Sooteater. What are the advantages/disadvantages to both? The Wohler setup would set me back over $400 whereas the Sooteater I could get for just over $100. My chimney is roughly 30' with a straight shot, no bends. Any input would be much appreciated

 

[bholler]

So I've been an off and on wood stove user for the past 15 years or so but, never cleaned my own chimney. I recently moved into a new home (built in 1987) and my wife and I decided to convert the existing gas fireplace into a wood burner. We settled on the 42 Apex from Fireplace Xtrordinair. Last year was our first year heating with it and we were both very pleased with its performance, heating our entire ~2,000 sq ft open floor plan home without ever needing to turn on my propane boiler. Saved us a ton of money!

This summer I contacted the installer and had them professionally clean the stove/chimney. I watched him closely and asked some questions with the intent of cleaning/sweeping on my own going forward. The job looked pretty straight forward and he encouraged me to sweep it going forward, showing me what to look for etc.

He also recommended I purchase a Wohler 10" Poly Brush with a 50' Wohler push head. This appeared to be the type of setup he was using. However, reading this forum I see so many recommendations to use a Sooteater. What are the advantages/disadvantages to both? The Wohler setup would set me back over $400 whereas the Sooteater I could get for just over $100. My chimney is roughly 30' with a straight shot, no bends. Any input would be much appreciated

Our wohler setup hasn't been pulled off the shelf in probably 5 years since we went to rotary cleaning. It just doesn't do as good a job and is harder to use

 

[Highbeam]

100$ for a sooteater? 44$ for the kit with 18' of rods plus two 6' rod kits for 18.5$ each. 81$ total with free shipping.

Amazon product ASIN B0010H5JXA
Amazon product ASIN B00CAOFV2G
Even if you have to spend 100$ I would still get the sooteater. I use one for two stoves and can't think of any way to improve on it.

 

[bholler]

Yeah our professional rotary cleaning system that is much more durable and has bigger buttons that are easier to use. But for a homeowner cleaning a chimney or two a year the sooteater is perfect

 

[mpaul]

Good to know. You can't beat the price differences, that's for sure. Are the Sooteaters one size fits all? Watching the Sweep the brush he used was tight against the flue, the brushes on the Sooteater seem a lot more flexible.
Knowing I only watched him use the Wohler, anything I need to look out for when using the Sooteater, any special techniques?

 

[BigJ273]

Good to know. You can't beat the price differences, that's for sure. Are the Sooteaters one size fits all? Watching the Sweep the brush he used was tight against the flue, the brushes on the Sooteater seem a lot more flexible.
Knowing I only watched him use the Wohler, anything I need to look out for when using the Sooteater, any special techniques?

You can trim the whip to fit your flue size, or just leave it at the size it comes. I’ve tried it both ways. Honestly, I didn’t see a noticeable difference. Def works well tho

 

[Supersurvey]

See if it would be more cost effective to get 2 sets so you have a spare head.

 

[JRHAWK9]

See if it would be more cost effective to get 2 sets so you have a spare head.

Exactly what I did......

 

[BIGChrisNH]

I’m still not totally sold on the quality of a soot eater. I’ve used mine 3 times, and broken a rod 3 times. I paid for it so I keep trying to use it, but it is maddening. It seems if you don’t rev the drill up too high the rods won’t snap, but it‘s a delicate operation.

 

[SpaceBus]

100$ for a sooteater? 44$ for the kit with 18' of rods plus two 6' rod kits for 18.5$ each. 81$ total with free shipping.

Amazon product ASIN B0010H5JXA
Amazon product ASIN B00CAOFV2G
Even if you have to spend 100$ I would still get the sooteater. I use one for two stoves and can't think of any way to improve on it.

I bought two soot eater kits to have a back up head and rods since I needed more rods than one kit came with.

 

[SpaceBus]

I’m still not totally sold on the quality of a soot eater. I’ve used mine 3 times, and broken a rod 3 times. I paid for it so I keep trying to use it, but it is maddening. It seems if you don’t rev the drill up too high the rods won’t snap, but it‘s a delicate operation.

I haven't had this same problem myself, but you could try a less aggressive drill.

 

[Highbeam]

I’m still not totally sold on the quality of a soot eater. I’ve used mine 3 times, and broken a rod 3 times. I paid for it so I keep trying to use it, but it is maddening. It seems if you don’t rev the drill up too high the rods won’t snap, but it‘s a delicate operation.

I broke one rod. What usually causes it is over bending into too tight a radius. So at least for me, it was user error.

I go mad speed top gear in the DeWALT drill. One direction on the way up and reverse on the way down. High speed should be less likely to cause damage.

 

[mpaul]

So typically the rods break from too many bends? With a straight shot chimney the likelihood of me breaking something is reduced, right? When buying two sets is that both the rods and the brush, does the brush wear out over time?

 

[moresnow]

So typically the rods break from too many bends? With a straight shot chimney the likelihood of me breaking something is reduced, right? When buying two sets is that both the rods and the brush, does the brush wear out over time?

Can't imagine breaking a rod on a straight shot cleaning. I also can't imagine trying to make it work without breaking on a 90 deg bend! Mine makes a gentle bend from next to the stove going up into my telescoping pipe lifted up off the collar. It's been working great for a few years. I am going to purchase a extra head and cut the bristles a touch longer than the recommended for my 6" pipe. Nice setup.

 

[brenndatomu]

I've had a SE for at least 4-5 years...clean my 2 chimneys plus 2 more...only thing its ever needed is the line replaced...I used heavy weedeater line...works the same as the OEM line...

 

[bholler]

I've had a SE for at least 4-5 years...clean my 2 chimneys plus 2 more...only thing its ever needed is the line replaced...I used heavy weedeater line...works the same as the OEM line...

That is what we use in ours

 

[Highbeam]

I think I’ll cut my strings a little longer than recommended next time too. I juse the big 080 weed wacker line but it wears slow.

 

[bholler]

We always just use the precut trimmer line at 18" the new strings get used for fireplace flues as they wear down that head gets used for smaller flues and we put long ones on another head again. During the heavy cleaning season strings last about a week.

 

[mpaul]

I’ve got a whole spool of .130” for my trimmer. Would this thicker trim line damage the liner?

 

[bholler]

I’ve got a whole spool of .130” for my trimmer. Would this thicker trim line damage the liner?

It shouldn't. What type of liner is it? It also may not fit in the head. Honestly for homeowner use the lines will last a long time it isn't a big deal really

 

[mpaul]

Ok thanks. I can’t see this wearing out that fast. I plan to do two cleaning per season burning 4-5 cords.
I have an 8” insulated liner.

 

[bholler]

Ok thanks. I can’t see this wearing out that fast. I plan to do two cleaning per season burning 4-5 cords.
I have an 8” insulated liner.

Yeah we can go through a set in a week. But that can be 40 or 50 cleanings

 

[PaulOinMA]

I'll be ashes before I use my Sooteater 40 times.

 

[BIGChrisNH]

I broke one rod. What usually causes it is over bending into too tight a radius. So at least for me, it was user error.

I go mad speed top gear in the DeWALT drill. One direction on the way up and reverse on the way down. High speed should be less likely to cause damage.

I wish they wouldn’t break as often. I need to put mine through the thimble in the wall, then bend up through the flue, so it’s a 90 degree turn. I don’t have a straight up option. It’s frustrating because the tool is marketed as flexible for easy bottom up cleaning, but the rods are very delicate.

 

[bholler]

I wish they wouldn’t break as often. I need to put mine through the thimble in the wall, then bend up through the flue, so it’s a 90 degree turn. I don’t have a straight up option. It’s frustrating because the tool is marketed as flexible for easy bottom up cleaning, but the rods are very delicate.

Try getting a section of plastic flexible conduit to run the rods through. It helps support them and keep them from kinking