Sweeping warm chimney

[Rowski]

Is it o.k to sweep a warm masonry chimney?

Would it clean better when cold?

My flue temp has been less than 100*f for 6+ hours.

Also would a brush attached to pvc pipe work from the clean out? Or should I clean it from the top?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Most times that we clean the chimney it is still warm. We've done it several times when smoke was still in it but usually just wait until the fire is down to coals.

How you clean the chimney just depends upon how your chimney is. Whatever works best for you. I've done it both ways but do like to do it from the bottom, which saves climbing.

 

[Rowski]

Does it do a better job when the chimney is warm or cold?

I should be able to get a section of pvc pipe through the clean out, bottom up cleaning, right?

Thanks.

Derek

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I've noticed no difference whether the chimney is warm or cold.

It all depends upon the cleanout and do you have to bend the pipe.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I don't think it makes a difference with a steel brush. Poly brushes may have an issue.

Matt

 

[Rowski]

I swept the chimney this afternoon. I tried it from the bottom. It went o.k. Not as well as I had hoped. The trouble was that the pvc conduit was hard to assemble under tension. I don't have a straight shot to the clean out door. I needed my 7 year old and wife to help, to keep the conduit in check so it does rub everything inside. I had to use 3 sections, 30 ft. The bottom 7/8 cleaned very well. I borrowed a ladder from a neighbor. Went up to the top and cleaned (scrubbed) the top 1/3 really well. The top 1/8 had a semi glossy harder coating. Most of it started to come off. I'll scrub it again in another month. I have been using, once a week (if I remember) Rutland creosote remover powder type. I ended up with about 3 quarts of creosote. It was very granular, like coarse sandblasting sand. It did have a few flakes but 90% was granular.

I have been burning 24/7 since late November. Had maybe 3 or 4 restarts from scratch paper and kindling. The wood I have been using was cut late September, October and early November. All was standing dead wood. Nothing laying on the ground, had to be off the ground. Very little punky stuff. Mostly Ash, and Rock Maple, a little Beech and Cherry.

In all I think I did pretty well. Would be nice to have all seasoned and dry wood. It just did work out for this heating season. I'm trying to scrounge up another 1.5 cords for March and April. I cut a half a cord Sunday. Was able to get to the wood with the tractor but still required cutting in "above the knee" deep snow. Keeps me if focus for next year, to stay ahead of the game and not get behind.

Thanks again!

Derek

 

[Highbeam]

I swept my chimney yesterday and have been burning 24/7 since mid October. Is that what was in your chimney? I swept out less than a cup of brownish coffee grounds from my 14' vertical stack. I've burned about 2.5 cords.

I also didn't want to wait for a cold stove and chimney. I let the stove cool down to 150 or so and then cleaned out the firebox. It had lots of coals in the ash. I figured the quickest way to cool teh stove is to clean out the coals and I also figured that if I plugged the chimney with a brush that any burning wood will be plugged off and may back smoke out through the fresh air intakes.

The only negative with sweeping a warm chimney is that the dust really flies up into your face.

 

[woodconvert]

Is it o.k to sweep a warm masonry chimney?

Would it clean better when cold?

My flue temp has been less than 100*f for 6+ hours.

Also would a brush attached to pvc pipe work from the clean out? Or should I clean it from the top?

The last time I did mine I did it pretty hot. The thermometer said 300F (had a brief break in the weather...couldn't wait for it to cool off). Anyhow, I pull my brush down with a stainless lanyard I made. It makes no difference from what I can see if it's cold, 100F or 300F.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I'll agree with Highbeam in the only negative. However, I don't think I'd ever go to the extreme of cleaning the hot coals out of the stove. We used to clean from the top but no longer. I don't go up unless I absolutely have to; and I haven't yet cleaned the cap. It was new before 2007-2008 burning season. But then, we haven't cleaned the chimney either. Those dog goned cat stoves anyway... Saves too much work.

 

[gpcollen1]

Cleaned mine warm just yesterday - brushed the creosote right down into the stove. Left a few coals in the stove + creosote + a bit of bark = fire once again.