Showerthought: The difference between a well-seasoned flue and a neglected one is actually crazy

I've been sweeping in Denver for about 5 years now. The other day I did a house where the owner had been burning exclusively seasoned oak for 2 years straight. The before and after on his flue was night and day - barely any creosote, just some loose soot. Then later that same week I hit a house where they burned whatever cheap pine they could find from the hardware store. That flue had a solid 1/4 inch of glaze buildup after just one winter. Same timeframe, same city, totally different results. Has anyone else noticed how much the wood quality changes how often you gotta sweep?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_coleman5d ago

Gotta disagree, the chimney and draft matter way more than the wood type.

fisher.thomas4d ago

Read a study once that said draft efficiency can drop 40% with even slightly wet wood, so both matter a lot.

fiona_hunt714d ago

@charles_coleman but even a PERFECT draft can't fix wet wood that smolders instead of burning.