I have been thinking about getting the soot eater but was wondering if I could just open the bypass damper and go straight up the flue. Maybe I am under thinking this, is there more i need to do? I checked the chimney yesterday and there is just a thin coat of brownish ash, no major creosote. this is my first full year burning and just want to make sure I am doing it as safe as i can with 2 kids in the house. Thanks in advance.