- Nov 27, 2012
- 0
Question:
I have been burning wood for three years now, and keep my chimney fairly clean (at least I think I do). I have noticed on several occasions that large patches of soot are emitted from the chimney, as if it were cleaning itself. The soot is light and fluffy, dark brown to black in color. The chimney is stainless steel insulated. My friend has assured me that this is a normal behavior in woodstoves, but sometimes I wonder....
Answer:
Yes, those fluffy patches are burnt creosote. The tarry substance that coats the stovepipe interior walls is burned when you fire the stove hot. It then becomes very light, like ash, and drifts out the top of the chimney or settles down into elbow, tees and the stove collar.
I have been burning wood for three years now, and keep my chimney fairly clean (at least I think I do). I have noticed on several occasions that large patches of soot are emitted from the chimney, as if it were cleaning itself. The soot is light and fluffy, dark brown to black in color. The chimney is stainless steel insulated. My friend has assured me that this is a normal behavior in woodstoves, but sometimes I wonder....
Answer:
Yes, those fluffy patches are burnt creosote. The tarry substance that coats the stovepipe interior walls is burned when you fire the stove hot. It then becomes very light, like ash, and drifts out the top of the chimney or settles down into elbow, tees and the stove collar.
