As most know after so many lingering debates, I normally use a Rutland steel chimney sweeping brush.
This summer, I saw a poly brush and said, ah to hell with it, gonna try it.
I was lazy again this year and just cleaned the liner a week or so ago, (forget) when we had a balmy, stifling 38 degree day.
I carry the step ladder up on the roof as usual, with my two 6 packs of rods, the screw gun to loosen and remove the cap, and the poly brush this time.
It takes more time to carry all the crap up there than to sweep the dame thing.
The cap & 2' of pipe outside the old flue were pretty caked, which I kind of expected, because I burned a lot of crap wood and less than desirable wood this fall.
So i put the poly to work, giving the steel a rest this year. From what I read in the past, I expected the poly to be a lil tighter than the steel, especially when I got down to the 5' flex section at the bottom.
To my surprise, the poly was a much looser fit, which actually made for more work for me, more wiggling, turning and trying to get a good scrap of the bristles against the interior of the pipe.
In my case, the poly also did not clean as well as the steel does. leaving a very thin black coating, almost like a stain on the inside wall of the piping.
The steel would leave not spotless, but no single layer, just a few brush scrub streaks etc.
Now maybe it is better not to get as close as the steel does, for fear of wearing the piping or protective layer/coating etc. But definitely gets cleaner and closer.
I will see what it looks like next fall, and try the poly once more. if the outcome is the same. I may stick with the poly just to keep from scratching the interior of the pipe for fear of exposing it to more wear & tear & premature corrosion. Maybe I'll use the poly, but every 3rd year or so just send the steel down to give a good fresh thorough clean. Who knows.
All in all, the piping looks great inside, which at season 4 it should. Everything is tight and looking good.
In my own opinion, either does a decent job, the steel a bit cleaner. Not sure what damage the steel would cause after years. Maybe some, maybe none. Honestly, I think using either, the liner will still outlast me.
This summer, I saw a poly brush and said, ah to hell with it, gonna try it.
I was lazy again this year and just cleaned the liner a week or so ago, (forget) when we had a balmy, stifling 38 degree day.
I carry the step ladder up on the roof as usual, with my two 6 packs of rods, the screw gun to loosen and remove the cap, and the poly brush this time.
It takes more time to carry all the crap up there than to sweep the dame thing.
The cap & 2' of pipe outside the old flue were pretty caked, which I kind of expected, because I burned a lot of crap wood and less than desirable wood this fall.
So i put the poly to work, giving the steel a rest this year. From what I read in the past, I expected the poly to be a lil tighter than the steel, especially when I got down to the 5' flex section at the bottom.
To my surprise, the poly was a much looser fit, which actually made for more work for me, more wiggling, turning and trying to get a good scrap of the bristles against the interior of the pipe.
In my case, the poly also did not clean as well as the steel does. leaving a very thin black coating, almost like a stain on the inside wall of the piping.
The steel would leave not spotless, but no single layer, just a few brush scrub streaks etc.
Now maybe it is better not to get as close as the steel does, for fear of wearing the piping or protective layer/coating etc. But definitely gets cleaner and closer.
I will see what it looks like next fall, and try the poly once more. if the outcome is the same. I may stick with the poly just to keep from scratching the interior of the pipe for fear of exposing it to more wear & tear & premature corrosion. Maybe I'll use the poly, but every 3rd year or so just send the steel down to give a good fresh thorough clean. Who knows.
All in all, the piping looks great inside, which at season 4 it should. Everything is tight and looking good.
In my own opinion, either does a decent job, the steel a bit cleaner. Not sure what damage the steel would cause after years. Maybe some, maybe none. Honestly, I think using either, the liner will still outlast me.