How To Clean Creosote From Your Wood Stove Pipes

As the cold winter air sets in, there’s nothing quite like snuggling up to a crackling wood stove and enjoying its comforting heat. However, along with the warmth and coziness, there comes a responsibility: the regular maintenance of your wood stove pipes. We’ll walk you through the details of how to clean creosote buildup, its risks, and, most importantly, the step-by-step process to effectively clean your wood stove pipes. So, whether you’re an experienced stove user or new to the world of wood heating, read on to learn how to keep your stove and chimney in top-notch condition for a safe and warm winter season.

Over time, the byproduct of burning wood, known as creosote, builds up in your stove pipes, posing not only a potential fire hazard but also reducing the efficiency of your wood stove.

At our house, this is a job for my own personal chimney sweep, my husband. He likes me to know what he’s doing and why, but I usually wind up in the way so I just pass him tools and empty buckets! He has taught the boys how to clean creosote from the stove pipe since it’s such an important task.

Cleaning wood stove pipe will help your stove burn more efficiently and be safer in general. Did you know, according to the EPA, nearly 7% of all home fires in the U.S. can be attributed to the build-up of creosote in stovepipes or chimneys?

If you live in a cold climate as we do, then you’re running your wood stove every day, probably all day. This can make us complacent to the reality of needing to maintain a schedule for stove pipe cleaning.

We put a mark on the calendar and use our phones to set reminders. Even though you’re using your stove every day, creosote is building up a little at a time in there. Knowing how to clean creosote is a lesson everyone with a wood stove must know.

How to Clean Creosote and Understanding Creosote Build-Up

Just how quickly creosote can build up in your pipes or chimney depends on a few factors.

1. The temperature outside
2. The quality and efficiency of the stove and pipes
3. The kind of wood you’re burning

Of these factors, the type of wood you’re burning plays a major role in the creosote buildup. Knowing the best wood to choose for clean-burning is just as important as knowing how to clean wood stove pipe of creosote because one directly affects the difficulty of the other.

Choosing The Best Wood To Burn

Obviously, some types of trees burn cleaner than others. They create less buildup and make cleaning creosote out of the pipes easier. The area you live in determines your options for the kind of wood you use. It’s important to safety and efficiency to only use seasoned wood in your wood stove or fireplace.

Besides the fact that green wood doesn’t put off as much heat, it also causes more creosote buildup quickly.  In our area, Tamarack is considered the top choice of wood because it has a long burn time and leaves little creosote in pipes. Because it burns so efficiently, it doesn’t leave much ash and the ash it does leave is fine and easy to clean out.

Dense hardwoods like maple and oak are higher in energy content so they provide more heat. They also burn longer than softer woods such as birch, pine, and spruce. These softer woods burn faster but produce less energy because they’re less dense.

In the deep south where I originate from, hardwoods such as oak are preferred. We would use softer woods in the spring and fall because it doesn’t get “cold” down there in those seasons which means we only need a little heat. Some wood stove installers have told me the combustion process in the newer stoves works so well you can use a wider variety of woods and receive good energy output.

Learn more about choosing the best trees for firewood.

Tips to Make Cleaning Creosote Easier

• Don’t burn a lot of “trash” in your wood stove. This is especially true of all that slick paper you get as junk mail and plastics.
  • Not only do they release dangerous toxins, but they can also coat the stove pipe with chemicals.
• Never burn wood that is painted or chemically treated.
  • I’m sure this is obvious to you, but the fumes these release are deadly. At the least, they can cause serious sinus problems.
• Do a morning “burnout”.
  • First thing in the morning, burn pieces of the driest wood you have that are 2″-4″ in diameter.
  • Open the stove vents all the way. Doing this will not only warm the area quickly, but it will warm the pipes loosening the creosote buildup from the past 24 hours.
  • We found doing this every morning significantly cut down creosote buildup and helped the stove run more efficiently.
• Use a chimney cleaning log.
  • We’ve found burning a chimney cleaning log once every couple of months and especially a few days before cleaning creosote from the pipes, makes the job easier.
• During the morning burnout or when you use a chimney cleaning log, use the opportunity to check the stove and pipes for any areas where smoke may be leaking inside the house and to see if creosote drips down the pipe inside the house.
  • Identifying these trouble spots will help you know where to focus when you are cleaning creosote from the pipes.

Tools You’ll Need When Cleaning Creosote

You may not need all of these but I wanted to share a good list with you of the tools you could expect to need in order to do the job safely and right. Your setup and type of stove will determine which you’ll need.

• A drop cloth or newspapers to protect your floor
• A chimney sweep brush
• Gloves
• Small hand brush
• Ash shovel
• Ash container to collect the ashes in for disposal later. We use a metal one.
• Your choice of glass cleaner and old newspaper to clean the glass door if you have one.
• Screwdriver to disconnect the stove pipe where needed.
• Ladder to reach the top of the stove pipe.

*Remember: The stove and pipe should be cool before you start cleaning creosote from them.

How to Clean Creosote From Wood Stove Chimney Pipe

• The first step is to climb onto the roof and inspect the pipe, area around the pipe, and pipe cap for any signs of damage and make any repairs needed. 

• Next, clean the pipe with your chimney sweep brush.
  • Be sure to check the instructions that came with your brush and your stove to see if there’s anything special you need to do before, during, or after you sweep the pipe. 

• Clean the pipe from the top so gravity will carry the creosote down into the stove. When you’re done sweeping, remove the ash and creosote from the stove using your ash bucket.

• If you run into any trouble spots or places that are hard to get past along the pipe, disassemble that section and check for buildup. It’s usually in the elbows where problems occur.

• Be sure to sweep out the ash pan compartment but don’t add the creosote to your ash bucket. Dispose of creosote in an area that isn’t near your garden or compost. If you’ve ever smelled burning creosote, you’ll understand the toxic nature of it.
  • If you want to add it to a burn pile be sure it is a small portion of the pile, the fumes are toxic.
• Most areas do not allow you to burn creosote or dispose of it in a combustible manner so if you live in town, be sure to check out the regulations.

We use our wood ashes in the garden and compost. Your poultry will appreciate it if you add them to DE for their dust baths. It’s important to empty or set the ash bucket in a safe area outside in case of cinders. You can read about the many ways to use wood ash.

I like a glass door on a wood stove. There’s just something entrancing about watching a fire burn. Being able to see the fire means keeping the glass door clean. Since the stove is cool and clean, now’s a good time to clean the glass.

FAQ For How to Clean Creosote from Wood Stove Pipes

What is creosote, and why is it a concern?

Creosote is a highly flammable, tar-like substance that forms when wood burns incompletely. It accumulates in the chimney and stove pipes over time, posing a fire hazard. If not removed, it can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of your wood stove.

How often should I clean my wood stove pipes?

The frequency of cleaning depends on your usage and the type of wood burned. As a general guideline, it’s recommended to inspect and clean your stove pipes at least once a year, preferably before the start of the heating season.

What tools and materials do I need to clean creosote from wood stove pipes?

You’ll need a chimney brush, extension rods, a flashlight, safety goggles, a dust mask, a drop cloth, and a shop vacuum is nice. Additionally, have a metal bucket on hand for collecting creosote debris.

Is it safe to clean wood stove pipes myself, or should I hire a professional?

If you’re comfortable working on a ladder and have some DIY experience, you can clean your wood stove pipes yourself. However, if you’re unsure or have a particularly complex or high chimney, it’s advisable to hire a professional chimney sweep.

How can I prevent creosote buildup in the future?

To minimize creosote buildup, burn seasoned hardwoods, maintain a hot fire, and avoid burning wet or green wood. Regularly clean and inspect your stove and chimney to catch creosote accumulation early.

Can I use chemical creosote removers instead of manual cleaning?

Chemical creosote removers can be effective, but they are not a replacement for manual cleaning. They work best as a preventive measure when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

What should I do with the creosote and debris I collect during cleaning?

Creosote and debris collected during cleaning should be disposed of safely. Place them in a metal bucket, be sure they’re cool before dumping them. If you live in town, there may be some regulations for disposing of it so be sure to check that out.

Are there any signs that indicate I should seek professional help for creosote removal?

If you notice heavy creosote buildup, damage to the stove pipe, or any structural issues with your chimney, it’s best to consult a professional chimney sweep for a thorough inspection and appropriate repairs. Safety should always be a top priority.

Wrap Up

Maintaining clean, creosote-free wood stove pipes is not just a matter of convenience but a critical step in ensuring the safety and efficiency of your wood-burning stove. By following the steps and guidelines we’ve shared, you can take charge of this essential maintenance task with confidence.

Now, you know how to clean creosote from wood burning stove pipes for safety and efficiency. Do you feel like a pro?

A special thank you to my own personal chimney sweep for all his input into this article.

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